Agile vs. Waterfall: How to choose the right framework

Agile project management isn’t all donuts and coffee. It brings a set of advantages and challenges you’ll need to weigh.

Pros of Agile model

• Adaptability: Allows for easy adaptation to changes even late in the development process.
• Feedback: Continuous customer and stakeholder involvement ensures the product meets expectations.
• Risk management: Regular iterations allow for early identification and mitigation of issues.
• Fast time to market: Agile facilitates quicker product releases and adaptations.

Cons of Agile model

• Scope creep: The flexibility can sometimes lead to an expanding project scope without clear boundaries.
• Resource intensive: Agile often demands more time and resources for continuous management and iterations.
• Less predictability: The lack of a defined end-point can make it challenging to estimate timelines and costs.
• Overkill: Agile might be overwhelming for projects with well-defined requirements and minimal changes.

“Unfortunately, in their desire to be agile (with a lowercase a), many firms have attempted to do Agile (with an uppercase A). They have traded a goal for an orthodoxy—adopting the methods and certifications but not the theory behind them. And this is fatal.” — Aaron Dignan, angel investor

Agile methodology shines in environments where uncertainty and change are prevalent. Here are a few scenarios where Agile projects might make the most sense:

• Product development: The product might need to pivot or adapt based on user interactions and responses, especially when user feedback is crucial.
• Software development: Where technology and user requirements can change rapidly, and iterative development is key.
• Marketing campaigns: Agile can be beneficial in creating and adapting marketing ideas and strategies in response to shifting market trends.
• Innovation teams: Where exploring new ideas, testing, and iterating is crucial for developing new solutions or products.

The following well-known companies use Agile methodology:

• Apple
• Microsoft
• IBM
• Procter & Gamble
• Cisco
• Panera Bread

Waterfall has advantages and disadvantages you’ll need to consider before choosing the right methodology for your projects.

Pros of Waterfall model

• Clarity: Each phase has specific deliverables and a review process, making it easy to understand and use.
• Defined stages: Clear, structured stages make it straightforward to manage and allow for meticulous planning.
• Documentation: Comprehensive documentation ensures a clear record of all aspects of the project.
• Minimal scope creep: Defined stages and requirements minimize the risk of expanding project scope.

Cons of Waterfall model

• Inflexibility: Once a stage is completed, reverting or making changes becomes challenging and costly.
• Delayed testing: Testing is typically performed after the build phase, which might delay identifying issues.
• Resource intensive: It may require more resources, especially if changes are needed after the project progresses beyond the initial stages.
• Lengthy timelines: The structured nature might extend the project duration before any working model is produced.

While the Waterfall methodology originated in the manufacturing and construction sectors, it’s effective in various other use cases. It finds its strength in projects where clarity and predictability are paramount (and changes are minimal):

• Software development projects: Particularly when requirements are well-understood, and customer input is minimal post-launch.
• Event planning: Where each phase—such as booking vendors, securing venues, and sending invitations—follows a logical order.
• Supply chain management: In managing and optimizing a supply chain where each stage from procurement to production to distribution follows a set order.

Check to determine the requirements of your project or the product requirements document for your upcoming build. Will it require a more adaptive approach, or will the workflow follow a predictable, sequential order?

Also, take into account how familiar your current team is with the methodologies. Even if one approach might seem better on paper, it might not be the right fit if your co-workers don’t have the experience to execute it properly.

Agile might be a fitting choice for projects anticipating frequent changes and requiring a high degree of flexibility (especially with a development team that thrives in adaptive environments). However, Waterfall could be the go-to for projects with well-defined requirements and a team that excels in a structured, linear workflow.

The project management triangle of time, budget, and scope significantly influences the choice between Agile and Waterfall.

Agile allows for a more flexible approach towards these constraints, often enabling a quicker time-to-market with a minimum viable product (MVP). Waterfall might be more suitable for projects with a fixed scope and budget, where each phase is meticulously planned and budgeted for from the get-go.

Your chosen methodology needs to be in harmony with your business objectives and customer expectations. If you plan to rely on customer research and feedback for iterative improvements, you’ll want to opt for Agile. Waterfall will likely be the better choice if the project demands a robust, phase-dependent approach.