If you’ve spent any time Googling software development – and you very well might have if you’re reading this article – you’ve likely come across the terms agile and waterfall. But what exactly do they mean, and which approach do we favour?
Let’s start with the what. Agile and waterfall are types of project management approaches. They’re not unique to the custom software space but are used extensively in our industry. In a nutshell, they are ways to structure a project to take it from a fun idea to a mind-blowing reality.
That may seem pretty mundane and not attention-grabbing, but the approach taken can significantly impact how your custom software project shakes out. If you’re looking to hire a development contractor, you should absolutely understand these methodologies and what they may mean for your project.
Waterfall methodology
As the name suggests, waterfall is a linear system, meaning that each project phase flows from a previous project phase (imagine the phases flowing like a waterfall). A great deal of upfront planning takes place to ensure a sensible project course is set from day one. However, this means that once the plan is set, the waterfall approach is very rigid and offers limited flexibility.
A waterfall project lives and dies by the goals and initial requirements outlined at the start of a project. If a client changes their mind, new information comes to light, or there is a misunderstanding in capturing the requirements, this can have serious negative consequences for the project.
Waterfall is the legacy approach, and at one time, all projects in our industry were managed this way. Here are the key pros and cons of the waterfall approach as we see them:
Waterfall pros
- There’s a solid plan and fixed timeline established at the outset of the project
- Workflow is structured as each project phase requires the completion of specific deliverables
- Clients can be hands-off if they wish (this can be a pro or con depending on your outlook and what you’re looking for)
- The development of a plan at the start of a project can save time
- Fixed budget
Waterfall cons
- As each phase follows a previous phase linearly, projects can take longer to complete
- Given a waterfall plan is set in stone at project launch, it offers limited flexibility and room for maneuver
- An issue might not present itself until a phase has been completed, which can lead to costly challenges as previous phases are revisited to identify the problem
- Project stakeholders must be firm on the project vision and goals at the project launch (easier said than done)
Agile methodology
As you can probably guess from the name, the agile methodology is much more nimble than the waterfall methodology. In fact, it was originally developed in response to the waterfall approach. Agile emphasizes flexibility, continuous improvement, and close collaboration between the client and the software development contractor to work on concurrent priorities.
In the agile approach, teams work in short sprints with short-term deadlines to incrementally develop the desired solution. The goal is to reach the MVP (minimum viable product) in the shortest amount of time.
Agile pros
- Offers a high degree of flexibility, allowing for more experimentation
- Multiple project phases can be tackled at once, offering greater efficiency
- Involves a series of ‘sprints’ – short-term deadlines that achieve particular goals
- Involves a high level of initiative and involvement from the client and their team (this can be a pro or con depending on your outlook and what you’re looking for)
- Sees the MVP (minimum viable product) delivered as soon as possible so clients have a greater opportunity to play and shape the finished product
Agile cons
- Given multiple phases can be tackled at once, there is the possibility of redundancies in certain tasks
- As an agile project has more flexibility and room for adjustments, it can be challenging to outline an accurate project timeline at launch
- With large teams, it can be challenging to keep everyone on the same page as deliverables can be adjusted and are not a set requirement to move from one phase to the next
- Flexible budget
Which approach do we favour and why?
At Findan Software, we believe in adventurous solutions for challenging problems. Since our launch in 2018, we’ve experimented and adjusted our approach to ensure we deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Our testing and research have led us to favour the agile approach when it comes to managing custom software development projects. As TLC said all those years ago, “Don’t go chasing waterfalls.” We had to test and make sure they were right, though.
In our world, things are constantly changing, and that is especially true in our industry. The agile approach enables us to be adaptable for our clients. With our agile approach, we continually communicate with our clients as the project evolves to see if and how they would like to proceed.
Running alongside the agile methodology, we have a pricing approach that enables us to set a ‘not-to-exceed’ estimated budget in collaboration with our clients. We also deliver a statement of work at the start of each journey to provide clarity. We stay in continuous communication with our clients and adapt as necessary as we work to provide a product we can all be proud of.
Custom software development is a grand adventure; with our experience, we can help you avoid the pitfalls and set a course to success.
Need a guide on your software development journey?
Based in Calgary, Alberta, and serving clients throughout North America, Findan Software is one of the few worldwide partners to be named an official Xerox Personalized Application Builder.
As a leading custom software development company supporting all kinds of companies across diverse industries, we understand that no two projects are the same. In addition to being trusted by global enterprise clients like Xerox, we’re also proud to support startups and small to medium-sized organizations as they embark on their software development journeys.
If you’re curious about how Findan Software may be able to help your organization, send us a note, and we’ll find a time to chat.
FAQs
How does the choice between agile and waterfall methodologies impact the overall project management approach, particularly in terms of adaptability, efficiency, and collaboration with clients?
The choice between agile and waterfall methodologies profoundly influences the project management approach in several key aspects. Agile methodology emphasizes flexibility, continuous improvement, and close collaboration with clients, allowing for more experimentation and iterative development. On the other hand, the waterfall methodology follows a linear progression, with each phase flowing from the previous one, offering a more structured approach but limited flexibility. The decision between these methodologies impacts adaptability to changing requirements, efficiency in project execution, and the level of collaboration with clients throughout the development process. That’s why we favour a somewhat hybrid approach, as noted above.
Can Findan Software provide insights into specific scenarios where they’ve successfully implemented the agile methodology and how it contributed to project success?
We have many examples of successful projects where we have utilized our specific approach to help create impactful results for our clients. Learn more about some of our projects by taking a look at our case studies, and of course, if you’d like to go even further, we’re always happy to chat.
Given the inherent flexibility of the agile methodology, how does Findan Software ensure transparency and accountability in terms of project timelines, budget management, and client expectations throughout the software development process?
To ensure transparency and accountability in agile project management, we employ several strategies. We maintain open communication channels with clients throughout the software development process, providing regular updates on project progress, challenges encountered, and any adjustments made to timelines or budgets. Additionally, we collaborate closely with clients to establish clear project objectives, milestones, and deliverables, fostering mutual understanding and alignment of expectations. By emphasizing transparency and accountability, we aim to build trust with clients and ensure that project outcomes meet or exceed their expectations.