Scrum vs. Waterfall: is the selection actually that clear?

Scrum good. Waterfall unhealthy.

That’s so simple as many sources make it sound as of late. Out with the previous, in with the brand new.

However what if we advised you it wasn’t so simple?

What if we mentioned, for instance, that Google makes use of among the Waterfall growth course of — sure, in 2020?

Or that some methodologies truly assist Scrum and Waterfall work collectively?

There’s no such factor as an ideal undertaking administration methodology. Right here at monday.com, we prefer to provide the data, then allow you to select for your self.

On this article, we’ll make clear the variations between a Scrum growth course of and the Waterfall strategy — and allow you to resolve which one might greatest rework your workforce.

Scrum vs. Waterfall: What’s the distinction?

Waterfall methodology is commonly introduced because the dragon slain by the heroic knight Agile and his devoted steed, Scrum.

The story goes like this: 

As soon as upon a time, there was an outdated undertaking administration philosophy known as Waterfall.

On a Waterfall undertaking, every part needed to be accomplished earlier than anyone might transfer to the following one. Gathering the necessities needed to come first, then design, growth, testing, and at last launch.

This was very unhealthy, the storytellers say, as a result of it wasn’t versatile.

New variations of software program might take a 12 months or extra to hit the market. By the point it was out, individuals didn’t need it anymore.

Then a band of heroes mentioned, “no extra!” and printed the Agile Manifesto. 

This holy doc proposed a brand new form of undertaking administration, constructed round brief transport cycles, frequent collaboration with stakeholders, and the embrace of fixed change.

Quickly after, Scrum turned the preferred framework for decoding the Agile methodology.

Every Scrum workforce would devise a product backlog (record of options and necessities), then work on it in sprints, every lasting 1–4 weeks, and tackling a piece of the backlog.

If clients didn’t like what they launched in a single dash, they’d revise it within the subsequent one. If a part of their course of wasn’t working, they’d change that too.

The Agile Scrum strategy was heralded as the proper system.

The crusty previous Waterfall technique couldn’t compete, and it was pushed out of the land. And so they all lived fortunately ever after.

It’s an excellent story…

However how true is it?

Waterfall: Fantasy vs. actuality

The Waterfall mannequin dominated undertaking administration for eons. That’s as a result of, for a lot of merchandise, it’s the one technique that is sensible.

Are you able to think about a contractor constructing a home in two weeks, then iterating on it whereas the residents lived there?

Or a farmer replanting his fields as soon as a month, as a result of individuals advised him they wished totally different greens?

For some varieties of initiatives Scrum simply isn’t a practical answer.

So long as individuals are nonetheless tackling lengthy, advanced initiatives that may be moderately well-planned prematurely (like new building), don’t anticipate Waterfall to vanish any time quickly.

Scrum: Fantasy vs. actuality

Agile and Scrum began out within the software program trade, the place groups had been tackling initiatives that may very well be distributed on the velocity of sunshine.

And for fast-moving, quickly altering environments there’s no contest — Scrum will all the time slay Waterfall.

However, that’s to not say that the Agile strategy and Scrum are solely good for software program and digital merchandise both.

Waterfall is nice for planning a brand new constructing. However what a few renovation?

If you by no means know what you’re going to search out behind the drywall or beneath the flooring, it will get fairly onerous to plan the job out prematurely.

Anytime you’re strolling into the good unknown, no matter trade, the Agile methodology will trump Waterfall undertaking administration.

In fact, there are different routes to Agile undertaking administration. Kanban is sort of as common as Scrum. However that’s one other story.

Is Waterfall or Scrum proper for me?

Right here’s the essential query for proper now: why wouldn’t you need to use Agile methodology and the Scrum framework to handle your software program undertaking?

Scrum vs. Waterfall: Profitable eventualities

Even in software program (the trade Agile was designed for), Scrum shouldn’t be all the time the successful reply.

Scrum works greatest on a single workforce of builders. The best Scrum workforce is made up of three–9 gifted, pushed people who’re nice at organizing themselves.

They don’t want a lot administration — the boss (aka Scrum Grasp) is simply there as an unblocker — in the event that they’re wanted in any respect.

(Our workforce at monday.com doesn’t use a Scrum Grasp as a result of we assist the Scrum thought that everybody is self managed.)

However it’s onerous to present everybody that a lot freedom on the scale of a significant company.

For Scrum to work at scale, your communication needs to be good. In any other case, you’ll get a shoddy, inconsistent product.

A whole lot of enterprises flip to SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) as a greater Agile answer for giant enterprise. However that’s one more story for one more day.

This leads us to a different massive disadvantage to the Agile strategy:

Agile and Scrum don’t cope nicely with strict expectations.

Agile is just like the free-wheeling teenager that desires to experiment and be artistic.

Scrum places some unfastened tips in place, like day by day conferences and short-term commitments, to verify Agile doesn’t go too far down the incorrect path. However as a father or mother, it’s the one who says, “I’ve taught all of them I have to, and now it’s their time to fly.”

That works if your entire main stakeholders (executives, undertaking sponsor, consumer, and so forth.) love being that kind of father or mother.

However, what occurs in case your consumer is extra of a army dad at coronary heart?

You realize, the man who received’t hand over the automotive keys till he has the names and make contact with data of everybody you’re assembly up with, has an hour-by-hour itinerary of your night plans, and has you check in blood that you simply received’t be one second previous curfew.

With that form of father or mother, Agile falls aside.

In case your consumer desires to know up-front precisely what you’ll ship, all the way down to the final specification, the precise date it’ll be prepared by, and the way a lot it’ll value all the way down to the penny, you want Waterfall.

Scrum vs. Waterfall: Pricing

After the final part, you would possibly already ensure which undertaking administration methodology is the proper one for you.

However in case you aren’t, let’s take a better have a look at another arenas the place the Waterfall technique and Agile Scrum compete.

First, there’s worth.

Followers of Agile methodology prefer to say that it’s means cheaper — as much as 6x cheaper, in accordance with some reviews.

They are saying Waterfall is expensive since you ship fewer merchandise, and win fewer loyal clients with 12-month launch cycles.

The reality is that it’s virtually unattainable to match the 2.

Keep in mind that Scrum is most-often used to construct software program, whereas Waterfall methodology is usually used for giant, advanced, “old-school” initiatives.

Constructing an app is reasonable. Constructing an airplane is a bit pricier. And you may solely construct one in all this stuff utilizing Scrum or the Agile technique (Kanban additionally received’t allow you to a lot with the airplane).

Is it a query of either-or?

It’s clear Waterfall is best for some initiatives, groups, and purchasers, whereas Scrum is extra well-suited for others.

However, what if you happen to cope with each?

Perhaps you run a building firm that does new-builds and renovations. Otherwise you’re a developer who has some care-free purchasers and others with crystal clear visions.

Do you have to choose only one framework to champion?

In the long run, the selection would possibly come all the way down to your instruments.

Google adopted a mix of Agile Scrum and Waterfall methodologies, as a result of it allow them to use procedures they had been comfy with, and swap between strategies primarily based on the wants of every undertaking.

You are able to do the identical — however solely you probably have undertaking administration instruments that assist a number of frameworks, and allow you to swap back-and-forth with out shedding helpful data.

You employ Waterfall and Scrum, or perhaps a mixture of the 2, you’ll want a undertaking administration system that helps each.

For Waterfall, you’ll want a instrument that gives undertaking plans, work breakdown buildings, full undertaking schedules, and extra.

With Scrum, you’ll require a product backlog, a roadmap, and the flexibility to interrupt detailed planning down into sprints.

In fact, different options like day by day activity trackers and alter request templates work nice with each strategies.

If you wish to get began with the Waterfall methodology, strive enjoying with the monday.com work plan template. It’s good for leaders who like the understanding of advance planning.

Or, if you happen to’re leaning extra towards an Agile framework, see the way you just like the monday.com undertaking tracker template. It’s supreme if you happen to’re a fan of flexibility and freedom.

Conclusion

When selecting whether or not Scrum or Waterfall is best for you, be like Google.

Don’t lock your self rigidly into both Scrum or Waterfall primarily based on what you’ve heard is the newest fad. As an alternative, find out about Agile rules for your self, and adapt them to your personal distinctive scenario.

No matter you select, you’ll by no means be with out instruments that will help you undertake your new framework.

Whether or not you’re a long-term planner, a Scrum-loving rapid-releaser, or someplace in between, monday.com has templates for you.