Waterfall

vs.
Agile
in plain English

JONATHAN DONADO Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

 Waterfall
- Waterfall is also called the traditional project planning
method
- It relies on heavy up-front analysis and documentation of the
need and problems of the client
- A plan is formed and as a solution is constructed, it is
compared to the original plan
- The best methodology is the Systems Development Life Cycle
(SDLC):

Evaluation

Testing

Implementation

Design

Analysis

Jonathan Donado Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

 Waterfall

ADVANTAGES
It is easy to understand and manage as stages are
clearly defined
Meticulous record keeping and documentation
Client knows what to expect. Client will have an
idea of the size, cost, and timeline for the project.
Client will have a definite idea of what their
product will do in the end
In the case of employee turnover, waterfalls strong
documentation allows for minimal project impact

Jonathan Donado Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

 Waterfall

DISADVANTAGES
It often becomes rigid and resistant to change.
It relies heavily on initial requirements. However, if
these requirements are faulty in any manner, the
project is doomed.
The whole product is only tested at the end. If
errors are discovered late in the process, their
existence may have affected the rest of the project.
The plan does not take into account a clients
evolving needs throughout the project cycle.

Jonathan Donado Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

 Agile (part 1)

- Agile is method that breaks down a project into multiple

independent iterations. A set of iterations make a release of
the product to the customer.

Project
Iteration 1 Iteration 2 Iteration N

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Design Design Design Design

Implementation Implementation Implementation Implementation

Testing Testing Testing Testing

Jonathan Donado Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

 Agile (part 2)

- The project is dynamic and embraces change as it occurs during

the project
- Agile relies in the team as a whole for the decision making. There
is no hierarchy inside the team, and it is coordinated by a project
leader.
- Work is distributed by consensus, not by authority.
- Customer is heavily involved during the project. He participates
throughout the project to make sure that his requirements are
always met.
- Worked is delivered to the customer in small but frequent releases,
so it allows ongoing feedback.

Project
Iteration 1 Iteration 2 Iteration N

Jonathan Donado Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

 Agile

ADVANTAGES
It allows for changes to be made after the initial planning
stage. It follows clients requirements changes
It is easier to add features that will keep the product up to
date with the latest developments in the industry.
At the end of each sprint, project priorities are evaluated.
This allows clients to add their feedback, so that they
ultimately get the product they desire.
The testing at the end of each sprint ensures that the
errors are caught in each cycle.

Jonathan Donado Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

 Agile

DISADVANTAGES
This dynamic methodology is not suitable for processes
that required complex decision making or formal
planning such as construction or manufacturing.
As the initial project does not have a definitive plan, the
final product can be grossly different than what was
initially intended.

Jonathan Donado Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

 Waterfall vs Agile

Waterfall Agile
DISADVANTAGES
Formal and Hierarchical. Project Manager is in charge. Informal. Decision are made by the entire team.

Project is based on a repetitive number of iterations that

Project is based on one single cycle with the traditional
are in one cycle or release. The product has numerous
project management process
releases.

Anticipation: No changes throughout the project Adaptation: Embraces changes

Early planning and design is key to the success of the Product evolves with customer feedback. Product
project features are added as customers see it fit

Jonathan Donado Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

Lets stay in touch

Linkedin.com/in/jonathandonado

twitter.com/donadosays

www.branded.me/jonathandonado

Jonathan.L.Donado@gmail.com

Jonathan Donado
Bilingual senior general management executive
with expertise in international business and
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A).

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