Topic - Agile vs. Waterfall

Introduction - When a new project starts, one of the first decisions is which methodology should we follow? In business analysis, the two most common methods are Agile and Waterfall. Both are popular methods, but they work in completely different ways. Waterfall is an old and structured method, while Agile is modern and flexible. For a business analyst, it is important to understand both because the choice depends on the project type, requirements, and the client’s needs. Waterfall – The waterfall method is the traditional approach to project completion. It is a simple, structured, and sequential approach where the project is completed in clear stages. It follows a linear and step-by-step process where each phase has to be completed before the next one begins. This is why it is called a waterfall. In this method, the first task of a business analyst is to gather all requirements in detail before development starts, because once the project begins, it is not easy to make changes. Stakeholders are mainly involved at the beginning, and after that, the project team follows the plan strictly. The work usually happens in fixed stages such as 1. Requirement Gathering 2. System Design 3. Development 4. Testing 5. Deployment The benefit of the Waterfall is clarity and discipline. Every step is well-documented, timelines are clear, and the progress can be tracked easily. On the other hand, the disadvantage is the lack of flexibility. If requirements change in the middle of the project, it becomes very costly and time-consuming to adjust. Agile – Agile is completely different from waterfall. Instead of doing everything step-by-step, Agile is an iterative and flexible approach. It focuses on breaking the project into smaller cycles called sprints or iterations. The business analyst works very closely with the product owner, developers, and testers throughout the project. Stakeholders are also actively involved because they give feedback at the end of every sprint. The main benefit of Agile is flexibility and customer satisfaction. Changes are easier to manage, and the product keeps improving with feedback. However, the challenge is that it requires continuous involvement, good communication, and strong collaboration among all team members. Comparing Agile and Waterfall Planning: Waterfall requires detailed planning upfront, Agile allows flexible planning during the project. Documentation: Waterfall relies heavily on requirement documents, Agile emphasizes working product and discussions. Stakeholder Role: In Waterfall model, stakeholders are involved mostly at the beginning. In Agile, they are involved throughout. Change Management: Waterfall is rigid to changes, Agile welcomes changes at any stage. Delivery: Waterfall delivers the product at the end, Agile delivers small usable parts regularly. From this comparison, it is clear that Waterfall is better when requirements are stable, budgets and timelines are strict, and detailed documentation is important. Agile is better when requirements are uncertain, innovation is needed, and customer feedback is crucial. Which one is best? Agile is used more often because clients want quick results and flexibility. Still, Waterfall is not outdated—it is very useful where structure and planning are necessary.