Project Management Methodologies: Agile and Waterfall Comparison

This report delves into the realm of project management methodologies, specifically contrasting the Agile and Waterfall approaches. It begins by defining project management methodology and its crucial role in guiding project planning, execution, and completion. The report then explores the Waterfall methodology, emphasizing its structured, sequential approach, and the Agile methodology, highlighting its iterative, flexible nature. A detailed comparison highlights the similarities and differences between the two, including their approaches to client involvement, handling of changes, and team structures. The report concludes by relating the chosen Agile methodology and its processes to the project life cycle, emphasizing the importance of selecting an appropriate methodology for project success. References to relevant academic sources are included.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT 1
Project management methodologies
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Definition of methodology and the role it plays in project management
The methodology refers to the stringently described combination of the rationally affiliated
practices, techniques along with processes which figure out how you can plan, develop, and
manage in addition to providing of the project all through the continuous means of
implementation until successfully completing as well as termination (Charvat, 2003). The intent
behind the project methodology would certainly to let the control over the entire management
process by way of effective decision making as well as problem solving at the similar period
making sure the success of the particular practice, strategies, methods as well as technologies
(Kerzner, 2013). Furthermore, the methodology typically offer framework to explain each part of
detail, to allow the task supervisor who can understand what to accomplish to provide and also
implement the work based on the schedule, the budget offered and requirement of the customer
(Charvat, 2003). When it comes to the project management the methodologies acts as the
guideline throughout the project, where it provides one step to follow as well as targets to meet
the startup of the project and the completion. Moreover, methodologies are important because
they help to prevent any failure and help in the reduction of the risks (Kerzner, 2013). The
methodology offers tools which make the project manager work to be much easier. It contains
the definitions, guidelines, as well as template for different project management activities which
are needed in the delivery of the successful projects.
Project methodologies
Various project methodologies can be utilized to the project management basing on the scope
and the requirements of the project. The methodologies are agile and the waterfall.

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Waterfall methodology: The use of this waterfall methodology of the project management
focus on the use of the teams in the project which is an important aspect (Bowes, 2014).
Additionally, this methodology ensures that there has been establishment of the goals and they is
timeline which is established (Kerzner, 2013). Each team is provided with different assignment
of the project and they are accountable that they are completed.
Agile methodology: the use of this methodology aims at empowering of the teams. Moreover, it
encourage the involvement of the client to the project to enable any changes or risk that needs to
be made on the tasks (Bowes, 2014). The basic function of this methodology is that it improve
on the teams, and there is monitoring of the project all throughout the tasks where there is
responsiveness to the changes.
Comparison between the Agile and the waterfall methodologies
When it comes to the comparison of these methodologies it is important to understand that they
are both designed in order to place the framework of the structure over the development of any
new project (Kerzner, 2013). Moreover, both of these methodologies the owner of the project is
responsible in defining of the scope of the product and the team are responsible to realize the
goals are implemented to achieve on the project (Cicmil, Williams, Thomas & Hodgson, 2006).
Other similarities on these methodologies is that both result to the management of the project and
they are tailored depending on the needs of the clients. Additionally, it is important to note that
the methodologies use teams who play a significant role in the achieving of the project and these
individuals are greatly empowered.
The contrast of the Agile and waterfall methodologies

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When it comes to the Agile methodology it prefer that the client is present all throughout the
period of the project whereas on the other side the waterfall methodology does not require the
client to be always available but rather only at the milestone stage (Kannan, Jhajharia & Verma,
2014). Another contrast between the two is that the agile methodology generally welcomes on
any specific change, however these alterations arrives at a cost, or a schedule, and this could
work best when the scope is not identified yet (Kannan, Jhajharia & Verma, 2014). Alternatively,
with regards to the waterfall it generally functions whenever the scope continues to be
recognized in advance, or maybe when the terms of the contract is confronted with the minimal
alterations (Cicmil, Williams, Thomas & Hodgson, 2006).The last difference is that the agile
methodology prefers a small number of dedicated team who are coordinated well but when it
comes to the waterfall methodology it prefer the coordination of the team to be limited up to the
handoff point.
How to the chosen methodologies and the process relate to the project life cycle
The selected methodology along with the procedures for the task life cycle is the agile method. It
is essential to select on the life cycle which could work best for the process. This really is an
essential strategic selection given that generating on an alternativethat is misguided could lead to
outcomes that are devastating (Kannan, Jhajharia & Verma, 2014). The agile methodology
provide across the life cycle as well as support the fast paced development. This offers
organization an edge when it comes to the delivery of the various project. This choice continue
to be dependent on the adjustment which is prototyping and also offers the client with the much
better perspective of the project by regarding them in the act to ensure that adjustments could be
made where necessary.

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References
Bowes, J. (2014). Agile vs Waterfall: Comparing project management methods. internet:
http://manifesto. co. uk/agile-vs-waterfall-comparing-project-management-
methodologies, 17.
Charvat, J. (2003). Project management methodologies: selecting, implementing, and supporting
methodologies and processes for projects. John Wiley & Sons.
Cicmil, S., Williams, T., Thomas, J., & Hodgson, D. (2006). Rethinking project management:
researching the actuality of projects. International Journal of Project Management,
24(8), 675-686.
Kannan, V., Jhajharia, S., & Verma, S. (2014). Agile vs. waterfall: A comparative analysis.
International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research, 3(10), 2680-
2686.
Kerzner, H. (2013). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.