The Difference between Agile & Waterfall

The Difference between Agile & Waterfall


Both Agile and Waterfall are two of the most prominent software development methodologies used for ERP projects to deliver high value products in the least time possible. However, despite a common goal, they use different approaches to get the projects done. While Agile follows an incremental approach to get things done, Waterfall uses a sequential design process.

Both are viable methods used in project management but in different ways. Waterfall uses a traditional approach which can be rigid at times and where the whole development process is divided into a series of events starting from conception and all the way through to production. Agile, on the other hand, is newer than Waterfall and uses an incremental approach to lean development.

Waterfall is more like plan-driven which see analysis, design, coding, implementation, and testing as different phases of a software development project. It works well when scope of the project is known beforehand, but it limits changes thereby restricting adaptability. Agile, as a modern approach, is open to changes comes at a price of course, but it works well when scope of the project is unknown.

Agile begins with a simple project design, starting with small modules over a set period of time. The phases of development process run parallel with regular feedbacks and a backlog is maintained to keep tabs on the progress. On the contrary, Waterfall is a sequential process which doesn’t oversee the progress of the project. A developer can only jump to the next step after successfully completing the first step because it follows a sequential approach

Contract terms in Agile methodology allows partial success of the project thereby decreasing risk of failure. As a modern approach, it prioritizes process based on value which requires valuable features to be implemented first thereby reducing the risk of unusable product. Waterfall, on the other hand, is all about the “all or nothing” approach which increases the risk of failure because it limits the partial success of project.

Agile
  • Takes an interactive approach that is derived from lean thinking and it allows changing the scope of the project and it allows changing the scope of the project
  • It works well when the scope of the project is unknown
  • it allows changes to be made as it starts with a simple design which decided into small modules
  • customer availability is important through the entire project
  • it allows partial success as valuable features are implemented first thereby decreasing risk of failure
  • Products are tested throughly for bugs and errors during the development cycle.
  • It provides flexibility to oversee the development project

Waterfall
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  • it takes a sequential approach to software development where a project is divided into different phases
  • it works well when the scope of the project is known beforehand
  • the contract terms won't allow changes to be made as the process is sequential
  • customer availability is required only at set milestones
  • it doesn't allow partial success which increases the risk of failure
  • testing cannot be done during the development cycle, but only at the end
  • flexibility is limited as products are based upon documented requirements

Both Agile and Waterfall are the two most popular software development methodologies used in ERP projects, but they follow different approaches to serve a common goal; that is to deliver the required product in the least time possible free of bugs and errors. Agile follows a more incremental approach to software development which provides the flexibility to oversee the progress throughout the development cycle. Waterfall, on the other hand, does everything sequentially starting from conception and initiation to implementation and maintenance. Developers can only proceed to the next phase after successfully completing the first phase which restricts changes thereby increasing the risk of failure. Agile allows changes to be made during the development cycle which decreases the risk of complete failure.



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