Project Management Methodologies: Agile vs. Waterfall

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Added on 2024/07/12

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This report explores two prominent project management methodologies: Agile and Waterfall. It delves into their definitions, key characteristics, and advantages. A comparative analysis highlights their similarities and differences, emphasizing their suitability for various project types. The report further examines the relationship between these methodologies and the Project Life Cycle (PLC), illustrating how they align with different phases. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, project managers can make informed decisions about the most effective methodology for their specific projects.

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Project Management Methodologies
Assignment1
1

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Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Methodology......................................................................................................................................... 3
Methodology 1: Agile........................................................................................................................ 3
Methodology 2: Waterfall.................................................................................................................4
Comparison between Agile and Waterfall methodologies.....................................................................5
Relationship with PLC..........................................................................................................................6
 Relationship of waterfall with PLC:.......................................................................................... 6
 Relationship of agile with PLC.................................................................................................. 7
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................8
References.............................................................................................................................................9
2

Introduction
According to PMI (Project management Institute), the methodology can be understood a
system of techniques, process, rules, and process that is designed to make the process of the
project easier and project manager can use the project management methodology to manage
and control the project. Project management methodologies are of several types like SDLC,
Agile, Waterfall, PMBOK, and PRINCE. In this project, we have discussed two
methodologies, their comparison and their use in the process of project life cycle.
Methodology
According to Aston (2017), although project management methodologies are helpful to build
the procedures, rules and techniques of the project, it should be described in some more
essential that explains why we are using the methodology, so he suggested to include the
themes as well while choosing the methodology. While Westland (2017), explains that the
word methodology is just a process to describe how the project will start and what will be the
steps. He said that before starting the project, it is necessary that one should know about the
all project management methodologies and then select the right one. In analyzing both
statements, it has been evaluated that project management methodology is one of the
important parts of the project lifecycle. Here we discussed two important methodologies
which as waterfall and agile.
Methodology 1: Agile
Feduniak (2016) defined agile methodology as it was designed to reduce the drawbacks of
waterfall methodology. There are no proper stages because there are cross-related and there is
iteration process.
 Iterations: There are cycle and repetition of the product creation and each has included the
stage plan, examination, designing, developing, and testing of the project.
 Scrums: Scrums also known as sprints are basically short time intervals where there is a
division of every iteration. As the team sets the daily objectives, they controlled the
process according to the briefings. Each member of the project management team makes
the plan for the coming process and achievements of the last one.
3

Figure 1: Agile Methodology
Above figure represents the agile project management methodology. There are many
advantages of using agile methodologies such as it is very flexible because if there is any bug
during the process then it can be found in the middle, so we can easily solve it. Also, there is
complete transparency in all the processes means users can check the process of work at any
time as every part of the machine is in tune with another.
Methodology 2: Waterfall
According to Morse (2016), the waterfall model is the logical progressions of steps that
should be taken throughout the complete process of the project life cycle (PLC). It is actually
the constructing and manufacturing methodology. There are seven stages in waterfall
methodology which are shown in the below figure:
4
Agile
Planning
Designing
DevelopingImplementing
Evaluating

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Figure 2: Waterfall model
Although the process of waterfall model is slow, there are many advantages of using it for
managing the project like it can allow the early design modifications, adapts for shifting the
team, and suite for long distance focused development.
Comparison between Agile and Waterfall methodologies
Patterson (2018) defines the comparison between both agile and waterfall methodologies.
S.no
.
Similarities Dissimilarities
1 Both have the same objective to
bring the efficient quality product to
the project inappropriate manner.
Agile uses the iterative method while waterfall
uses the sequential method.
2 The building structure like resource
and schedule are similar.
Agile does the testing during the development
phase while the waterfall does the testing at
the end.
5
Initiation
Requirement
Analyze
Designing
Developing
Testing
Operations

Relationship with PLC
 Relationship of waterfall with PLC:
6
Initiation planning execution controlling close
Initiation
Requirement
Analyze
Designing
Developing
Testing
Operations

Above figure represents how the seven phases of the above methodology relate to the process
of project life cycle (PLC). As shown, the two-phase initiation and requirement works in
project initiation, designing in the planning phase, developing in executing part, testing in
implementing and operations sinclosure.
 Relationship of agile with PLC
Above figure represents the how above methodology has relation with the project life cycle and how
it works according to it. Like the above methodology has iteration process, so it repeats the phases
of project life cycle and performs each phase.
7
Initiation planning execution controlling close
Agile
Planning
Designing
DevelopingImplementing
Evaluating

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Conclusion
It is concluded from the whole report that methodologies should be considered while building
any project as it gives the idea of execution and also right methodology should be chosen.
There are different uses of agile and waterfall methodologies, so choose according to the
project requirement.
8

References
 Aston B. (2017) 9 Project Management Methodologies Made Simple. Retrieved from
https://thedigitalprojectmanager.com/project-management-methodologies-made-
simple/
 Westland J. (2017) Project Management Methodology-An Overview. Retrieved from
https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/project-management-methodology
 Feduniak O. (2016) Agile vs Waterfall Project Management: Which one to choose? Retrieved
from https://easternpeak.com/blog/agile-vs-waterfall-comparison/
 Morse A. P. (2016) Waterfall Model: What Is It and When Should You Use It? Retrieved from
https://airbrake.io/blog/sdlc/waterfall-model
 Patterson D. (2018) The key differences between Waterfall and Agile development. Retrieved from
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/the-key-differences-between-waterfall-and-agile-
development/
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Project Management Methodologies: Agile vs. Waterfall

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