Agile Vs. Scrum Vs. Kanban Vs. Waterfall: What’s the Difference?

Topic of Contents

Agile Vs. Scrum Vs. Kanban Vs. Waterfall: What’s the Difference?

Project management methodologies have become pivotal for effective project delivery across industries. As organizations face growing complexity and demand for speed, selecting the right approach, whether it’s Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or Waterfall, is more crucial than ever. 

According to project management statistics, around 71% of organizations use Agile to adapt to changing requirements, while Waterfall remains a staple for projects with fixed timelines and defined deliverables. Let’s explore each methodology, their strengths, and how to select the best one for your project’s needs.

An Introduction to the Four Methodologies

Let’s start off by getting familiar with the four methodologies we’re exploring.

Agile Methodology

Agile is a dynamic project management methodology emphasizing iterative development, flexibility, and team collaboration. Initially developed for software projects, Agile’s focus on customer-centric, adaptable processes has led to its adoption across various industries. Agile aims to enhance responsiveness by dividing work into manageable cycles, enabling teams to adapt to feedback and shifting priorities effectively.

How Agile Works

Agile organizes project work into sprints, or short, time-bound iterations (typically two to four weeks), where each sprint delivers incremental updates or features. These iterations allow teams to continuously refine their work based on client and stakeholder feedback.

Regular ceremonies, such as daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives, play a vital role. Stand-ups ensure everyone is aligned on daily goals, while retrospectives help teams evaluate past sprint outcomes to improve processes in the next cycle. This adaptable structure allows teams to address issues, adjust priorities, and refine the project as they progress.

Advantages of Agile Methodology

Let’s now take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of using Agile methodology.

 Advantages and Disadvantages of Agile Methodology
  • Speed: Sprint-based progress enables faster development and early product releases, providing immediate business value.
  • Customer-Centric: By incorporating frequent feedback from clients, Agile ensures projects better align with user expectations.
  • Flexibility: Agile is ideal for projects where scope and requirements may evolve, allowing for easier adjustments.

Disadvantages of Agile Methodology

  • Collaboration-Intensive: Agile’s success relies heavily on communication, making it challenging for teams with limited interaction, such as remote or distributed teams.
  • Scope Creep: Continuous client feedback and iterative updates can lead to excessive changes, potentially increasing project timelines and costs if not managed well.

Scrum Methodology

Scrum is a specialized framework within Agile that structures project tasks in a team-centered format. With a strong focus on defined roles and collaborative workflows, Scrum suits teams that thrive with clear task ownership and regular interaction. Its organized approach makes it ideal for fast-paced projects requiring continuous team coordination.

How Scrum Works

Scrum organizes work into sprints, typically lasting two to four weeks. Key roles include the Scrum Master (who ensures smooth workflow), the Product Owner (who prioritizes tasks according to business value), and the Development Team (who completes the work). Daily stand-ups facilitate quick updates, while sprint reviews help track progress and resolve any issues.

Advantages of Scrum Methodology

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using Scrum.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Scrum Methodology
  • Efficiency: Defined roles and time-boxed sprints help boost team productivity.
  • Accountability: Team members commit to specific tasks within each sprint, encouraging a sense of ownership.
  • Incremental Delivery: Regular, deliverable increments enable prompt customer feedback.

Disadvantages of Scrum Methodology

  • Burnout Risk: Scrum’s consistent deadlines can lead to team fatigue over time if not managed well.
  • Dependency on Team Dynamics: Effective Scrum relies on strong team cohesion, and issues with collaboration or communication can slow progress.

Kanban Methodology

Kanban is a visual project management method aimed at optimizing work processes. At the core of Kanban is the Kanban board, a visual tool that represents tasks as cards moving through stages such as “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.” 

This layout enables teams to visually track task progression in real time, fostering transparency and clarity in project workflows. Originally developed in manufacturing, Kanban has become a popular tool in knowledge work for managing tasks and improving workflow efficiency.

How Kanban Works

Kanban follows a pull-based system where tasks are started only when the team has the capacity to handle them. This limits work-in-progress (WIP), ensuring no new tasks are added until current ones reach completion. By setting WIP limits, Kanban helps reduce overload, prioritize tasks, and encourage steady work rates, making it an ideal approach for managing continuous, incremental workflows. 

For example, in a software development team, once a feature is completed and moved to the “Done” stage, the team can begin the next feature without disrupting the flow.

Here are some Kanban key principles.

  • Start with existing workflows: Kanban adapts to a team’s current processes rather than requiring major structural changes.
  • Respect roles: Team members maintain their roles while working within the Kanban structure.
  • Continual improvement: Teams continuously optimize their process for better productivity and efficiency.

Advantages of Kanban Methodology

Let’s dive into some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Kanban methodology.

 Advantages and Disadvantages of Kanban Methodology
  • Visualization: Kanban boards make task status visible, allowing everyone to see the progress and identify bottlenecks.
  • Flexibility: Suitable for various team sizes and industries, Kanban is easily customizable to different workflows.
  • Enhanced Focus: Limiting WIP reduces multitasking, allowing team members to concentrate on fewer tasks and enhance productivity.
  • Quick Adaptation: Kanban is flexible enough to respond quickly to changes without disrupting the existing flow.

Disadvantages of Kanban Methodology

  • Risk of Stagnation: Without strict deadlines, tasks may take longer than necessary, risking delays.
  • Lack of Structured Timelines: Teams that require a rigid schedule might find Kanban’s open-ended structure challenging, as it lacks the timeboxing seen in other methodologies like Scrum.

Waterfall Methodology

Waterfall is a linear project management methodology best suited for projects with well-defined steps and stable requirements. Each phase, such as requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance, is completed in sequence, making it ideal for projects with little need for flexibility.

How Waterfall Works

In Waterfall, projects move sequentially from one stage to the next. Each stage is dependent on the completion of the previous one, allowing teams to follow a structured flow. Industries like construction, manufacturing, and software development often use Waterfall when managing projects where changing specifications midway is difficult or costly.

Advantages of Waterfall Methodology

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing to use the Waterfall model.

  • Predictability: Clear phases and timelines allow for straightforward planning and tracking.
  • Clear Milestones: Defined checkpoints help maintain accountability and provide structure.
  • Comprehensive Documentation: Detailed records at each stage are valuable for projects requiring regulatory or compliance documentation.

Disadvantages of Waterfall Methodology

  • Inflexibility: Waterfall’s rigidity makes it challenging to adapt once a stage is complete, limiting responsiveness to evolving needs.
  • Long Feedback Cycles: Feedback typically arrives only after testing, which may lead to late-stage corrections that are harder and more expensive to implement.

Agile vs. Waterfall vs. Scrum vs. Kanban: Comparison Table

MethodologyStructureFlexibilityIdeal Project TypeKey AdvantageKey Disadvantage
AgileIterativeHighEvolving ProjectsAdaptabilityCollaboration Needed
ScrumSprint-BasedMediumShort DeadlinesFast ProgressTeam Cohesion Required
KanbanFlow-BasedHighContinuous WorkVisual TrackingNo Clear Deadlines
WaterfallSequentialLowPredictable, Stable ProjectsClear MilestonesNot Flexible

When to Use Scrum vs. Kanban?

Scrum is ideal for teams handling projects with set timelines and defined goals that can be broken into sprints of 1-4 weeks. Its structured approach, with specific roles and ceremonies, promotes accountability, regular progress tracking, and incremental progress. This is beneficial for projects needing regular assessment, such as software feature development.

Kanban, on the other hand, is suited for ongoing work and support tasks where tasks continuously flow, like maintenance or operations. Its visual task management allows teams to adapt to changing priorities without disrupting the workflow, making it useful for handling varying volumes and unplanned requests.

When to Use Agile vs. Waterfall?

Agile is best suited for projects characterized by evolving requirements and a need for continuous feedback. This methodology allows teams to iterate rapidly, adapting to changes based on stakeholder input. It’s ideal for dynamic environments, such as software development or product innovation, where user needs may shift frequently.

Conversely, Waterfall is appropriate for projects with fixed requirements, such as large-scale construction or manufacturing. In these scenarios, a clear sequence of stages is crucial, and changes mid-project can be costly and complex. Waterfall’s structured approach ensures that all phases are completed before moving on, providing a high degree of predictability and control over the project’s timeline and budget.

How Does Scrum Fit with Agile?

Scrum is a specific framework within the broader Agile methodology that enhances Agile’s iterative approach by introducing structure through defined roles, events, and artifacts. It operates in time-boxed sprints, typically lasting 1 to 4 weeks, allowing teams to deliver increments of product functionality regularly. 

This structured cadence helps teams maintain focus and accountability while still benefiting from Agile’s flexibility. By providing clear roles, such as the Scrum Master and Product Owner, Scrum facilitates organization and collaboration, ultimately leading to more efficient project management within Agile environments.

When to Use Kanban vs. Agile?

Kanban is ideal for teams that prefer a lighter, visual workflow without the strict iterations of Agile. It allows for continuous task tracking and prioritization based on current workload and demand. Kanban is especially effective in environments where work is ongoing, such as customer support or maintenance tasks, and where flexibility is key. 

In contrast, Agile is more suited for projects needing structured iterations and regular feedback, making it better for development projects with evolving requirements.

How to Choose the Right Project Methodology?

Choosing the right project methodology involves evaluating several key factors. Here’s a quick look at what you ought to consider. 

 Choosing the Right Project Methodology

1. Project Complexity: Assess the complexity of the project and the level of uncertainty. Complex projects with evolving requirements may benefit from Agile methodologies, while straightforward projects with well-defined steps might fit better with Waterfall.

2. Timeline: Consider the urgency and length of the project. Agile’s iterative approach allows for faster delivery, whereas Waterfall provides a more structured timeline.

3. Team Dynamics: Understand your team’s experience and preferences. Teams that thrive on collaboration may excel with Scrum, while those needing more visual management might prefer Kanban.

4. Client Requirements: Take into account client expectations for involvement and feedback. Agile methods facilitate ongoing client engagement, while Waterfall may suit clients who prefer less frequent updates.

Conclusion

Still not sure what to choose? Leave it to us. We at CrossAsyst have been at the forefront of building market-defining custom software solutions for our clients for over 12 years. 

Our team is well-versed with the latest technologies as well as methodologies, while having the expertise to adapt themselves based on the nature of the project. Our attention to detail, constant communication and commitment to the long-term success of our clients are some of the reasons we are a globally sought-after custom software partner. 

Book a meeting with CrossAsyst today to learn more.  

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the process to estimate budgets in Agile?

In Agile, budgeting is typically based on sprint cycles, considering the number of sprints needed to complete the project. It’s essential to factor in potential adjustments for scope changes that may arise during development, allowing for flexibility in budgeting.

2. What is the process to estimate budgets in Scrum?

For Scrum, budgets are estimated per sprint, taking into account team resources, capabilities, and the goals set for each sprint. This approach ensures that financial projections align closely with the work planned for the team during that cycle.

3. What is the process to estimate budgets in Kanban?

In Kanban, budgets can be estimated based on the task completion rate. This involves monitoring how many tasks are completed over a given period and adjusting for the continuous inflow of tasks, which provides a more dynamic budget estimation.

4. What is the process to estimate budgets in Waterfall?

Waterfall budgeting is typically structured per phase, aligning costs with clear milestones and fixed requirements. This method ensures that each phase of the project is financially accounted for before moving on to the next, providing predictability in budgeting throughout the project lifecycle.