Project Management Methodologies: Waterfall vs Agile

This article discusses project management methodologies and their role in successful project completion. It compares Waterfall and Agile methodologies and their relation to the project life cycle. The article also provides an overview of the stages involved in the Waterfall model and the iterative process used in the Agile methodology.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Management
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Author Note

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Definition of Methodology:
A project management methodology can be defined as the analysis in theoretical and
systematic manner of the different project management methodologies that can be applicable
for a dedicated part of the whole study. Study which is done in the several different principles
and on the methods which are engaged with a knowledge branch ca be defined as the
theoretical analysis. The main goal of the project management methodologies is to mitigate
all the risk and the challenges that are associated with the project management activities like
phases, methods of tasks, tools and the techniques. In the computer science these
methodologies are used in the various areas to deal with the questions of a particular
discipline.
Methodology Role:
The primary objective of the project management methodology is to finish the
required tasks and it is also crucial for quick designing of the project. Challenges and the
risks that are associate with the project must be taken care of by the project management for
successfully completing the project. The project management methodology is applied
throughout the project life cycle. Project management methodologies is divided into many
sub stages. All the stages carry their own value for the completion of the project without any
kind of risks. In a systematic and integrated way, project management methodologies can
able to tackle various kind of projects (Kerzner & Kerzner, 2017). The projects are highly
beneficial because of using the project management methodologies. Using these
methodologies various levels of projects can be improved like operational, strategic and
tactical.

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Project Management Methodologies:
Waterfall:
Waterfall is one of the model which are used for a software development.
Waterfall model uses linear sequential method which is based on the design of engineering.
The waterfall model is divided into several stages. The development can only go further stage
if the previous stage is completed properly (Alshamrani & Bahattab, 2015). In the waterfall
model the whole task is divided into several stages. The stages of waterfall models are
requirement gathering and analysis, system design, implementation, testing, system
deployment and the final stage is maintenance. The waterfall model is very easy to
understand and easy to. Waterfall model is mainly applied in the small projects. The phases
of this model does not overlap each other. If the project requirement is properly cleared then
the waterfall model will work properly. Each phases of waterfall model has it’s own review
process and deliverables.
Agile:
Agile is a method of practice that is of continuous development process
iteration and in the testing phase of the software development life cycle. Development and
testing phase are not same as the waterfall model in the agile methodology. In this
methodology the processes are completed simultaneously (Abrahamsson et al., 2017). Agile
model is also known as the incremental model as the project that is developed by agile model
uses rapid incremental cycles. The main objective of the agile model is customer satisfaction
by the help of different rapid method. Software which is working is delivered every now and
then. Agile model does not emphasise on documentation and on designing. Agile method can

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be followed to develop a software when frequent changes will be made in the software
requirement.
Comparison between two methods:
The whole development phase is divided into many stage in the waterfall models
software development process. Development segregation of software project life cycle is
proposed by the use of agile methodology.
The difference between two methods:
The waterfall model is rigid as it use a methodology that is structured for the software
development. The approach of agile methodology is flexible.
Relation of the Chosen Methodologies to the Project Life Cycle (PLC):
In agile method sequential development process is not used as the methodology use
the iterative process. The requirements are changing in the recent time, so it is necessary to
have a approach that is flexible for the software development. New changes are included in
the agile methodology as the new technology. Which allows the total process to divide into
many sub stages. Because of these the project delivery gets quicker.
The main focus of the waterfall model is logical progression during the whole life
cycle of the project. The project developer can move forward to the next stage if only he
completed the previous stage successfully. If these steps are follows correctly so there will be
no error on the project. All the steps of the waterfall model need to complete accurately for a
successful project.

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Requirement
Analysis
An
Design
Coding
Testing
Maintainance
Fig: Created by author

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References:
Abrahamsson, P., Salo, O., Ronkainen, J., & Warsta, J. (2017). Agile software development
methods: Review and analysis. arXiv preprint arXiv:1709.08439.
Alshamrani, A., & Bahattab, A. (2015). A comparison between three SDLC models waterfall
model, spiral model, and Incremental/Iterative model. International Journal of
Computer Science Issues (IJCSI), 12(1), 106.
Gupta, D., Ahlawat, A. K., & Sagar, K. (2017). Usability prediction & ranking of SDLC
models using fuzzy hierarchical usability model. Open Engineering, 7(1), 161-168.
Hinde, D. (2018). PRINCE2 Study Guide: 2017 Update. John Wiley & Sons.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Snyder, C., & Dionisio, C. S. (2017). A project manager's book of forms: A companion to the
PMBOK guide. John Wiley & Sons.