{"id":23255,"date":"2022-12-23T01:00:53","date_gmt":"2022-12-23T08:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/synergytop.com\/blog\/?p=23255"},"modified":"2025-01-09T07:04:26","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T14:04:26","slug":"project-development-methodologies-agile-vs-waterfall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/synergytop.com\/blog\/project-development-methodologies-agile-vs-waterfall\/","title":{"rendered":"Project Development Methodologies – Agile vs. Waterfall"},"content":{"rendered":"

Agile vs Waterfall – The battle has been on and raging for quite a while now. So which project development methodology – iterative agile or sequential waterfall – should you choose? Find the answers right here.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Plus, find more project management methodologies for you to choose from if these two don\u2019t fit your needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Software development is a process that requires a lot of investment. This investment is in terms of time, money, and of course, effort. To ensure the best outcomes, you need to adhere to well-defined processes in line with the software development life cycle (SDLC)<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These SDLC processes outline the various phases of development and showcase how a smooth transition will be ensured between the phases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now there are a lot of project management methodologies<\/strong> that you can use for your software development needs. These may also be used for web or mobile app development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Two of the most popular methodologies are Agile project management <\/strong>and Waterfall project management<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both have several advocates.
\n<\/span>Both have been used by several practitioners.
\n<\/span>And both have yielded successful results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So then you can pick either one with the toss of a coin and hope for sure shot success, right?
\n<\/span>No.<\/p>\n

The success or otherwise of a development project depends on the suitability of the project management methodology that you use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, it is important to pick the one that best meets the needs of your project and team.
\n<\/span>Below we have elaborated upon the two most popular methodologies – Agile and Waterfall – and compared the two on various grounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out the comparison to find the more suitable one for your business needs. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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What is the Waterfall Project Management Methodology?<\/span><\/h2><\/h1><\/span>
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Waterfall project management<\/strong> is a simple and straightforward method of project management. It is also sometimes referred to as the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).<\/span><\/p>\n

A linear cascading down process, the waterfall project management methodology<\/strong> mirrors the flow of a waterfall, hence the name.<\/span><\/p>\n

The waterfall methodology involves connecting tasks with dependencies. This means that to start any task, the previous task has to be completed first.<\/span><\/p>\n

This ensures clear, ongoing communication and the tasks stay on track.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who should use the waterfall methodology of project development?<\/b><\/p>\n

This waterfall project management methodology<\/strong> is best suited for larger projects. More so, when a lot of stakeholders are involved in tracking tasks. That\u2019s when progress is simple with W<\/strong>aterfall project management<\/strong>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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The Pros And Cons Of Waterfall Development Methodology<\/span><\/h3><\/h1><\/span>
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Below we will explore the pros and cons of waterfall project management<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Waterfall<\/span><\/div>
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What Is Agile Project Management Methodology?<\/span><\/h2><\/h1><\/span>
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Agile is no doubt one of the most popular project management methodologies<\/strong>. But in reality, it is less of a methodology and more of a principle. Nonetheless, experts (individuals as well as companies) continue to use Agile project management<\/strong> to achieve their development goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

An iterative and data-backed methodology, Agile uses a collaborative approach, which is both fast and effective. Further, it values individuals more than the processes.<\/span><\/p>\n

While agile project management methodology<\/strong> is popular, in terms of actual implementation, it is often combined with other methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, etc. to ensure a tangible plan and a well-rounded philosophy for project management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who should use the Agile methodology of project development?<\/b><\/p>\n

Almost any team can use the agile project management methodology<\/strong>. That\u2019s primarily because its principles are universal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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The Pros And Cons Of Agile Development Methodology<\/span><\/h3><\/h1><\/span>
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Below we have highlighted the Agile methodology pros and cons,\u00a0<\/strong>which will help you assess its suitability for your requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Agile<\/span><\/div>
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Agile vs Waterfall – Quick Comparison<\/span><\/h2><\/h1><\/span>
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Here\u2019s a quick comparison of the Waterfall and Agile methodologies<\/strong>\u00a0of project management.\u00a0<\/strong>This detailed project management methodologies comparison<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>will help you understand the difference between Waterfall and Agile methodology<\/strong> and which one is the most suitable project management methodology for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Agile<\/span><\/div>

Based on this objective project management methodologies comparison<\/strong>, the difference between Waterfall and Agile<\/strong> is now clear and you can select the right methodology based on your needs and not just on popular buzz.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Some Other Project Management Methodologies To Consider<\/span><\/h2><\/h1><\/span>
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Once you have understood the A<\/strong>gile methodology pros and cons<\/strong> and the pros and cons of Waterfall methodology<\/strong>, you should be able to understand which one is more suitable for you. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

However, if the two mainstream project management methodologies<\/strong> don\u2019t meet your needs, don’t worry. While Waterfall vs Agile <\/strong>is the most popular debate, there are several other project management methodologies that you can try for your software or app development<\/strong> project. Here are some options for consideration. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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1. Scrum<\/span><\/h3><\/h1><\/span>
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Scrum is a methodology that involves short sprints that are used to create a project cycle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n