Agile and Waterfall Teams

Agile and Waterfall are currently two most popular software development methodologies. The time of their origin is different. So are their main principles. In this article we will tell you about the difference between Agile and Waterfall teams, their roles and methods of work. But before doing that it is necessary to say a few words about each popular software development methodology.

Waterfall originated in the 1950s. That is why it is often called the traditional method of software development. It is based on three main principles: low degree of customer involvement, strong documentation, and sequential structure. These principles were borrowed from the traditional model of hardware development as Waterfall originated.

Agile methodology originated at the beginning of 2000s in response to the disadvantages of Waterfall. Agile projects are characterized by strong customer involvement, and iterative structure. They are flexible and able to meet the changing requirements of the client.

Agile and Waterfall team practices are connected to the principles of these methodologies. They are totally different. Waterfall teams are large. They have strict structure and lots of roles like analysts, testers, developers and managers. Each team member is responsible for a certain stage of work. A manager in Waterfall projects is the real leader. He is the main person, responsible for the results of the project.

Agile teams are usually small. That is why their members are interchangeable. Each developer is a tester and an analyst at the same time. There are no formal leaders in Agile teams because they are self-managing. All issues of their projects are solved through communication inside of the teams. Many Agile teams include representatives of the customers. They take part at all team meetings and estimate the intermediate products.f