How does a waterfall approach primarily differ from an agile approach?

The waterfall approach primarily differs from an agile approach in that waterfall follows a sequential design process while agile is iterative. In the waterfall model, each phase of the project must be completed before moving on to the next phase, which means that the process is linear and structured. Requirements are gathered at the beginning, and testing occurs after development is completed.

In contrast, the agile approach emphasizes flexibility and adaptability, allowing for iterative cycles through phases of development. Agile encourages continuous feedback and collaboration, where small, incremental changes can be made throughout the project, based on user feedback and testing. This iterative nature means that agile teams can refine and revisit various elements of the project frequently, adapting to changing requirements or client needs as they arise.

Recognizing these fundamental differences helps in understanding why specific methodologies might be favored in different project contexts, depending on the need for flexibility versus a structured sequence, and ultimately impacts project management effectiveness.