Transition from Waterfall to Agile, adoption or transformation?
When it comes to approaches in software development, companies often implement Waterfall or Agile methodologies to meet the needs of a project. Waterfall development refers to a more traditional approach where stages are completed linearly and the end result occurs when all stages are completed. In contrast, the agile approach initiates small, collaborative iterations within the process that allow team members to quickly respond to changes and produce rapid deliverables.
In recent years, the popularity of the agile approach has skyrocketed. More and more companies are moving from using the waterfall methodology to an agile methodology. When making the change, companies are faced with the challenge of how to introduce a new methodology. Is it better to gradually abandon the waterfall approach or dive straight into agile?
When a company gradually introduces new software development methodology, it is commonly known as “agile adoption”. In contrast, when a company takes a more aggressive approach, introducing agile as the new standard operating procedure, it is described as “agile transformation”. Whether a business chooses to transform or adopt, there will ultimately be a series of changes to project management and daily teamwork. With change comes challenge. A company implementing such a change must be aware of the inevitable challenges.
Considerations when adopting or transforming to Agile
When a company shifts from waterfall to agile software development approach, it can ultimately result in higher quality end products and more flexibility in the project at hand. However, when making the change, it is important to consider whether it is better to implement the change through adoption or transformation. Follow along to learn four considerations when making the switch from waterfall to agile:
1.Change of management – By implementing the agile approach, unlike the waterfall, project management does not come from the top down. Instead, team members are empowered and encouraged to self-manage and collaborate on project iterations. Instead of having a project manager, agile methods employ a scrum master who acts more like a coach or facilitator to help the project run as smoothly as possible.
2. Process change – Where the waterfall is largely based on a linear process where stages cannot progress until a section is complete, agile allows a team to work on the project at different stages simultaneously. Agile’s flexibility enables rapid response to change and supports testing at the end of iterations. With waterfall, a product is tested after the project is complete.
3. Uncertainty– When implementing the waterfall, a clear start and end point is established in the early planning stages. This reduces the amount of uncertainty that the programmers may face within the project. With agile, uncertainty is a common term that developers not only face on a daily basis, but are encouraged to embrace. Uncertainty allows programmers to work more fluidly and creatively, facilitating innovative problem solving during the project.
4. Culture Change – The agile approach to software development relies heavily on effective communication between all team members. This includes group leaders called “scrum masters” and product owners. The free flow of information during a project allows the team to resolve unexpected issues quickly and effectively. Implementing the agile approach implies that a company supports a culture of communication and the freedom of team members to explore new solutions and ideas. This is understood as critical to the overall success of the project.
When a company chooses to transition from waterfall to agile, it represents a huge shift in philosophy. Considering the main differences between the two approaches, a company’s culture can play an important role in determining whether adoption or transformation is adopted. Some companies may find it easier to implement a rapid transformation, while a gradual approach may better serve others. Regardless of how a company comes to agilethis special methodology is likely to have many long-term benefits.