Agile vs. Fixed-Price Software Development Approach

The development of complex web apps and software solutions to meet business requirements can accelerate the growth of the organization. However, there are certain aspects to consider prior to getting on the project. One of them is to recognize the well-fit development team to meet the standards of the project. Another significant aspect to consider is the management of the development process. There are two ways to ensure project management: One is the traditional waterfall model and another one is following the Agile Development Approach. 

In this article, we will dive deep to discuss both the options followed by their advantages and disadvantages. 

Waterfall model

The waterfall model is a development model that involves the breakdown of project activities into linear sequential phases. It’s best suited for web applications projects that have well-defined requirements from the beginning. There is a limited scope of change and flexibility when it comes to the usage of the waterfall model. It ultimately boils down to the established parameters-price, time, and scope of the project. As a result, comprehensive planning at the start is of utmost importance. One needs to ensure that deliverables must be described in great detail before signing the contract. The waterfall model serves as a viable solution for smaller projects such as custom web apps or cross-platform mobile apps. The biggest advantage of this model is to help you plan your budget followed by the effective delivery of the project. 

Agile Development Approach

The agile development approach is the software development methodology that is highly recommended in projects requiring flexibility. Agile can be implemented in any project or product development, although it is especially beneficial for complex projects. 

The agile approach is based on incremental planning and is an alternative to traditional project management. It is built on popularly known as the “Agile Manifesto” which consists of 12 principles for software development. 

There are various different agile methodologies. One of the most widely used is Scrum. 

Scrum

Working of Scrum 

The working of Scrum is carried out by individuals working together to deliver the expected product. In the beginning, the product owner, who is responsible to represent the requirement of the client prepares a Product Backlog which is a prioritized wishlist. The modifications in the wishlist can be done at a later stage. It is crucial to distinguish between ‘core’ or ‘first priority from ‘secondary ones’ so that the tasks can be prioritized accordingly. Scrum consists of a series of development iterations known as Sprints. Each sprint starts with a meeting called Sprint Planning to maximize the priority of tasks. The usage of scrum is carried out in two-week Sprints followed by establishing goals at the beginning of each sprint. Then comes the role of a Scrum Master or Technical Lead, who is responsible for ensuring that the Scrum flow is properly enacted and understood. Once the work is completed at the end of the Sprint, it goes for further review and approval from the client. 

The team does a sprint review of the work followed by a review of the process to ensure consistency and quality. Furthermore, they proceed to the next item on the backlog followed by the continuation of the cycle. In a nutshell, Scrum is all about productivity, consistency, and work satisfaction following amazing results. Our team consists of Professional Scrum Master in order to witness the benefits of Scrum on a regular basis when working on several projects. We adopt test-driven development, frequent code reviews, cutting-edge technology, and collaboration tools to follow modern development standards. Thus, the entire working process ensures the security and reliability of software and code.