WHAT IS AGILE AND WATERFALL MODEL

 WHAT IS AGILE AND WATERFALL MODEL

Agile is for projects that require testing in every sprint, module of feature to assure the accuracy of the services or products it needs to deliver. The waterfall is more appropriate to projects that are well-known by the project team. 

Explanation:

                  Agile and Waterfall are both methodologies that can serve as a guide for the whole system or project's life cycle. Both can contribute a huge significance to a project if implemented properly and appropriately. However, these two methodologies are opposite in their development processes. Agile is iterative and incremental while Waterfall is sequential and linear. It means that Agile provides ways to make a significant change or the probability of committing errors is acceptable and can be remedied while Waterfall is otherwise. The waterfall will not allow any changes once the project starts. Therefore, goals, objectives and scopes must be properly planned and ironed before starting the project. With the characteristic of Agile to accept changes anytime, there can be a delay in the delivery of product however, it ensures product or service satisfaction among the end-users. On the contrary, Waterfall can achieve delivery of the project timetable but can have fair rating tendencies. 

                Another difference is that Agile divides the work into smaller projects (like sprints, features or modules) while Waterfall works to complete the whole project. The benefit of working in small particulars of the project is that it is tested properly ensuring the best product output. In this case, Waterfall may miss a significant aspect of the product especially if the specifications of the project are not well defined. In my opinion, use Waterfall when the project is very familiar or the team are experienced in working with a similar project. In this way, the assurance of product viability is high.

                Further, Agile provides opportunities to the whole team members in contributing their ideas for the project's success. An example of this is that test teams can be involved in the required change and the project team can work in the absence of the project manager. This offers a great opportunity for the whole team to grow and learn new opportunities. On the other hand, Waterfall is strict on the role of each team member. The test teams cannot be involved in requirement change and the project manager is the only one who directs the team in every phase of the project. 

                In conclusion, I recommend using Agile when the project has a longer timetable, the team is quite unfamiliar with the project and it is a crucial one (like a medical system) that requires 100% accuracy. Use Waterfall when the project is well planned and teams are experienced.