Comparison of Agile and Waterfall Methodologies

Approach: Agile is iterative and incremental, while Waterfall follows a linear, sequential process.

Flexibility: Agile is highly adaptable to change, whereas Waterfall is more rigid, making changes difficult once the project is underway.

Project Phases: Agile operates in cycles (sprints), with frequent reviews and adjustments. Waterfall divides the project into distinct phases, such as analysis, design, development, and testing.

Customer Involvement: Agile requires continuous customer feedback throughout the project, while Waterfall typically involves customers only at key milestones.

Delivery: Agile delivers work in smaller, frequent releases. Waterfall results in a single final delivery at the end of the project.

Risk Management: Agile addresses risks as they arise during the project. Waterfall identifies and mitigates risks early in the planning stages.

Documentation: Agile focuses on minimal documentation, prioritizing working software. Waterfall emphasizes detailed documentation up front.

Best Suited For: Agile is ideal for projects that are complex or have evolving requirements. Waterfall is better suited for projects with clear, stable requirements from the start.