A Transition from Traditional to Agile Software Development

Abstract: The traditional software development methodologies are also known as �Heavy Weight� methodologies. They are based on a strict sequential series of steps such as requirement phase, implementation, testing and deployment. They require defining and documenting a stable set of requirements at the beginning of a project itself. The three most significant traditional methodologies are Waterfall, Spiral Model and Unified Process. Agile software development (ASD) is a new buzz word within software engineering community. These are also known as �Light Weight Methodologies�. Agile processes, or development methods, represent an apparently new approach for planning and managing software development projects. ASD differs from traditional approaches as it puts less emphasis on up-front plans and strict plan-based control and more on mechanisms for change management during the project. In this paper a study on characteristics of both traditional software development as well as agile software development (ASD) and the reasons for transition from traditional to agile development is done.

Keywords: Traditional software development; Heavy Weight Methodologies; Agile software development; Light Weight Methodologies.