Agile-Scrum and the Waterfall Model

...

Scrum Model vs Generic Agile Models

The agile model does not consist of specific steps or stages and most organizations look for a model with easily defined steps when developing product. Therefore organizations turn to more specific methods within the agile movement like the scrum model. The Scrum model is an incremental agile software development method. “Scrum is a simple set of roles, responsibilities, and meetings that never change. By removing unnecessary unpredictability, we’re better able to cope with the necessary unpredictability of continuous discovery and learning (James, 2015)”. A scrum consists of three roles: scrum master, product owner, and a development team. Within the Scrum model a sprint is used as a basic unit of development which typically last one to two weeks. At the beginning of a sprint there is a planning meeting in which tasks are identified and a goal is set. At the end of each sprint a review meeting is held in which the progress of the product is reviewed and a game plan is created for the next sprint moving forward. The scrum model

Differences between Waterfall and Agile Models

“Agile is based on the adaptive software development methods whereas the traditional SDLC models like waterfall model is based on predictive approach (SDLC-Agile Model, n.d., para. 10).” Within the waterfall approach there is a lot of planning and teams typically have a complete forecast of the exact features and tasks that are to be completed throughout each phase. Since it is hard to back track once a phase is completed the waterfall model relies heavily on the planning done at the beginning. In the event that changes need to be made it must be submitted “through a strict change control management and prioritization (SDLC-Agile Model, n.d., para. 11).” On the other hand the agile model does not require detailed planning. Clarity on future tasks are given with regards to specific features that are needed for development. In order to eliminate the possibility of future failures a product is tested often within the agile model. “Customer interaction is the backbone of agile methodology, and open communication with minimum documentation are the typical features of agile development environment (SDLC-Agile Model, n.d., para. 11).”

Conclusion

The waterfall method and agile/scrum methods are both equally efficient software development life cycle approaches. Both methods achieve the same results but have different methods of getting to the end result. Which method is used by a company is based off of the company’s preference. Both methods have pros and cons and dependent upon the type of product or project at hand a company can choose which method is best suited.

References

James, M. (2015). Scrum Methodology. Retrieved December 11, 2016, from http://scrummethodology.com/

T. (n.d.). SDLC - Agile Model. Retrieved December 11, 2016, from https://www.tutorialspoint.com/sdlc/sdlc_agile_model.htm

T. (n.d.). SDLC - Waterfall Model. Retrieved December 11, 2016, from http://www.tutorialspoint.com/sdlc/sdlc_waterfall_model.htm

...