Comparison between Agile model and other models in Software Engineering
Software development models are various processes or methods that are chosen for project development depending on the objectives and goals of the project. Agile is a popular model among these development models because it is flexible and adapts quickly to changes. It focuses on delivering small, usable parts of the software regularly, which allows for continuous feedback and improvements. This approach ensures that the final product meets user needs more accurately and is developed efficiently.
What is the Agile Model?
The Agile Model was primarily designed to help a project adapt quickly to change requests. So, the main aim of the Agile model is to facilitate quick project completion. To accomplish this task, agility is required. Agility is achieved by fitting the process to the project and removing activities that may not be essential for a specific project.
Agile Model
What is Waterfall Model?
The waterfall model is a software development model used in the context of large, complex projects, typically in the field of information technology. It is characterized by a structured, sequential approach to project management and software development.
Waterfall Model
Agile model Vs Waterfall model
| Agile model | Waterfall model |
|---|---|
| The agile model is an incremental delivery process where each incremental delivered part is developed through an iteration after each timebox. | The waterfall model is highly structured and systematically steps through requirements gathering, analysis, SRS document preparation, design, coding, and testing in a planned manner. These phases of the Waterfall model follow a sequential order. |
| While using an agile model, progress is measured in terms of the developed and delivered functionalities. | In the Waterfall model, progress is generally measured in terms of the number of completed and reviewed artifacts such as requirement specifications, design documents, test plans, code reviews, etc. for which review is complete. |
| With the agile model, even if a project is canceled midway, it still leaves the customer with some worthwhile code, that might possibly have already been put into live operation. | If a project is developed using the waterfall model is canceled mid-way during development, then there is nothing to show from the abandoned project beyond several documents. |
| The agile model allows to change the requirements after the development process starts, so it is more flexible. | The waterfall model is rigid, it does not allow to change requirements after the development process starts. |
| Customer interaction is very high. After each iteration, an incremental version is deployed to the customer. | Customer interaction is very less. The product is delivered to the customer after the overall development is completed. |
| The lack of proper formal documentation leaves ample scope for confusion and important decisions taken during various phases can be misinterpreted in fewer later phases. | In the Waterfall model, proper documentation is very important, which gives a clear idea of what should be done to complete the project and it also serves as an agreement between the customer and the development team. |
| The agile team consists less members (5 to 9 people), but they coordinate and interact with others very frequently. | In the Waterfall model, teams may consist of more members but the interaction between them is limited. |
| The agile model is not suitable for small projects as the expenses of developing small projects using it is more compared to other models. | This model is simple to use and understand but not suitable for developing large projects using the Waterfall model. |
| The testing is done simultaneously with software development. | After the Build Step, testing is done. |
| It is known for its versatility. | It is a systematic developing method, sometimes rigorous. |
| Testing is generally carried out in conjunction with the development phase. | The test approach is rarely used in this method. |
What is Exploratory Programming?
Exploratory Programming is an approach to writing programs in an unstructured way. Exploratory programming refers to an informal development style or builds and fix the style in which the programmer uses his own intuition to develop a program rather than making use of the systematic body of knowledge which is categorized under the software engineering discipline.
Exploratory Programming
Differences between Agile Model and Exploratory Programming
| Agile model | Exploratory programming |
|---|---|
| The agile model is an incremental delivery process where each incremental delivered part is developed through an iteration after each timebox. | Exploratory programming is an approach to writing programs in an unstructured way. |
| Agile teams, however, do follow defined and disciplined processes and carry out systematic requirements gathering, and rigorous design. | Exploratory programming does not follow the rules of software engineering and unstructured coding is done and tested. |
| The central idea of the Agile model is to deliver an incremental version to the customer frequently after each iteration. | Whereas, after coding the software is tested and the founded bugs are fixed. This cycle of testing and bug fixing continues till the software works satisfactorily for the customer. |
What is RAD Model?
RAD stands for Rapid Application Development. The RAD model is a type of incremental process model in which there is an extremely short development cycle. When the requirements are fully understood and the component-based construction approach is adopted then the RAD model is used. Various phases in RAD are Requirements Gathering, Analysis and Planning, Design, Build or Construction, and finally Deployment.
Rapid Application Development (RAD) Model
Differences between Agile Model and Rapid Application Development (RAD) Model
| Agile model | RAD model |
|---|---|
| The Agile model does not recommend developing prototypes but emphasizes the systematic development of each incremental feature at the end of each iteration. | The central theme of RAD is based on designing quick and dirty prototypes, which are then refined into production-quality code. |
| Agile projects logically break down the solution into features that are incrementally developed and delivered. | The developers using the RAD model focus on developing all the features of an application by first doing it badly and then successively improving the code over time. |
| The Agile team only demonstrates completed work to the customer after each iteration. | Whereas RAD teams demonstrate to customers screen mocks up and prototypes, that may be based on simplifications such as table lookup rather than actual computations. |
| The agile model is not suitable for small projects as it is difficult to divide the project into small parts that can be incrementally developed. | When the company has not developed an almost similar type of project, then it is hard to use the RAD model as it is unable to reuse the existing code. |
What is Incremental Development Model?
The Incremental Development Model is a software development approach in which the product is created, implemented, and tested incrementally (a bit more is added each time) until it is complete.
Differences between Agile Model and Incremental Development Model
| Agile model | Incremental development model |
|---|---|
| The agile model is an incremental delivery process where each incremental delivered part is developed through an iteration after each time box. The main principle of the Agile model is to achieve agility by removing unnecessary activities that waste time and effort. | The requirements of the software are divided into several modules that can be incrementally developed and delivered. The core features are developed first and the whole software is developed by adding new features in successive versions. |
| In the Agile model, the end date for an iteration is fixed, it cannot be changed. The development team may have to decide to reduce the delivered functionality to complete that iteration on time. | In the Incremental development model, there is no fixed time to complete the next iteration. |
What is Spiral Model?
The Spiral Model is a Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) model that provides a systematic and iterative approach to software development. In its diagrammatic representation, it looks like a spiral with many loops. The exact number of loops of the spiral is unknown and can vary from project to project. Each loop of the spiral is called a phase of the software development process.
Iterative Development Model
Difference between Agile Model and Spiral Model
| Agile model | Spiral model |
|---|---|
| The main principle of the Agile model is to achieve agility by removing unnecessary activities that waste time and effort. | The main principle of the Spiral model is risk handling. |
| The Agile model focuses on the delivery of an increment to the customer after each Time-box, so customer interaction is more frequent. | The spiral model mainly deals with various kinds of unanticipated risks but customer interaction is less. |
| The agile model is suitable for large projects that are easy to divide into small parts that can be easily developed incrementally over each iteration. | The Spiral model is suitable for those projects that are prone to various kinds of risks that are difficult to anticipate at the beginning of the project. |
| The agile model does not rely on documentation. | Proper documentation is required for the Spiral model. |
Frequently Asked Questions on Agile model vs Other Models in Software Engineering – FAQs
1. Why Agile methodology is better than other methodologies?
Agile is better than other methodologies because it is flexible and adapts quickly to changes. It focuses on delivering small, usable parts of the software regularly, which allows for continuous feedback and improvements. This approach ensures that the final product meets user needs more accurately and is developed efficiently.
2. What are the main differences between Agile and Scrum?
The primary distinction between Agile and Scrum is that Agile is a concept for effectively delivering software to a client, whereas Scrum is a proven technique for software development teams to follow.
3. What are the advantages of the Agile model?
Following are the advantages of Agile Model:
- Flexibility
- Faster Delivery
- Continuous Feedback
- Improved Quality
- Enhanced Collaboration
- Risk Management