Agile vs Waterfall Software Development Methods: 7 Key Differences

Agile and Waterfall are the two most prominent methods in the software development industry today. The two software development approaches are distinct in how they do the job, but they are both solid and offer the most practical way to finish a project as quickly as possible.

Because of the differences, developers sometimes can get confused as to which method is the best one for their software development needs. To help ease the headache, we’ll cover both methods, their pros, cons, and their biggest differences to help you decide: Waterfall or Agile.

Waterfall

The waterfall method is a software development approach that's famous for its emphasis on a sequential, step-by-step process to complete a project. Developers usually use this technique as it depends on meticulous planning, thorough documentation, and sequential implementation.

Pros

• Determining all the criteria upfront. Planning and design are made easier when clients and programmers agree on the deliverables upfront. When the scope of the task is determined in advance, monitoring progress becomes much simpler. It is much simpler for new developers to get on board when there is thorough documentation.
• Work is done in stages, one after the other. As soon as one stage of a project finishes, work on the subsequent stage may begin. The process is organized, and with well-defined milestones set up at the start of a project, it might be simpler to assess progress and manage dependencies.
• Testing is done after development is complete. The functional requirements are established at the conclusion of the product development process and serve as a reference for particular situations that make testing easier to plan and execute.
• Engagement from clients or stakeholders is not necessary. After the requirements phase, the only times a client must be present are for reviews, consents, and progress meetings.

Cons

• There is a lack of opportunity for stakeholders to provide input at the beginning of the project life cycle. If the customer isn't happy with the goods, there isn't much time or money to include their input and improve the final result.
• Less room to modify the course based on new information and lessons. Not everything works out the way you expect it to. Waterfall projects are not very adaptable because of their structure. When unexpected changes occur during execution, it might be challenging to adapt.

Agile

When creating software, an agile technique is a good way to keep iterating on both the code and the testing. Unlike the Waterfall methodology, this one allows development and testing to happen simultaneously. There is more interaction between management, testers, clients, and developers.

Pros

• Communication is more important than the processes. A project's success depends on its communication rather than its procedures. Teams using the agile methodology must be self-organized, meaning they can work together to make choices with little to no supervision.
• A working result is more important than focusing on every little detail. Instead of wasting time on establishing precise requirements that can change, there is a heavy emphasis on creating products that can be delivered faster.
• Instead of negotiating contracts, you work alongside the client. At its core, agile is about putting the customer first and fostering a collaborative relationship that lasts the whole project.
• Adapting to new circumstances rather than rigidly sticking to an existing strategy. At its heart, the agile framework is about responding to change and seeing it for what it is, not resisting it. This makes Agile a better choice for custom software development.

Cons

• One potential obstacle to efficient delivery is the possible lack of focus on the documentation, which is quite harmful in remote settings where asynchronous communication is key.
• While working together may help bring different perspectives to light, there's always the chance that it could lead to group decision-making, which might drag things out.

Top Differences

Now that you know the upsides and downsides of each method, it’s time for the main event. Let’s explore the biggest differences between waterfall and agile methodologies. We’ve listed 7 of them here. 

Team Member Responsibilities

In a Waterfall project, everyone in a software development company has a clearly defined job to play and is responsible for a certain set of tasks. On the other hand, you have a more decentralized and self-managing team structure with the Agile model because it focuses on teamwork and allows members to move forward.

The Roadmap

The planning phase of a project follows a linear pattern in waterfall methodology, and all project needs and goals are defined in advance. Agile, on the other hand, is an iterative approach that runs during a project's life cycle, allowing for changes in response to changing needs or new insights.

This is due to the fact that Agile prioritizes cooperation and self-organizing teams while relying on minimum documentation. However, the Waterfall methodology places a premium on meticulously documenting each phase to guarantee that every team member understands their role.

Change Management

Even when implemented properly, change requests may still be a hindrance to the project's progress in Waterfall. It takes a lot of time at the start to make sure the plan is correct, which means that any small or big change to the process is quite costly. In contrast, agile allows the development team to swiftly react to changing needs and is therefore more flexible in the long run. This is one of the main Agile’s benefits over Waterfall.

In an Agile methodology, people or small groups of participants engage in routine conversations on a regular basis. Waterfall methodology emphasizes formality in communication by having multiple parties review comprehensive communication plans and updates on progress.

Schedule

For projects with an extended duration and a clear deadline, the waterfall technique is the way to go. Every step of the project builds upon the one before it, leading to a logical progression from start to finish. On the other hand, agile allows teams to complete tasks in shorter time frames via small iterations, which enables them to alter plans over time and get quick results.

Speed

The reason why Waterfall projects take more time is because everyone has to agree on every need before development can start. Because agile uses continuous development processes, projects get done much faster. Agile lets you finish projects quickly because each version gives you a product that you can use. With waterfall, you have to finish everything before you can release the project.

Testing

Both Agile and Waterfall processes rely on testing, although they take quite different approaches to it. In order to find and fix problems as they arise, Agile developers use incremental testing. Testing in Waterfall typically happens at predetermined milestones, which are usually near the project's conclusion.

Budget

Budget estimates for these two approaches are quite different. Due to the many iterations that occur during the course of an Agile project, you can easily change the budget. Predicting costs with an Agile approach is extremely difficult. But, with the Waterfall strategy, there is a set budget, offering assurance and reliability. Since the Waterfall model makes few if any adjustments while in operation, you know the cost of every step right from day one. This is one of the most crucial differences between waterfall and agile methodologies.

Waterfall or Agile: Which Way to Go?

Which methodology is better, Agile or Waterfall? That depends on the project. Both are popular development methodologies for different industries, so if you pick the best approach for the job and get the right people, your business and your projects will flourish. Think about these things before you choose a method:

• What is the overall goal of the project?
• Who are the main players in charge?
• What is the budget?
• Do we need to make lots of changes? 
• Is it time-sensitive?

These things are very important to think about when choosing between these two options. The Waterfall technique works well when there is a deadline for presenting your work. When teams are only around for a short time, when there is a constant need for new members, and when relationships among teams are strong, the Agile method shines. Think about what you want to accomplish and see which of these methods will get you there.

FAQs

What’s the biggest downside to Agile?

Minimal resources. Instead of starting at the start of a project, the guides and briefs in Agile come during the project, frequently "just in time" for creating the product. Because of this, it gets less specific and is often put off.

Can you combine agile and waterfall?

A hybrid Agile-Waterfall strategy incorporates features of both the Agile and Waterfall frameworks. It combines the best of both worlds: the adaptability of Agile to meet evolving needs and the structure and documentation of Waterfall to keep projects under control.

When is Waterfall a better choice?

When there are strict guidelines in place, the waterfall technique is the best choice since it demands results for each step before moving on to the next.

When is Agile a better choice?

If your team is looking to move quickly, try out new directions, and not have a clear picture of the finished product before starting out, then agile is the way to go.

Which one costs less? Waterfall or Agile?

The exact cost of your project really depends on its scope and complexity, not just the software development method. But, overall, In most cases, agile projects are more cost-effective and can be completed faster. 

While it gives you more freedom, the results are less reliable because many aspects of the project are unsure and not well understood. In general, waterfall projects are more costly and require more time to complete. But, to get a more accurate estimate, you should contact the LANARS team with the specifics of your project.