In a recent insightful conversation, I found myself delving into the age-old debate: should we adopt a waterfall approach or dive headfirst into agile development? What emerged from this discussion was a compelling perspective that seeks to marry the best of both worlds.
Traditionally, the waterfall approach entails meticulously defining business needs, functions, and expectations upfront, often resulting in exhaustive documentation before any development work begins. However, what if we could capture the essence of this approach while still embracing the iterative nature of agile methodologies?
Imagine a scenario where we craft a comprehensive project or product description, akin to a detailed story but more intricate than a user story. This document serves as the blueprint, undergoing rigorous discussions, edits, and amendments until a consensus is reached. It delineates the outputs and outcomes expected from the initiative, laying a solid foundation before any development kicks off.
Enter the Scrummer-Fall hybrid approach—a pragmatic solution that blends the structured framework of waterfall with the adaptive nature of agile. Once the blueprint is finalized, the agile/Scrum process takes over, allowing for iterative cycles of design, development, and review. This iterative approach enables flexibility, accommodating deviations and changes as needed while ensuring that the project remains rooted in a well-defined scope.
By marrying the structured approach of waterfall with the flexibility of agile, organizations can strike a delicate balance between certainty and adaptability. Developers gain a sense of continuity and clarity, while customers benefit from a process that remains open to change and evolution throughout the implementation phase.
In essence, embracing agile development doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning all semblance of structure. Instead, it’s about finding a middle ground—a hybrid approach that fosters collaboration, transparency, and agility while maintaining a solid foundation to build upon.
Let’s embark on this journey of agile transformation, embracing change while staying grounded in purpose and clarity.
Tim HJ Rogers
Consult | CoCreate | Deliver
I support people and teams to grow, perform and succeed unlocking potential as a partner Consultant, Coach, Project and Change Manager
Together we can deliver projects and change, and improve the confidence, capacity, drive and desire of the people I work with.
ICF Trained Coach | MBA Management Consultant | PRINCE2 Project Manager, Agile Scrum Master | AMPG Change Practitioner | Mediation Practitioner | BeTheBusiness Mentor | 4 x GB Gold Medalist | First Aid for Mental Health | Certificate in Applied Therapeutic Skills
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