Agile and Waterfall are two different methods that are used in software development. They are ways of development. The Waterfall method model is a well defined and is exactly as it’s described. It is a linear style model that starts from a starting point to an end point. The stages are: Analysis, Design, Construction, Testing, and Support. (Schwalbe, 2012) Agile on the other hand is a fairly newer term used to describe new approaches that focus on programming teams and business experts. (Schwalbe, 2012) It is the alternative to the Waterfall method.
Agile is known for being a simpler method for IT development teams to work on IT projects It can be summed up as small incremental sprints until an objective is met. The sprinting stages …show more content…
Because it is done in small bits at a time and with constant customer feedback, responding to feedback can occur in an easier manner. It allows the teams to be more flexible, because communication is open between the team and the customers when something needs to be changed. Because testing is a central part of Agile you can have test phases throughout the project from start to finish. This helps speed the project to market. (Mikoluk, 2013)
Even though speed and flexibility is important, you may have a client that wants a proven and not so risky method. Agile is considered a risky method because it takes a high level of time and energy from developers and can run longer than expected (Covalent Marketing, 2015)
This is where the Waterfall method comes in, because you still require it to be fast the Waterfall method still works. Because it has a “clear up front method that requires extensive planning you can launch software fairly quickly. It has the ability to estimate timetables and budgets more accurately, leading to happy clients.” (Mikoluk, 2013) The ability to have built up plans for different types of software development can be pretty handy. It’s provided structure can help milestones to be easily understood and has a great timeline that allows for easy time management. This great structure allows the Waterfall method to be understood by everyone. The Waterfall method is a tested and proven method that, can be trusted to be used with timelines and
Agile is known for being a simpler method for IT development teams to work on IT projects It can be summed up as small incremental sprints until an objective is met. The sprinting stages …show more content…
Because it is done in small bits at a time and with constant customer feedback, responding to feedback can occur in an easier manner. It allows the teams to be more flexible, because communication is open between the team and the customers when something needs to be changed. Because testing is a central part of Agile you can have test phases throughout the project from start to finish. This helps speed the project to market. (Mikoluk, 2013)
Even though speed and flexibility is important, you may have a client that wants a proven and not so risky method. Agile is considered a risky method because it takes a high level of time and energy from developers and can run longer than expected (Covalent Marketing, 2015)
This is where the Waterfall method comes in, because you still require it to be fast the Waterfall method still works. Because it has a “clear up front method that requires extensive planning you can launch software fairly quickly. It has the ability to estimate timetables and budgets more accurately, leading to happy clients.” (Mikoluk, 2013) The ability to have built up plans for different types of software development can be pretty handy. It’s provided structure can help milestones to be easily understood and has a great timeline that allows for easy time management. This great structure allows the Waterfall method to be understood by everyone. The Waterfall method is a tested and proven method that, can be trusted to be used with timelines and