Agile vs Waterfall: the pros and cons of each method (2023)

Do you know the difference between Agile and Waterfall and have you thought about what would work best for your business?

Don't chase waterfalls - unless you're looking for a project management methodology. 😁 The waterfall method is a common framework that teams have used for years. But it's not the only way to do things, and it might not be the best method depending on your team's needs.

In this post, we covered the differences between agile and waterfall methods, including the pros and cons of each. We will also present a possible alternative called the hybrid method, which can offer the best of both worlds for specific teams.

Agile x Cascata

When it comes to Agile vs. Waterfall, these methods don't have much in common. In many ways, agility is the answer to the limitations of the commonly used waterfall method. However, there are definitely still pros and cons to each framework.

Let's look at these two methods in more detail.

The waterfall method

We'll start with the waterfall approach because it's a little easier to explain. While the idea of ​​a waterfall might seem majestic and bold, the waterfall method is quite traditional and uncomplicated.

The waterfall model is used to describe traditional project management, where a project plan is created by a project manager before work begins. Project requirements and tasks are planned in advance and given to the team, who then work on one task and then the next until the project is delivered.

Tasks are completed in the order they were defined in the original plan. The sequential order of tasks cascading from one to the next gives waterfall project management its name.

Waterfall is a widely used project management method, but it has its limitations. The rigorous approach helps teams know what to expect at each stage of a project, but it's not very adaptable and can lack input from the team as a whole.

This lack of flexibility has hurt modern teams. This makes it more difficult to shift gears if and when needed. A pre-determined plan doesn't leave much room for change and fails to adapt to invaluable feedback from stakeholders and customers.

waterfall professionals

• At the beginning, clear goals and objectives are defined.
• There is a direct structure that is repeated project after project.
• Team members can easily understand what is expected of them.
• The general pressure on employees is less.
• Training is easier, especially for new employees.
• Information is easily shared with all team members.
• Success is measured by completing tasks, leading to faster gratification.
• Budgets can be forecast more accurately.
• The end result of a project is clear from the start, so the path is clear for everyone involved.
• Most planning is managed by one person.

waterfall cons

• The process is not as flexible as agile approaches.
• It is difficult to foresee obstacles and dependencies that could delay the work.
• Work is not always distributed evenly across the team.
• A project overload is possible.
• Ephemeral teams can skip conflicts to get to the end of the project.
• It is difficult to change direction or scope once a project has started.
• There is less customer involvement throughout the design or development of the product.
• Stakeholders may not see progress until the end of a project or until a final product is completed.
• There is no initial testing phase to ensure a project or product is on track.

The agile methodology

Agileit is an iterative approach that emphasizes testing and tuning. It uses early feedback and stakeholder engagement to determine the best way forward. There's still a model with Agility, but it's not rigid or rigid, leaving plenty of room for adaptation and growth along the way.

The plan evolves as new information is gathered to ensure the end result meets the needs of customers and stakeholders. Adaptability is a big part of agile practices and this is what attracted so many teams to this methodology. The ability to adapt in the face of change is a highly sought-after strength today, given the pace at which change is occurring in technology, business, global markets and more.

agile professionals

• The whole team is involved in the planning.
• Feedback is at the heart of the process.
• Customers and stakeholders are involved.
• When it comes to decision making, the focus is on the customer journey.
• The team can adapt as new information is gathered.
• Changes can be made along the way to avoid roadblocks or stalled work.
• The capacity (workload) of each team member is continually assessed to prevent burnout.
• Longstanding teams continue to learn how to work together.
• Processes are continuously improved at all stages of the project/product.
• All voices on a team, regardless of role, are heard when it's time to come togetherRückblickOpinion.

Agile Disadvantages

• Agile techniques and terminology can be difficult to understand.
• It can take a while for teams to learn the right agile methods.
• Agile teams may not get the support they need from management and business owners.
• Not all team members may believe in the agile framework, leading to team disconnect.
• Lack of documentation can make details unclear.
• Budgets can become unpredictable if the project/product needs to go in a different direction.
• The scope of a project/product can continue to grow (scope creep).
• The manyagile meetingstake a long time.
• It is more difficult to find new employees who have experience with agile methods.

Agility is a broad term that encompasses many different frameworks that use agile practices. Lean, DevOps,Kanban, and Scrum are different forms of agility that serve different needs.

For example, the Scrum framework includes repetitive sprints, which are commonly used by agile software development teams. If you've never heard of Scrum, this can be a lot to digest. 🇧🇷

A Scrum lasts two weeks, starting withSprintplanung, when the product owner makes prioritization decisions about which backlog items (tasks) should be completed in the next sprint. From there, the team works on the defined tasks, guided by aScrum Masterleading daily meetings to keep everyone updated on project/product progress. Finally, at the end of the sprint, a sprint review and sprint retrospective takes place to ensure that the team continues to develop and improve.

Want to learn more about other popular agile methods? There are so many to choose from! we cover8 popular development methodsin a previous post.

The hybrid methodology

Does the choice have to be agile or waterfall? You might be thinking, can't we sum all these benefits together? That onenimble hybridApproach may offer the best of two words for some teams.

A hybrid model combines the valuable techniques provided by waterfall and agile frameworks. For example, you might start with a series of agile sprints for prototyping and gathering feedback, followed by a single action plan associated with non-agile techniques. It can be the best of both worlds and can serve as a stepping stone as a team tries to complete it.agile transformation.

A hybrid approach often comes into play with agile project management and other non-traditional agile applications. Agile was originally created for software development, but teams in all types of industries are continually adopting aspects of Agile. The agile methods observed by software developers don't always work for other types of teams. Agility can be a tough transition, especially when teams are used to doing things differently.

An approach that fits your needs

When choosing the approach that works best for your team, business or company, take the time to consider the needs of the team as well as your customers and stakeholders. Agility can be a tough transition, but if you feel the benefits will improve your processes and help your business in the long run, it might be time to make the switch. A hybrid approach can help you get there gradually without as many disruptions to your current processes.

Easy Agile is passionate about helping teams work betteragile tools built for Jira🇧🇷 If you want to learn more about agile and other methods, follow theEasy Agile-Blog🇧🇷 It's packed with guides, tips and strategies - and if reading the content isn't for you, we've got aPodcastFurthermore! 🇧🇷