Whether you’re new to the field of software development or you’ve been working in it for decades, you’ve probably heard about both agile and waterfall software development approaches. At first glance, they seem to be completely different, but upon closer inspection you’ll see that there are many aspects that they share. There are also plenty of differences between them, which I’ll touch on in this article. If you’re not sure which approach to go with, keep reading so you can learn how to pick the right one! Waterfall vs Agile.

What is Waterfall model?

Waterfall, also known as traditional project management is a sequential design approach to managing projects. Waterfall projects flow from one phase to another, following a set order: requirements definition, design, build and test. Waterfall projects differ from other model in that each phase begins only after completion of its predecessor. A new phase can’t begin until requirements have been gathered and approved, designs completed and approved and so on.

Advantages of Waterfall model

The greatest advantage of waterfall model is that it is easy to estimate, manage, track, report progress at every stage. Project expenses are also lower due to its step-by-step approach. The analysis can be completed easily at every stage. Each activity in a project should have a complete documentation before beginning any further tasks. It is useful for small projects which don’t require frequent changes or updates in requirements or features by client/user throughout completion of project. You can always hire software developers India for the development.

Disadvantages of Waterfall model

Waterfall Model is based on an assumption that you will be able to predict all requirements accurately. Its working may also depend on time and money. Waterfall model doesn't work well if we don't know what we want, we may lack information about our clients’ preferences, so we may fail to deliver what was expected by customer. Waterfall method is inflexible as it may not adapt to changes that occur as a project progresses.

What is Agile Software Development?

One approach to developing software is called agile. Agile methodology treats each feature/functionality of a product as a mini-project itself. This way, if one piece of functionality becomes delayed, other features can move forward instead of being halted for lack of progress on that one piece. In other words, it allows you to keep shipping—and getting feedback from users—without stalling out your entire business.

Advantages of Agile Software Development Methodology

There are many advantages to using Agile Software Development over waterfall. Since Agile focuses on developing only what is required at any given time, it allows for constant code integration without testing each component prior to combining it with other elements. This enables developers to get feedback much quicker, enabling them to make changes more quickly. This method also increases communication between all stakeholders; since everyone is included in each stage of development, there is less room for miscommunication or mistakes that lead to costly complications down the road.

Disadvantages of Agile Software Development Methodology

#1 Agility doesn’t work for huge companies with huge projects. Their project portfolio is too large to have a dedicated team on each project. They are more likely to have siloed developers who are not even familiar with other projects being worked on, especially if they belong to different departments, such as design and development. #2 Agile methodologies make it harder for developers to work together. When you break up a team into smaller ones and force them to work in isolation, people lose motivation and focus.

Conclusion

Waterfall is a project management methodology, while Agile is a collection of philosophies and methodologies to support product development. Understanding which approach would work best in your environment can mean big things for you and your business. There are benefits and drawbacks to both Waterfall and Agile; we suggest spending some time understanding each before making a decision with the help of a software consultant company.