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No two projects are exactly alike. Every project has its own unique requirements, timeframes, deliverables, and team structures that affect the outcome. Therefore, it’s important to know which methodologies and strategies will work best for whatever project is thrown your way.
Two of the most popular project management methodologies used today are agile and waterfall. Both are extremely popular, and there is a long-running debate over which system is superior.
However, I’d like to suggest that neither is superior to the other; actually, both methodologies have their benefits and drawbacks depending on the type of project you’re looking to plan and execute.
But before we get into that, let’s establish what both agile and waterfall are.
Agile methodology is a flexible style of project management that is useful for fast-paced and iterative projects. This methodology prioritizes individual responsibility, short timescales between deliverables, consistent communication, feedback, and sustainable development.
Agile was created with software development in mind, but it has crept its way into all kinds of industries, such as content marketing and IT project management.
I’ve written a guide providing an in-depth look into agile project management, where I explore everything you need to know, from scrum masters to software.
Some projects are experimental, while others require constant deliverables, such as marketing project management. Agile is the perfect project methodology in these circumstances thanks to the following advantages.
The go-with-the-flow mentality of agile gives project teams the freedom to try new things, but for some projects, this can create headaches.
Waterfall methodology embodies more of a strict, linear process for project management and execution. Everything is mapped out ahead of time in your project management plan and completed in a linear fashion that requires each phase to be completed before moving on to the next one.
This methodology also relies on project managers to collect any and all stakeholder expectations before development. Once that information is gathered, stakeholders are generally not consulted until the project is completed, at which point any concerns are addressed during a follow-up maintenance period.
The uncertainty of agile doesn’t bode well for some projects, and that’s where waterfall truly shines. There are two great advantages of adopting the waterfall model.
Making a plan and sticking to it through its execution is an age-old strategy that certainly has its merits. This adherence structure is helpful for projects that need it, but it also comes at a cost.
It’s clear that agile is more flexible, and waterfall is more rigid. Each methodology has its pros and cons, meaning these methodologies are better suited for different project types.
Agile is just that; it’s all about agility. It’s about the freedom to experiment, try new things, and make the necessary changes to a project on short notice. This methodology works best when:
Since the waterfall methodology is far more rigid than agile, it’s best suited for structured projects that are understandable and predictable. This system only works so long as:
To choose between agile and waterfall methodologies requires that you know the type of project you’re working on, the structure of your team, and the breadth of knowledge you and your stakeholders share during the ideation phase.
If your project needs are somewhat vague from the start, or your stakeholders are counting on needing additional deliverables in the future, agile is likely a better fit for your team.
However, if the needs of your project are clearly defined from the beginning, and your team members are confident in their ability to deliver, the waterfall methodology will provide a clear path forward.
No matter which methodology you choose, you should always follow the project management basics in order to successfully deliver what you promise to your stakeholders.
Now that you understand the difference between agile and waterfall, you can decide which one is best for you, your team, and your project.
If you’re looking to learn more about project management, from the five project management steps to project management software, there’s so much more we can offer you here at The Ascent.
If you enjoyed this guide, here are a few other instructional pieces that’ll help you improve as a project manager:
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