Computer Science – 12.1 Program Development Life cycle | e-Consult

A waterfall model is suitable for small, well-defined projects with stable requirements because it follows a linear, sequential approach. This makes it easy to plan, manage, and track progress. Each phase (requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, maintenance) is completed before the next begins. The clear documentation produced at each stage is beneficial for maintaining consistency and avoiding costly changes later. If requirements are unlikely to change, the waterfall model's rigidity can be an advantage.

Conversely, an Agile development life cycle is more appropriate for large, complex projects with evolving requirements. Agile is iterative and incremental, breaking the project down into smaller cycles (sprints). This allows for frequent feedback and adaptation to changing needs. Agile prioritizes customer collaboration and working software over comprehensive documentation. The ability to incorporate feedback throughout the development process reduces the risk of delivering a product that doesn't meet the user's needs. Agile is particularly effective when requirements are uncertain or likely to change, as it embraces change as an opportunity to improve the product.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences: