What is the Difference Between Waterfall Methodology and Agile?

The main difference between the Waterfall methodology and Agile lies in their approach to project management and development. Here are the key differences between the two methodologies:

1. Workflow: Waterfall is a linear, sequential methodology, where each phase of a project depends on the previous one, and all requirements must be agreed upon before moving forward. In contrast, Agile is an iterative methodology that focuses on short increments and encourages feedback and adaptation during the development process.
2. Flexibility: Agile is more flexible and adaptive, allowing teams to respond quickly to changes during the development process. Waterfall is less flexible and resistant to change once the project's scope has been defined.
3. Testing: Both methodologies involve testing, but their approaches differ significantly. In Agile, testing is an integral part of each iteration, while in Waterfall, testing is typically done after all tasks have been completed for a specific phase.
4. Speed: Agile projects are usually delivered more rapidly than Waterfall projects due to iterative development cycles. Waterfall projects tend to take longer because all requirements must be agreed upon before development can begin.
5. Documentation: Agile relies on minimal documentation and focuses on self-organizing teams and collaboration. Waterfall, in contrast, relies more on documentation and takes a more structured approach.
6. Stakeholder involvement: Agile is better suited for projects where stakeholders are closely involved every step of the way, while Waterfall is a more structured project management method and does not lend itself to the same type of stakeholder collaboration.
7. Budget and timeline: Waterfall projects tend to have a more fixed budget and timeline, while Agile projects allow for more flexibility in terms of budget and timeline.

In summary, Agile and Waterfall methodologies differ in their approach to project management, flexibility, speed, documentation, stakeholder involvement, budget, and timeline. Agile is more adaptive and iterative, while Waterfall is more sequential and linear. The choice between the two methodologies depends on the specific needs and characteristics of a project.

Comparative Table: Waterfall Methodology vs Agile

Here is a table comparing the differences between Waterfall and Agile methodologies:

In summary, Waterfall is a linear, structured methodology that discourages changes once the project has started, while Agile is an adaptable and iterative approach that allows for changes throughout the project's life cycle. Waterfall has a fixed timeline, whereas Agile offers flexibility in time frames. Waterfall strictly assigns roles to team members, while Agile promotes collaboration and a self-organizing team structure. Agile planning is a continuous process, whereas Waterfall planning is done linearly at the beginning of the project.