What are Agile and Waterfall methodologies in software testing?
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Waterfall Methodology
The term Waterfall Methodology is also named as Liner Sequential Life Cycle Model. In this model, everything is performed in the sequence. So if a tester wants to jump to the next phase without completing the previous one, it would not be easy to do. It will be possible only when the last phase was completed with success.
Agile Methodology
When the software is in the stage of development, this technique will help in a continuous repetition of the development and testing process. In this process, both the activities (Development and testing) are performed in parallel, while it is not the case in waterfall methodology. The biggest benefit of this process is it provides better communication between all the stakeholders, which are testers, developers, and customers.
What are the pros of the Waterfall Model Methodology?
Because it is simple in nature, and all the phases have defined outcomes. So the management of this model is very easy.
It is the best choice for tiny projects, where the needs are easily understood.
A project can be delivered very quickly than any other methodology
The outcomes and the processes are in a well-documented manner
Shifting teams can easily adapt to this technique
The process of project management can turn out to be a huge plus in order to tackle the dependencies
What are the possible restrictions of the Waterfall model?
If your project is large, this method cannot be selected
It loses its effectiveness if expected outcomes provided in the beginning are not clear
Using this model is not easy to go back to previous phases if any modifications are desired
When the development phase is done, only then the testing process can be initiated. So, if there are any bugs present and found later so it would be very much costly to fix those issues.
What are the Pros of Agile Model?
In this process, the target person is the client. So during the entire phases of a process, the client will be indulged.
In this model, work crews are highly inspired and well organized. So the development projects will provide better results.
In this technique, it is assured that the quality of the development phase is well maintained.
In this process, there is always an increscent. Progress, so the entire team and clients are well aware of the situation, how much is done, and how much is pending. As a result risk probability is minimized
Restrictions of Agile Model?
This technique is not effective where the projects to be developed are small
While taking worthy decisions, experts are needed
The implementation budget for this project is greater than the other techniques
If you are not clear about outcomes, this project will lose its way.
Basic differentiation between Agile and Waterfall Models?
The differences between these models are given below:
| Agile | Waterfall |
|---|---|
| The progressive technique is used in this model | While this process is performed in sequence |
| It has huge plus because of its ductile nature | A structured approach is used |
| It is a sum of various kinds of projects | Development of software will be marked as a one complete project |
| Since it is a ductile method so the variations in the development process can be made | But not in this case. When the development phase is started, you would not be able to modify anything |
| It is a progressive technique so the different phases like planning and development can appear more than once | In this model, all the phases such as designing, development, and the testing are executed once. |
| In this model, testing and development phases are performed in parallel | Testing is initiated only when the Build phase is done |
| It has a product mindset where it is targeted to complete the needs of an end customer | This aims on the project mindset, where the only target is to accomplish the project |
| It works best in the varying time, material and funding cases rather than fixed inputs | Risk agreements are signed at the start of a process, so the risk of fixed price is reduced |
| It requires small but well-coordinated teams | In this case coordination among the team is very much limited |
| Owner of the product also take part with the team during the requirement changes that are done on a daily basis | Project business analyst will prepare the requirements before initiating the project |
| Without any hesitation and problems test team can participate in the process of requirement modification | The rigid structure will not help the test to make any required changes |
| During performing the SDLC process, the details of the project can be changed when needed | Detail description is needed before implementing this technique |
Conclusion
Both these techniques vary from each other and perform well in their assigned ways. It can be concluded from the above-mentioned data,
Waterfall technique is the best choice for the projects where the requirements are clear. And there is no need to modify these requirements. While the Agile Model is the best choice when there is a possibility to change requirements on a continuous basis.
Agile is a very flexible model, so changes can be made at any level.
The Waterfall is a well-structured and rigid strategy
In the case of the Agile model, methodology requirements can change on a frequent basis, while in Waterfall requirements are set by the business analyst
The agile model provides you a facility to modify the description of the project at any time during the SDLC process, but It cannot be done in the waterfall methodology. So, it can be said that both the techniques have their own importance in their assigned tasks.