A breakdown on the differences between Agile and Waterfall methodologies
It’s no secret that the most successful software development projects are well managed. In order to be successful, it takes a tremendous amount of training, time management, communication, and hard work. While there are many different software development methodologies utilized throughout the world, Agile and Waterfall are the two most popular and widely used methods of software development. What’s the difference between the two? Let’s take a closer look.
The Agile methodology is a more modern approach that is used often in software development companies, especially when working on larger projects with a flexible timeline and budget. As opposed to Waterfall where the process is very rigid, it’s expected that there will be several developmental steps and requirement changes, so Agile is flexible by design. Teams develop and release software in iterations instead of tackling an entire application step-by-step for the entire project.
Agile methodology begins with identifying requirements. As previously mentioned, this is understood to be flexible as it’s anticipated that the product will adapt and change throughout the developmental life cycle. Once requirements are laid out, teams identify what functions and features can be most efficiently developed in sync. Once organized, the steps of discovery, plan, build, and review are repeated through each iteration until the project is completed.
The Waterfall model is often considered the most traditional approach to software development. Waterfall works best when teams are working on tight deadlines with inflexible budgets and it’s known up front that there will be little to no changes in requirements throughout development. Taken as a true step-by-step process, teams follow a regimented guide from planning through deployment.
Waterfall methodology begins with a full analysis of all of the requirements needed so the end goal is fully understood. This is a research phase that involves no building. Once the analysis is completed and the project is accepted, the remaining steps are done in chronological order: design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Each phase must be 100% completed before moving on to the next phase, which can keep teams focused on the primary task at hand. This linear approach makes it easier for teams to understand and manage.
It’s clear that both of these methodologies have their benefits and drawbacks. This is why more and more companies are increasingly tackling projects with a hybrid methodology instead of focusing on just one method. Teams are able to benefit from the plus side of both, staying structured where needed and adaptable when necessary. To learn more about how CODE/+/TRUST can help you bring your idea to life, contact us today and set up an appointment.
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