Scrum vs Waterfall: Make it Works with Special Tricks

Posted 17/03/23

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There is often a comparison between scrum and waterfall in terms of software development. You can take a look at our guide about software development if you still don’t know about that. Furthermore, Not many people know the difference between these two methodologies. For those of you who are just starting to build a business and are in the process of developing this article, this article is for you. We will provide a special trick that not all articles discuss. Even a practitioner would not give this.

Check out the following discussion and don’t go to another article yet because, at the end of this discussion, you will get a special offer from us.

Understanding Scrum Methodology

Scrum is a subset of the Agile methodology, and it aims to deliver a ready product efficiently through a set of meetings, tools, and roles to assist teams in their work. In sprints, projects are worked on in fixed-length iterations. In each sprint, meetings are held to discuss the next steps and the next sprint.

Basic Elements of Scrum

Scrum follows a few basic elements that provide structure to it, including:

  • Sprint Planning: This event kicks off the sprint and defines what is to be delivered in its duration.
  • Daily Stand-Up: A short daily meeting that lets the team plan its work for the current day, discuss potential obstacles or issues, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Sprint Demo: A review of the completed backlog items through demonstration.
  • Sprint Retrospective: A recurring meeting at the end of the sprint that consists of discussing overall workflow improvements while preparing for the next sprint.

Roles in Scrum Methodology

The Scrum method depends on the members of the team to take on specific key roles in the development process. These roles include:

  • Scrum Master: The person who facilitates the team and makes sure the best practices and tools are used at all times. The Scrum Master moves the project forward by keeping track of things and helps address any issues the team might have with the execution of their tasks.
  • Product Owner: The person who acts as a link between the customer and the development team, is responsible for clearly communicating the expectations toward the project’s execution.
  • Development Team: The people responsible for creating and testing the final product, executing each release until completion.

Visual Aids in Scrum Methodology

The Scrum method uses visual aids during each sprint, such as task boards, charts, and process visuals, so people are always aware of the progress, and feedback can be provided continuously. This approach ensures transparency, and everyone on the team is kept informed and up-to-date.

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How Scrum Can Work With Special Touch

As the business landscape becomes more dynamic, companies need to find ways to manage their projects effectively. This is where Scrum comes in. Scrum is an agile framework that can help teams to deliver high-quality projects while adapting to changing requirements. We’ll explore how scrum can work with a special touch, as well as some of the challenges that can arise.

Improved Transparency and Flexibility with Scrum

According to Brijmohan Bhavsar, a delivery manager at Irvine-based Synoptek, Scrum can provide “high transparency and visibility of the projects.” This is because Scrum emphasizes frequent communication, collaboration, and feedback. By breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, Scrum allows teams to track progress more effectively and adjust their approach as needed. This can help to avoid surprises and ensure that projects stay on track.

In addition, Scrum offers greater flexibility to accommodate change. As Bhavsar notes, this can be particularly helpful in fast-paced environments where requirements may evolve rapidly. Scrum allows teams to respond quickly to changing priorities, customer feedback, or market conditions, without sacrificing quality or risking project delays.

Clear Roles and Better Collaboration with Scrum

Another benefit of Scrum is that it helps to clearly define roles and responsibilities. This can promote better collaboration and reduce conflicts that can arise from unclear expectations. As a result, teams can work more efficiently and effectively, leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise.

Moreover, Scrum encourages frequent communication and collaboration among team members, stakeholders, and customers. This can lead to better decision-making, as everyone has a shared understanding of the project goals and priorities.

According to Mark Garner, Scrum can help to get a project completed much quicker. “We use Scrum, even in pure strategy projects. This gets business stakeholders from multiple departments accustomed to more frequent contact, more collaborative decision-making, and more shared ownership of outcomes,” said Carrier.

Challenges with Scrum

Despite its benefits, Scrum is not without its challenges. Bhavsar notes that the breakdown of complicated tasks into smaller chunks could lead to “poorly defined tasks.” This can result in scope creep, where project requirements increase due to a lack of direction. To mitigate this risk, Scrum teams need to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the project goals, priorities, and requirements from the outset.

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What’s the Waterfall method?

Waterfall methodology is a project management approach that follows a sequential process of work, with each phase of the project cascading into the next. It is a more traditional approach compared to Agile methodologies such as Scrum, but it is still widely used in 2021. In this article, we will explore the key features of the Waterfall methodology.

Three Pillars of Waterfall Methodology

Like Scrum, the Waterfall methodology is based on three main pillars that guide the project management process:

  • Fixed Dates: In waterfall methodology, each phase of the project has a specific deadline for completion. This timeline is set in stone, and any changes or delays can have significant impacts on the entire project.
  • Requirements: Projects must be started with a clear understanding of all customer requirements. These requirements are used to plan each following phase of the project, and any changes to the requirements can have a significant impact on the project timeline.
  • Outcomes: A Waterfall project is designed to deliver specific outcomes, and each phase is designed to help the project get there.

Five Primary Stages of Waterfall Methodology

There are five primary stages in the Waterfall methodology:

  • Requirements: The requirements stage involves gathering all customer requirements before the start of the project. This stage enables the planning of each following phase of the project and ensures that the project moves in the right direction.
  • Design: The design stage includes both logical and physical design. During this stage, the project team brainstorms solutions and turns them into specifications.
  • Implementation: The implementation stage is where developers take all requirements and specifications and write the code for them. This stage is critical, as any mistakes made during implementation can have a significant impact on the project timeline and outcome.
  • Verification: The verification stage involves releasing the product/solution to the customer so they can review it and make sure it meets the requirements. This stage is crucial, as it allows the customer to provide feedback and ensure that the final product meets their needs.
  • Maintenance: The maintenance stage begins when the customer starts regularly using the finished product. During this stage, any bugs or features that do not work are reported and tracked so the production team can fix them.

Working with Waterfall Methodology

Unlike Agile methodologies such as Scrum, teams working with the Waterfall methodology work more independently and are not required to be in continuous communication or give reports continuously. Teams are grouped by function, and when each team finishes its part, they “hand it over” to the next team who needs to continue the development.

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Head-to-Head Comparison between Waterfall and Scrum

When it comes to choosing between Waterfall and Scrum methodologies for your project, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses, and you need to evaluate which one would work best for you. 

Waterfall methodology is a more traditional approach that follows a sequential process of work, with each phase of the project cascading into the next. It’s ideal for projects with well-defined requirements and clear outcomes, where changes in scope or requirements are minimal. It’s also better suited for projects with a fixed timeline and budget. However, the Waterfall methodology can be less flexible, with less room for changes and adjustments during the development process.

On the other hand, Scrum methodology is a subset of the Agile methodology, and it’s more suited for complex projects with constantly evolving requirements. It’s characterized by a more iterative approach, with sprints of up to two weeks that allow for continuous feedback and adjustments. Scrum methodology is more flexible, with room for changes and adjustments during the development process. However, it requires more collaboration and communication between team members and can be more challenging to manage.

Final Takeaway

In summary, if your project has well-defined requirements and a fixed timeline, the Waterfall methodology might be the better choice. If your project is complex and requires continuous feedback and adjustments, the Scrum methodology might be a better fit. Ultimately, you need to evaluate your specific needs and goals to determine which methodology would work best for you.

Emveep Can Do More than Special Tricks

Now you understand how waterfall and scrum work. Even so, you still need to be guided so that you can achieve the execution of these special tricks according to your business goals.

We have more than 8 years of experience helping startups in determining the right project methodology so that their digital products can be completed on time. Beyond the special tricks you know, Emveep has a secret formula that not all software development companies have. We can guide you in the project development process. Call us now because our slots are limited.

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