In IT project management, few debates are as heated as Agile vs Waterfall. Both models have strengths — but choosing the wrong one can derail budgets, timelines, and morale.
| Criteria | Agile | Waterfall |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Very high | Low |
| Planning | Iterative | Fixed upfront |
| Client involvement | Continuous | Mostly at start/end |
| Best for | Evolving products, software | Compliance, infrastructure, large migrations |
Example: SaaS platform development — ship features every sprint, gather feedback, evolve quickly.
Example: Data center migration or compliance-driven upgrades.
Many modern IT teams adopt a “Water-scrum-fall” approach:
Takeaway: Don’t be dogmatic — be strategic. Pick the model that fits the project, not the trend.