Project Management Methodologies: Waterfall vs Agile XP Comparison

This report provides a comprehensive overview of project management methodologies, focusing on the comparison between Waterfall and Agile XP. It defines project methodology and its role in project management, then contrasts the two chosen methodologies across various aspects like flexibility, code ownership, documentation, team structure, and suitability for different project types. The report also highlights similarities between the methodologies and maps both Waterfall and Agile XP onto the project life cycle, illustrating how each approach aligns with different project phases from initialization to closing. The analysis includes a review of relevant literature to support the comparisons and conclusions.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGY
Project management methodology
Name of the Student;
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1PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGY
Definition of the project management methodology
Project methodology is defined by the process that defines the steps for the proper
compilation of the project (Alexandros et al., 2017). There are different methodologies those
are responsible for the proper compilation of the project. Different project methodology
follows the different approaches. However, all of these methodologies follows the steps
mentioned in the PMBOK. There are five steps mentioned in the PMBOK those are
necessary to be present in a proper methodolgy.
Role of project management methodology
The role of the project management methodology is to compile the project in such a
way that it would follow all the requirements of the clients (Alexandros et al., 2017). The
selection of the project management methodology is dependent on the type of the project. It
has been seen that the success of the project is dependent on the selection of right
methodology. The selection of the methodologies is dependent on the requirements of the
project. It is the responsibility of the project management experts to select the right
methodology for the compilation of the project (Alshamrani & Bahattab, 2015). As for
example, it can be said, for the construction project selection of the PRINCE2 methodology is
appropriate. While for the development of the complex software Agile methodology is
suitable.
Two methodologies chosen from the list
Two methodologies chosen from the list are-
Waterfall and Agile XP are the two chosen methodologies for the discussion.
Comparison between the Waterfall and Agile XP methodology
Difference between Waterfall and Agile XP methodology:

2PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGY
Agile XP Waterfall model
This methodology is flexible This methodology is rigid in nature.
The ownership of the code is shared by the
developers.
Each modules of the work is assigned to
each of the developers.
Different iterations are delivered before the
release of the final product.
After completing one module, the starting of
another module can be done.
The whole process is light and with less
documentation.
The whole process is heavy and the proper
documentation is required.
In this methodology, the cross trained
developers are needed to take the part
(Model, 2015). They have to be
knowledgeable about all the technologies
required for the compilation of work.
Particular module is assigned to the
particular developer (Alshamrani &
Bahattab, 2015). The developer has to be
knowledgeable for the implementation of
the functionality of that particular module.
Team meetings are done in a frequent way
among the developers for measuring the
progress of the project (Alshamrani &
Bahattab, 2015).
The meeting between the developers is done
only after the handover of the module from
one developer to another.
The process is suitable for the managing the
complex software development.
The process is suitable for managing the
small projects.
Feedback path exists in the process. There is no feedback path.
For understanding the different stages in
this method expert advice is needed.
The methodology is simple and can be
understood by the novice.
Similarities between Waterfall and Agile XP methodologies

3PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGY
Both waterfall and Agile XP model follow the steps for the project management
methodology mentioned by PMBOK (Alexandros et al., 2017). In both cases, there is a need
for the project manager for managing the progress of the project.
Mapping with the project life cycle
Figure 1: Waterfall Model mapped into project life cycle
Source: (Stoica et al., 2016).
Project life cycle are the processes or the stages through which a project goes during
the development phase (Stoica et al., 2016). The project lifecycle starts from the initialization
of the project
There are different steps in the waterfall methodology. It starts with the initialization
of the project that supports one of the phase in project life cycle. Apart from that in the
project lifecycle of waterfall model the planning and the design of the project is included.
After the execution of the project, the testing is done along with the deployment of the project

4PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGY
(Abrahamsson et al., 2017). The life cycle of waterfall model ends with the closing of the
project. This indicates that the stages in the waterfall methodologies can be mapped into the
stages of the project life cycle.
Figure 2: Agile XP mapped into project life cycle
Source: (Rajagopalan & Mathew, 2016).
The other methodology selected in this paper is Agile XP methodology. Like the
project life cycle stage, the agile project methodology starts with the initialization of the
project. The design and execution phase described in the project life cycle is done through the
different iteration in the agile XP methodology (Rajagopalan & Mathew, 2016). The
monitoring and the evaluation of the process is done in the agile XP methodology like the
project life cycle method.

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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.
Alexandros, N. K., Sakas, D. P., Vlachos, D. S., & Dimitrios, N. K. (2017). Comparing
scrum and xp agile methodologies using dynamic simulation modeling. In Strategic
Innovative Marketing (pp. 391-397). Springer, Cham.
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.
Model, W. (2015). Waterfall model. Luettavissa: http://www. waterfall-model. com/.
Luettu, 3.
Rajagopalan, S., & Mathew, S. K. (2016). Choice of agile methodologies in software
development: A vendor perspective. Journal of International Technology and
Information Management, 25(1), 3.
Stoica, M., Ghilic-Micu, B., Mircea, M., & Uscatu, C. (2016). Analyzing Agile
Development-from Waterfall Style to Scrumban. Informatica Economica, 20(4).