What is the difference between agile and waterfall software development methodologies?

Difference Between Agile and Waterfall Software Development Methodologies

Agile and Waterfall are two popular software development methodologies that have unique approaches and differences. Here is a comparison between the two:

Agile Methodology:

• Flexibility: Agile is known for its flexibility and adaptability to changes throughout the development process.
• Iterative Approach: Agile follows an iterative approach where the project is divided into small increments and each increment is developed and tested separately.
• Collaboration: Agile emphasizes teamwork and collaboration among cross-functional teams to deliver customer-centric solutions.
• Customer Involvement: Customers are involved throughout the development process, providing feedback and ensuring their requirements are met.

Waterfall Methodology:

• Sequential Process: Waterfall follows a sequential approach where each phase of the project is completed before moving on to the next.
• Rigidity: Waterfall is known for its rigidity and less accommodating to changes once the project has started.
• Documentation: Waterfall requires extensive documentation upfront, outlining requirements and project scope in detail.
• Customer Interaction: Customer involvement is limited in Waterfall, with less opportunity for feedback during the development process.

Overall, Agile is better suited for projects where requirements are expected to change, while Waterfall is ideal for projects with well-defined and stable requirements.

Both methodologies have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between Agile and Waterfall depends on the specific needs and requirements of the project.