WATERFALL vs. AGILE
A lingering question in many of our minds- When do I follow Waterfall and When do I take the Agile path?
Well, there is no one-size-fits-all – what fits my needs might not fit yours! The traditional Waterfall methodology can still be fit for some programs depending on their conditions.
Now let us look at this with an example.
Say, we are renovating a kitchen. Let us see when we adopt Waterfall versus when we take the Agile path.
When do we go the Waterfall way?
Here are the parameters:
- I know exactly which appliances I need – what brand, dimensions, pattern, also I have already decided on the colors of my cabinets, cooktop, shelves and wall.
- My budget is fixed.
- Now, the work is predictable and the outcome is already known.
- I have received an estimate from my renovation company that it will take 3 months for them to complete the renovation, and I would not be able to use my kitchen until it is ready. And, I am fine with the wait too.
This typically fits very well with Waterfall. It operates in phases – requirements, design, implementation, verification, deployment and maintenance. The requirements are locked at the end of requirements phase, design at the end of design phase and so on. Changes to them cannot be incorporated after being signed-off. So, there is very limited room for innovation and feedback.
After 3 months, if I am not happy with an appliance or color, it is hard to change, and extra time and budget will need to be kept aside for changes. It may leave me a little disappointed. On the other hand, if I was fully aware of what I needed, I may be very happy with the outcome – it is indeed a success taking the Waterfall way.
Now, when do we take the Agile path?
Here are the parameters:
- I want to renovate the kitchen iteratively and I do not wish to wait for 3 months – I want to start using my kitchen as soon as a part of it is built.
- My MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is clear. I want my cooktop with chimney to be ready first so I can start cooking. Then, I want my refrigerator set up so that I can start storing vegetables and milk. Next critical item for me is my sink and my slab, followed by my cabinets and shelves.
- I want to provide consistent feedback and want to innovate as things are getting built.
Now, after my cooktop with the chimney is ready and I start cooking, I notice that the slab area I initially thought of might be smaller, and it would be good to have a longer one – I can always incorporate this change in Agile. If I feel it would be beautiful to include a wallpaper, I can always ask my designer to add it to the list of items. Through Agile, we can accommodate new ideas and learnings, which will certainly make me very happy with the end result.
And not to forget, I get to use my kitchen through this process as and when an item is ready – I do not have to wait for the full kitchen to complete.
So, pick what suits your organization the best based on your conditions. There are successful implementations in Waterfall and Agile. Do not pick Agile because your competitor uses it, or it is the buzzword. Choose diligently based on your Company’s parameters.
Remember one size does not fit all!