Agile vs Scrum vs Waterfall vs Kanban: A Quick Comparison

If you want to build a new software solution, one of the most important factors you need to consider is the software methodology that best suits the scope of the project. However, to make that choice, you first need to understand the differences between different development methodologies.

Here’s a comparative study between four popular software development methodologies: Agile, Waterfall, Scrum, and Kanban.

Software Development Methodologies and How They Work

Before delving into the specifics, let’s understand what software development methodologies are and how they work.Software development methodology is a systematic approach to software development that provides a framework for planning, structuring, and controlling the process of developing information systems. It outlines the steps, activities, and tasks required to build high-quality software products.

A Look at the 4 Different Development Methodologies

Let’s now dive into the 4 different software development methodologies we are going to compare today.

Agile Methodology

Agile methodology is a flexible and iterative approach to software development that prioritizes adaptability, collaboration, and customer feedback. It is characterized by its ability to respond to changing requirements even late in the development process, allowing teams to deliver valuable features incrementally. Here are some key benefits and drawbacks associated with choosing Agile methodology:

Benefits of Choosing Agile Methodology

Adaptability and Flexibility: Agile’s strength lies in its ability to accommodate changes, making it suitable for projects with evolving requirements.
Faster Time-to-Market: The incremental nature of Agile allows for quicker releases, ensuring that valuable features reach users sooner.
Customer Involvement: Agile encourages continuous customer feedback throughout the development cycle, ensuring the end product aligns with user expectations.
Better Team Collaboration & Communication: Agile promotes regular communication and collaboration within cross-functional teams, fostering a cohesive working environment.
Productivity and Efficiency: The iterative development process in Agile leads to improved efficiency and higher productivity as teams continuously refine and enhance their work.
Reduced Risk: The incremental approach of Agile minimizes the impact of potential failures, allowing for early detection and correction of issues.
Increased Employee Engagement: Agile empowers team members by fostering a sense of ownership and engagement, contributing to a more motivated and productive workforce.

Drawbacks of Choosing the Agile Methodology

However, Agile comes with its own set of challenges.

Uncertainty for Fixed-Price Contracts: Fixed budgets may pose challenges in Agile projects due to the iterative and evolving nature of the development process.
Dependency on Collaboration: Success in Agile relies heavily on effective collaboration, and any breakdown in communication or teamwork can be detrimental.
Documentation Challenges: Agile’s emphasis on working software sometimes leads to inadequate documentation, which may pose challenges to maintaining a comprehensive project record.
More Time and Commitment: Agile demands continuous involvement from team members, potentially requiring more time and commitment compared to other methodologies.
Projects Easily Fall Off Track: The lack of a rigid structure in Agile may lead to projects deviating from the original plan, requiring careful management to stay on course.

Waterfall Methodology

Waterfall methodology is a traditional and linear approach to software development, where the project is divided into sequential phases, and each phase must be completed before moving on to the next. This structured method is characterized by a well-defined process that progresses through distinct stages, making it particularly suitable for projects with fixed requirements. Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks associated with choosing the Waterfall methodology:

Benefits of Choosing Waterfall Methodology

Clear Project Scope: The well-defined phases in Waterfall ensure a clear project scope from the outset, providing a solid foundation for development.
Predictability: Waterfall methodology offers predictable timelines and deliverables, making planning more straightforward for both the development team and stakeholders.
Documentation: Thorough documentation is a hallmark of the Waterfall approach, ensuring a comprehensive record of the project’s progress and decisions.
Client Involvement: Clients are involved at each phase of the Waterfall process, ensuring alignment with expectations and minimizing misunderstandings.
Well-suited for Small Projects with Fixed Requirements: Waterfall is particularly well-suited for simple projects with fixed requirements, where a sequential and structured approach is beneficial.

Drawbacks of Choosing Waterfall Methodology

Despite its advantages, Waterfall comes with certain limitations.

Rigidity to Change: Any changes requested after the initial phase can be challenging to implement in Waterfall, as the entire development process is sequential.
Late Feedback: Feedback from stakeholders comes late in the process, potentially leading to costly corrections or adjustments.
Long Delivery Time: The sequential nature of Waterfall extends the time needed to deliver the final product, which may be a disadvantage in rapidly evolving industries.
Higher Risk of Failure: Comprehensive planning in the early stages may not account for unforeseen challenges, leading to a higher risk of failure if issues arise later in the project.
Limited Flexibility: Adaptability to changes during the development process is limited, making Waterfall less suitable for projects where requirements may evolve.

Scrum Methodology

Scrum, a widely adopted Agile framework, revolutionizes the software development process by emphasizing collaboration, transparency, and adaptability. It operates under the Agile umbrella, offering a structured yet flexible approach to project management. Before delving into the benefits and drawbacks of Scrum, let’s briefly understand what Scrum methodology entails.Scrum divides the project into short development cycles called sprints, typically lasting two to four weeks. It promotes iterative progress, regular reassessment, and continuous improvement. Cross-functional teams work collaboratively to deliver high-value features in each sprint, ensuring a product that aligns closely with customer needs.

Benefits of Choosing Scrum Methodology

Adaptability and Flexibility: Similar to Agile, Scrum allows for adaptability to changing requirements, providing a responsive framework for dynamic projects.
Increased Collaboration: Cross-functional teams collaborate closely throughout the project, fostering effective communication and teamwork.
Customer Satisfaction: Regular reviews and feedback loops ensure customer satisfaction by incorporating user input at various stages of development.
Improved Transparency: Scrum enhances transparency through regular team meetings and updates, keeping all stakeholders informed about project progress.
Focus on Value Delivery: Scrum places a strong emphasis on delivering value to the customer, ensuring that each sprint contributes meaningfully to the project’s overall goals.

Drawbacks of Choosing Scrum Methodology

However, Scrum comes with its own set of challenges.

Learning Curve: Adopting Scrum may require time for teams to become proficient in the methodology, potentially affecting initial project efficiency.
Fixed Timeframes: Fixed sprint durations, while providing structure, can be limiting for certain projects, especially those with evolving requirements.
Dependency on Team Collaboration: The success of Scrum relies heavily on effective collaboration within the team. Any communication breakdown can impact project outcomes.
Limited Scope for Small Projects: Scrum’s comprehensive framework may be overkill for smaller projects, where a more lightweight approach might be sufficient.
Requires Active Stakeholder Involvement: Stakeholder engagement is critical for Scrum to be effective. Lack of involvement can lead to misunderstandings and project delays.

Kanban Methodology

Kanban utilizes visual boards, often in the form of Kanban boards, to provide a clear representation of the workflow. Work items are visualized as cards, moving through different stages of the process. Work-in-progress (WIP) limits help maintain a balanced workflow, preventing bottlenecks and overloading teams. Kanban’s focus on continuous improvement and adaptability makes it suitable for various work environments.

Benefits of Choosing Kanban Methodology

Flexibility and Adaptability: Kanban’s continuous flow model allows for flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities, making it well-suited for dynamic projects.
Visual Management: Kanban boards and work-in-progress limits offer a clear visual representation of the work, enhancing transparency and team collaboration.
Efficiency and Continuous Improvement: Kanban emphasizes efficiency through the continuous improvement of processes, making it a dynamic methodology that evolves over time.
Reduced Waste: Kanban aims to minimize waste in the development process by optimizing workflow and eliminating unnecessary tasks.
Suitability for Various Work Environments: Applicable across industries, Kanban is easy to adopt, making it a versatile choice for different types of projects. Source

Drawbacks of Choosing Kanban Methodology

However, Kanban has its considerations and potential challenges.

Lack of Fixed Timeframes: The absence of fixed iterations in Kanban can make planning challenging, particularly for projects that require a more structured timeline.
Less Emphasis on Roles: Kanban has fewer defined roles compared to other methodologies, potentially leading to ambiguity in team responsibilities.
Dependency on Visual Management: Success in Kanban relies heavily on the effectiveness of visual management. Inadequate visualization may hinder the smooth flow of work.
Risk of Over-Optimization: Constant optimization in Kanban may lead to overlooking the bigger picture, potentially sacrificing long-term goals for short-term gains.
Limited Structured Planning: Kanban may not be ideal for projects requiring highly structured planning, where a more defined methodology could be more appropriate. Source

Quick Comparisons

Here are some quick comparisons between these software development methodologies.

Agile Vs Waterfall

Criteria	Agile	Waterfall
Approach	Iterative and flexible	Sequential and rigid
Project Phases	Short sprints with continuous delivery	Sequential phases with defined milestones
Flexibility	Emphasizes adaptability to change	Limited flexibility
Planning	Quick adaptation to changing requirements	Prior planning with well defined project plan
Risk	Low risk due to adaptability	Increased project risk due to due to lack of flexibility
Customer Involvement	High rate of involvement	Low rate of involvement
Documentation	Higher focus on product function than documentation	High focus on clear documentation

When to use Agile vs Waterfall

Choosing between Agile and Waterfall methodologies depends on the nature of your project and your team’s needs. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide.

Use the Waterfall Methodology When:

Your Project is Sequential: Each phase must be completed before the next can begin, making it ideal for projects with a clear, linear progression.
You Need to Control Scope Creep: A structured approach minimizes changes once the project starts, which is beneficial for projects with fixed requirements.
You Value Detailed Planning: A comprehensive plan is essential before any work begins, making Waterfall suitable for projects where requirements are well-defined from the start.
You Want a Complete View: Understanding the entire development lifecycle before starting is crucial, especially in industries like construction or manufacturing.
Functionality is Key: Prioritizing a fully functional product over faster delivery aligns well with Waterfall’s structured phases.

Use the Agile Approach When:

You Prefer an Iterative Process: Agile allows for continuous improvements throughout the project, accommodating changes as they arise.
Speed is a Priority: Quick delivery of results is more important, even if it requires adjustments later, making Agile suitable for dynamic environments.
Your Team is Fast-Paced: Teams that thrive on moving quickly and adapting as needed will benefit from Agile’s flexibility.
Adaptability is Essential: Flexibility and the ability to respond to change are prioritized over strictly adhering to a set plan.
Customer Involvement is Critical: Agile fosters active participation from customers throughout the development process, enhancing satisfaction and alignment with their needs.

Agile Vs Scrum

Criteria	Agile	Scrum
Framework type	General iterative methodology	Special Agile framework with roles and rituals
Sprints	Short development cycles	Time-boxed sprints
Roles	No specific roles are enforced	Specific roles such as Scrum master, Product owner, Team, etc.
Structure	No rigid structure	Clearly define roles and responsibilities
Continuous Improvement	Embraces the mindset of continuous improvement	Focuses on continuous improvement though sprints

How Does Scrum Fit with Agile?

Scrum fits within Agile as a structured approach to implementing Agile principles, particularly suited for teams that benefit from clear roles, defined processes, and a focus on delivering value through iterative development.

Agile is a broad set of principles emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and iterative development. It’s a mindset rather than a specific process.

Scrum, on the other hand, is a concrete methodology that applies Agile principles through defined roles (such as Scrum Master and Product Owner), ceremonies (like sprints and retrospectives), and artifacts (such as the product backlog).

Both Agile and Scrum focus on iterative progress with short, time-boxed sprints, enabling teams to adapt to changes swiftly and deliver incremental improvements.

While Scrum is effective for smaller teams, it can be scaled for larger projects or organizations using frameworks like Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD), Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS), and the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).

Agile Vs Kanban

Criteria	Agile	Kanban
Framework type	General iterative methodology	Agile subset, visualizes tasks on a board
Views	Can use multiple project management views	Uses Kanban boards for views
Columns	Flexibility in board columns	Columns represent stages of work
Time-bound	Emphasis on short sprints	Flexible work stages
Adaptability	Quickly adaptable to changes	Flexible framework for dynamic processes
Project types	Suitable for all kinds of projects	Best suited for ongoing projects

When to Use Kanban vs. Agile

Here are some handy tips to help you decide when to use Kanban and when to use Agile:

Use Kanban When:

No Need for Iterations: Your project doesn’t require fixed development cycles or sprints.
Flexible Release Timing: You want the flexibility to release work at any time without adhering to a specific schedule.
Preference for Incremental Change: Your team prefers gradual improvements over major overhauls.
Visual Workflow: You benefit from visualizing the work process using boards to track tasks and progress.
Focus on Delivery Flow: You aim to optimize the flow of tasks and enhance efficiency in the delivery process.
Simplicity: You need a straightforward, easy-to-understand system that can be quickly adopted by the team.

Use Agile When:

Undefined Final Product: The end goal is not clearly defined, and requirements are expected to evolve over time.
Continuous Changes: Frequent changes are anticipated and need to be incorporated throughout the project.
Adaptive and Independent Team: Your team is adaptable, capable of working independently, and thinking on their feet.

Substantial Changes Needed: The project requires significant shifts in direction or scope, which Agile’s flexibility can handle effectively.

Choosing the Best Software Development Methodology

Prioritize project goals: Understand what your project values most. If you need flexibility to adapt to changes and feedback quickly, Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban are beneficial. On the other hand, if your project requires strict adherence to deadlines and budget constraints, the structured approach of Waterfall may be more suitable.
Consider client preferences: Take into account your client’s expectations and working style. Agile frameworks, such as Scrum, are ideal if your client prefers frequent updates and the ability to adjust requirements throughout the project. In contrast, Waterfall may be preferred for clients who prefer a clear, predefined plan from the outset with minimal changes.
Evaluate project scope: Assess the size, complexity, and predictability of your project. Agile methodologies excel in dynamic environments where requirements evolve over time. Scrum works well for projects with a clear, achievable goal within shorter time frames, typically a few weeks. Conversely, Waterfall is suited for projects with well-defined, stable requirements and a longer-term timeline.
Manage budget effectively: Consider your budgetary constraints and resource availability. Agile methodologies can be more cost-effective due to their iterative approach, allowing for adjustments without substantial rework. Waterfall, with its sequential nature, may require more upfront planning and budget allocation but can provide clarity on project costs from the outset.
Define project cycles: Determine the duration and structure of your project cycles. Agile frameworks, such as Scrum, operate in short, iterative cycles (sprints) that promote continuous improvement and responsiveness to change. This is beneficial for projects where rapid delivery of incremental improvements is crucial. In contrast, Waterfall divides the project into distinct phases (requirements, design, development, testing, deployment) with clearly defined milestones and deliverables, making it suitable for projects with a linear, predictable timeline.