Understanding Agile

Appendix A Agile and Waterfall compared

This appendix compares the Agile and Waterfall approaches in software development. It describes the differences in the actual processes, and also in the approach to planning and tracking.

A.1 Top-down structured approach (Waterfall)

Let’s briefly contrast the top-down, structured Waterfall approach with that of Agile. You may be surprised about some misconceptions regarding Agile.

In the Waterfall approach, shown in Figure A.1, the normal procedure is to:

• Say what we need
• Choose who will do it for us
• Develop it
• Test it
• Deliver it.

We will now examine these in turn.

Figure A.1 The Waterfall approach