The waterfall model

The waterfall model (one of the approaches to software development or web development project) describes a linear development method that is often considered the classic approach to the systems development life cycle. This model is a sequential model, used to create different kinds of software, where project development is seen as flowing steadily downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases of software development requirements analysis, UI design, software implementation, project verification and software maintenance. The process itself can be divided into different phases, depending on the IT project or other web development requirements.

Agile web development

Agile web development is a model for developing web applications. Its concept is similar to Agile software development, but is limited to web applications. It is more efficient and powerful within a short timeline than other models; it incorporates face-to-face communication and includes technical personnel as well as customers as part of the team. Agile web development is used by project managers, business analysts, it is based on clear goals, planning, and iterative delivery. Agile web development ensures the successful completion of the product at the end of each iteration.

The agile web development model follows the stages of planning, requirement analysis, designing, coding, testing, and documentation developing parallel. Successful interaction reaches toward to successful completion of application because of customer involvement hence we never met with the condition where we have to change the product due to changes in requirements, correct decision has to be taken by keeping customers confidence and informed choice, minimizing delays of the product. All the tasks are performed within the given period, with just enough documentation to be effective.

• Small time line.
• Refined Team.
• Clear planning.
• Short Documentation.

Due to the regular involvement and feedback from the customer, the software tends to be more error free, more requirement oriented, and more user friendly. Also, such tasks as planning, development, design, coding, testing, etc. are performed simultaneously, driven by the customer’s demands. It also reduces the development cycle time. The application documentation is less formal, to reduce the time taken and to be more human friendly.

Agile methodology is similar to the iterative, RAD Prototype model, but it has its own principles of developing a web application and it has introduced the concepts that overcome the problems associated with the existing models.

For instance, the waterfall model frequently changes the requirements during the development life cycle, which means it fails whenever the requirements are changed at the end or not properly understood or implemented according to the customer’s current feedback. In the iterative incremental model, the development process moves according to the iterations. Requirements and business process analysis, designing, and functional modification must be added to each version or iteration of the system to satisfy the customer’s feedback, and at last it is integrated into the system. Agile development adopted the key points from an iterative model but differs from the iterative one in relation to the timeboxes. An agile development life cycle pays attention to a shorter time duration for completing the IT project. With the help of timeboxes, developers can easily estimate the problem and correct it within the given time, so that at the end of each iteration, it is modified.

Companies are moving towards Agile as it results in more Customer Satisfaction and hence there business.