How does a waterfall approach differ from an agile approach?

The waterfall approach and the agile approach represent two fundamentally different methodologies for project management, particularly in software development.

The waterfall method is characterized by its linear and sequential process, where each phase of the project must be completed before the next one begins. This model follows a strict order: requirements gathering, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance. Once a phase is finished, revisiting it can be cumbersome, requiring significant effort to change course. This structured approach works well when the project requirements are well understood from the outset and do not change frequently.

In contrast, the agile approach is defined by its iterative and flexible nature. It allows for cycles of planning, executing, and evaluating that can adapt to changing requirements throughout the development process. Agile emphasizes collaboration and customer feedback, enabling teams to make adjustments based on real-world insights as the project evolves.

This inherent flexibility in agile methodologies ensures that development can respond effectively to new insights or changes, which may lead to a better final product that closely aligns with user needs. By embracing change and fostering an environment of continuous improvement, teams can iterate more rapidly and deliver increments of functionality at regular intervals.

Understanding this distinction helps clarify why the waterfall approach is suited for projects with clearly defined requirements, while agile is better for projects