Discover How to Choose Between the Traditional (Waterfall) and Agile Methodologies to Successfully Manage Your Projects!

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Introduction

Project management is the foundation of an organization's success. Among the most common approaches, we distinguish:

• The traditional methodology (or Waterfall), suitable for linear and predictable processes.
• The Agile methodology, ideal when flexibility is needed and continuous improvement must be driven in a changing context.

1. Traditional Methodology (Waterfall)

• Sequential phases: each stage (specifications, design, development, testing, deployment) occurs before moving on to the next.
• Heavy documentation from the start: formalized requirements and specifications, difficult to modify later.
• Expensive to go back: correcting a poorly defined requirement during testing causes significant delays and additional costs.

2. Agile Methodology

• Iterative cycles: development in short cycles (sprints of about 4 weeks), with each iteration delivering and inspecting a product increment.
• Continuous feedback loop: after each iteration, feedback is collected from users and stakeholders to adjust the project's course.
• Light documentation and continuous prioritization of the backlog.

3. Comparison of the Two Approaches

Conclusion

• Opt for Waterfall if your project is strictly defined from the start, with few expected changes, and you need strong visibility on costs and timelines.
• Choose Agile if you need to embrace change, work closely with your stakeholders, and deliver value quickly and regularly.