What is Agile Methodology and Advantages? What is difference between Waterfall and Agile methodologies?

In this article I will explain what Agile Methodology is and what advantages are available? And what is difference between waterfall and agile methodologies.

Agile methodology means cutting down the big picture into puzzle size bits, fitting them together when the time is right e.g. design, coding and testing bits.

Agile model believes that every project needs to be handled differently and the existing methods need to be tailored to best suit the project requirements. In agile the tasks are divided to time boxes (small time frames) to deliver specific features for a release.

Iterative approach is taken and working software build is delivered after each iteration. Each build is incremental in terms of features; the final build holds all the features required by the customer.

Advantages of Agile model:

§  Customer satisfaction by rapid, continuous delivery of useful software.

§  People and interactions are emphasized rather than process and tools. Customers, developers and testers constantly interact with each other.

§  Working software is delivered frequently (weeks rather than months).

§  Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication.

§  Close, daily cooperation between business people and developers.

§  Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design.

§  Regular adaptation to changing circumstances.

§  Even late changes in requirements are welcomed

Difference between Waterfall and Agile methodologies

• Scope of the Project: One if the main difference between Agile and Waterfall Model is about Scope. In Waterfall Scope is fixed at the starting of the project whereas in Agile Scope is collected at the start of each Sprint (Small Period in which releases are done)
• Project Cost and Budget: Cost and Budget of the project in Agile are tide to the Sprints. Whereas in Waterfall they are decided mostly upfront at the time of project initiation based on the overall scope of the project.
• Project Planning: Project planning is an extensive step of the Waterfall based model. In agile no such comprehensive project planning is done but planning also not absent in Agile projects but is divided into small sprints.
• Focus of Project Team: In Waterfall model, Project teams have focus on Documentation and Development whereas main focus of the project teams remains on the Development and Documentation is done bare minimum.