How does the Agile methodology differ from Waterfall in software development?

The distinction between Agile and Waterfall methodologies is fundamentally rooted in their approach to software development. Agile is characterized by its iterative and flexible nature, allowing for incremental development and frequent reassessment of tasks and goals. This means that projects can adapt to changes in requirements, customer feedback, and evolving technologies throughout the development process. Agile promotes continuous collaboration among team members and stakeholders, which helps to ensure that the final product aligns more closely with user needs.

In contrast, Waterfall follows a linear and sequential model where each phase must be completed before the next one can begin. This rigid structure means any changes in requirements can be challenging to accommodate, as they often require revisiting earlier phases of the project, which can be time-consuming and costly. By adhering strictly to a predetermined plan and timeline, Waterfall may limit flexibility and responsiveness to new information or changes.

This fundamental difference in approach to project management and adaptability is what makes the Agile methodology particularly effective in dynamic environments where user requirements can change quickly and where rapid delivery of software is essential.