Comparing Agile and Waterfall Methodologies in Project Management

This essay provides a detailed overview of project management methodologies, focusing on Agile and Waterfall approaches. It defines methodology in the context of project management and explores various types, including SDLC and PRINCE2. The essay elaborates on the Waterfall methodology, highlighting its sequential nature, advantages, and disadvantages, particularly its suitability for small projects and challenges in correcting errors in completed phases. It then discusses the Agile methodology, emphasizing its flexible approach, adaptability, and use in large, high-level projects, along with its benefits and drawbacks. A comparison between Agile and Waterfall methodologies is presented, noting differences in design approach, flexibility, project scope, and change management. The essay concludes by underscoring Agile's popularity and suitability for projects requiring speed and flexibility, emphasizing its core values such as continuous communication and customer involvement.

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Essay

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Project Management Methodology
The term methodology in project management was first coined in 1960s in the
business organisations. A methodology can be defined as model which is used by a project
manager for the successful completion of the project. It is a process which is theoretical and
systematic analysis of any research by using applied methods. The methodology is defined as
a strategy of research that helps the project manager in analysis of information is to be
undertaken (Baptista, Santos, Páscoa, & Sändig, 2016). A project manager can easily analyse
his project by using the methodology process in planning, analysis and implementation of the
project. There are large numbers of Project management methodologies but choosing the
correct method is a crucial component of a project planning.
Types of project management methodologies
There are many types of methodologies used in project management such as
a. Agile
b. SDLC
c. Project management body of knowledge
d. Waterfall
e. PRINCE2
Waterfall methodology
This is the one of the popular models of methodologies used in project management
and in practice for decades. The waterfall model has fixed phases and linear timelines. The
waterfall method mainly focuses on perfect planning and effective execution. The waterfall
model is very simple to execute in the project and easy to understand (Saxena & Upadhyay,
2016). The waterfall methodologies based on sequence. It means one task must be completed
before next starts. Every process of this methodology follows the sequence. Waterfall
methodology generally used for the small projects (Mahadevan, Kettinger, & Meservy,
2015). At the end of each phase a review process is taken place to measure the effectiveness
of the project whether the project is on right way or not.
Advantages of the Waterfall model
 It is very easy to understand.
 It is to use.

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 Suitable for small projects.
 Easy to manage because of its sequential process.
 Each phase starts the process when previous phase completed.
 Well standard process and outcomes
Disadvantages of Waterfall process
 Not Suitable for large projects.
 Processes of this model are less effective.
 To review the finished phase is difficult. If any error occurs in completed phases it is
not easy to correct the fault.
 Testing start when development process is over.
Agile methodology
Agile methodology is based on flexible approach where the focus of this model is on
adaptability in different situation. This method is more useful in production process where
management needs drastic shifts in team assignment (Serrador & Pinto, 2015). There are
many process taken into practice in this methodology such as DSDM, Crystal, extreme
programming, lean development, scrum, and FDD. The agile methodology model helps to
provide continuous testing and repetition in the software process. The agile methodology is
used for large and high-level projects (Binder, Aillaud, & Schilli, 2014). The main feature of
this methodology is that it provides both development and testing facilities in the project
management. The agile methodology allows more interaction among different stakeholders of
the projects such as customers, users, and managers.
Advantages of waterfall process
 The focus of this methodology is on customer’s process.
 Suitable for large projects.
 Self-organized and systematic process.
 It provides facility of the incremental improvement.
 It maintains the standard quality of development.
Disadvantages of waterfall process
 It is not suitable for small projects.
 It requires expertise and deep knowledge in decision making.
 Costly process.

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 It rigidly requires complete step by step process.
Comparison between Agile and Waterfall methodology
Waterfall methodology Agile methodology
It is a sequential design approach. It follows an incremental process.
It is quite rigid process. It is flexible process.
It is a single project. It is a group of many projects.
Process cannot change once the
development method begins.
Requirements can be changed at any step.
Test plain is not reviewed at the time of
development process.
Plan is reviewed after each step.
Agile methodology is generally one of the popular model in project management
methodologies. It is very useful for the project management because it promotes the
development iterations in the project life cycle. This model of project methodology involves
many software developments such DSM, Kanban, DAD, Agile modelling, lean software
development, scrum and extreme programming (Špundak, 2014). The agile model is suitable
for those projects that requires speed and flexibility both. At the end the core value of Agile
model can be elaborated as follows: construction, production, concept, and retirement phases,
project monitoring, developments of team, continuous communication, responsiveness to
change and encourage customer involvements throughout the project.

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References
Baptista, A., Santos, F., Pascoa, J., & Sandig, N. (2016). Project management
methodologies as main tool for current challenges in global economy driving
historical changes.
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approach for balancing agile and ISO 21500.
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Mahadevan, L., Kettinger, W. J., & Meservy, T. O. (2015). Running on Hybrid: Control
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System Development Environment.
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Saxena, A., & Upadhyay, P. (2016). Waterfall vs. prototype: Comparative study of
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