Plan-based versus agile software development : a quantitative approach -

Abstract

A major decision that can influence the success of a project is the software development method used, which is the structure imposed on the software development process. Qualitative research suggests that neither plan-based methods nor agile methods are optimal for all types of projects. However, quantitative research on this topic is scarce. In this study, we propose a model that compares the structures of the Waterfall and Scrum software development methods taking into consideration factors such as project size, team size, and requirement volatility. This model aims to aid in choosing the software development method that minimizes effort based on the characteristics of the project. Our results indicate that for highly volatile projects and large projects, Scrum is better than Waterfall, while for projects with low volatility and small projects, Waterfall is more desirable.”