Difference Between Agile and Waterfall

 Difference Between Agile and Waterfall Model 

 

Waterfall Model methodology which is also known as Liner Sequential Life Cycle Model. Waterfall Model followed in the sequential order, and so project development team only moves to next phase of development or testing if the previous step completed successfully.

 

Agile methodology is a practice that helps continuous iteration of development and testing in the software development process. In this model, development and testing activities are concurrent, unlike the Waterfall model. This process allows more communication between customers, developers, managers, and testers.

 

Waterfall project management is an approach that divides the SDLC to distinct phases such as requirements gathering, analysis and design, coding and unit testing, system and user acceptance testing, and deployment. The next phase can only proceed if the previous phase has been completed. In between phases, a deliverable is expected, or a document is signed off.

 

Agile development is a team-based approach that emphasizes rapid deployment of a functional application with a focus on customer satisfaction. It defines a time-boxed phase called a sprint with a defined duration of two weeks.

 

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.

 

Following the agile methodology, your project will move through a series of cycles throughout the lifetime of the project. The development phase, review, feedback, and then approval of the work item – either yes or no. If yes, implement and complete the task. If no, record and make any necessary changes, track, and adjust the backlog or prioritization to reflect the newly acquired knowledge, and then move onto the next task or sprint.

 

Following the waterfall methodology is a simpler process of moving tasks through the phases of defining requirements, designing the implementation, implementing the work item, verification of implementation and quality assurance, and then maintenance of the feature in the end.

 

Selecting the right methodology for your projects will depend on preference and the nature of each project. Some projects require a more iterative process and others require a more sequential approach.