Agile and Waterfall

 Agile and Waterfall

Agile and waterfall are two distinctive methodologies of processes to complete projects or work items. Agile is an iterative methodology that incorporates a cyclic and collaborative process. Waterfall is a sequential methodology that can also be collaborative, but tasks are generally handled in a more linear process.

Agile is more a set of principles than one methodology. Its principles are applied in other more specific methodologies such as Scrum, eXtreme Programming, Kanban, and Scrumban. It is a practice based on continuous iterations of development and testing where such activities can run concurrently. Agile projects are characterised by a series of tasks that are conceived, executed and adapted as the situation demands, rather than a pre-planned process.

Waterfall, on the other hand, is much more linear, focusing on up front planning with requirements fully defined before a project commences. Like its name suggests, work cascades, much like a waterfall, through different project phases. Each phase needs to be completed before the next one can begin.

 

Waterfall vs Agile Key Difference

• Waterfall is a Liner Sequential Life Cycle Model whereas Agile is a continuous iteration of development and testing in the software development process.
• In Agile vs Waterfall difference, the Agile methodology is known for its flexibility whereas Waterfall is a structured software development methodology.
• Comparing the Waterfall methodology vs Agile which follows an incremental approach whereas the Waterfall is a sequential design process.
• Agile performs testing concurrently with software development whereas in Waterfall methodology testing comes after the “Build” phase.
• Agile allows changes in project development requirement whereas Waterfall has no scope of changing the requirements once the project development starts.