When to Choose Waterfall Project Management Over Agile

When to Choose Waterfall Project Management Over Agile

Learning Mudra, Category - PMP

In such a fast-paced world, the things are changing pretty dynamically, and we all need something that will stick with us, and be a constant in this changing world. With the definition of work changing, and so is the description along with it, something that remains relevant and consistent in these changing times is much appreciated. With so many organizations around the world, and so many projects of these organizations, organizations need people to look after these projects. People who are skilled in this field, and can manage these big scale projects effectively, and for such people, having a particular certification is very much required.

It's difficult to manage big software projects. It's no easy task to deliver a product that meets your customers' needs in a stable and healthy manner. Every year, writers spill a lot of digital ink on the best ways to produce projects effectively. There are many ways of project management, with two of the most popular being waterfall project management and Agile project management. These two are among the oldest techniques of project management which have been in existence for the past 20 years or so. Both are used in different situations and when different outcomes are expected of the project.

What is Waterfall Project Management?

The older of the two is waterfall project management. It's a project management method in which all of the software's features are pre-planned. The project follows a predictable timetable from start to finish. Planning comes first, followed by customer acceptance, coding, QA, and finally publication. It's an excellent method for managing projects in which all of the criteria are known at the start. Waterfall Project Management allows a company to save on the cost in terms of resources and man hours that are put into a project, as with this type of project management, we already know what the expectations and the final results are.

The waterfall model is a linear project management technique in which stakeholders and customer expectations are gathered at the start of the project, and a sequential project plan is then developed to meet those requirements. The waterfall model gets its name from the way each step of the project cascades into the next, like a waterfall.And it works, it's a thorough, standardised approach that's been around for a long time. Construction, IT, and software creation are some of the industries that use the waterfall model frequently. However, the word "waterfall" is most often used in the sense of apps.

What is Agile Project Management?

Agile Project management technique is the newer one in comparison to Waterfall Project Management, and it is used in those projects, in which small to medium sized software development is needed. As in Agile certifications, a part of the project is completed and tested, and then the failings of that model are considered and rectified, it is a type of project in which each step of project is developed on an individual level, and then the final product is delivered. This type of Project Management comes into use when we have to deliver projects that are of high complexity level, and which need deep understanding and working.

The Agile theory believes in early and consistent value delivery through an organization.When the pressure to achieve is greater than the risk, Agile Project management focuses on achieving maximum value against business goals in the time and budget allotted.Collaboration is encouraged in the agile project, particularly with the customer.At regular intervals, the agile project reflects, observes, and adjusts to ensure that the customer is always happy and that benefits are delivered.Agile approach combines preparation and implementation, enabling a company to develop a working mentality that enables a team to adapt quickly to evolving needs.

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So, the question that arises is that which of these two is better, and in what scenario should one use Waterfall project Management and where should one use Agile Project Management. For projects that are defined and have a stable environment, and if resources are limited in nature, then Waterfall Project Management is the way to go with. And for projects in which requirements are dynamic in nature, and which needs regular stakeholder/customer feedback, then for such projects Agile Project Management is the way to go with.

As the saying goes, that customer is the king, and one needs to satisfy the customer in terms of the project that one is developing, so with changing times, the waterfall project management is mixing into Agile, and a hybrid is coming up. For more information on the hybrid model of project management, please visit us. Both these styles of project management have their own advantages and disadvantages, like any other thing in the world, but the thing that matters the most is that these two ways have proved themselves efficient and useful in the field of project management, and these both shall continue to be used efficiently!