If you are a Vendor working with a Software as a Service (SaaS) provider, have you considered the best method to deliver new features or changes you want in your software? Your functionality requirements may be complicated and challenging, so your SaaS Development team must work well with you to ensure the best outcome.
There are many software development processes, and each software development team must adopt a practice that works well for themselves and their customer.
Two of the most common processes are Waterfall and Agile, but what are the differences?
Waterfall is a sequential process, with each stage following from the last, resulting in the entire project being delivered at the end, once all subsequent steps have completed. Forrester has reported that almost 60% of companies use Waterfall product development practices only or a blend of Waterfall and Agile practices. 1
Agile is an iterative approach with each iteration being self-encapsulated, allowing projects to be sub-divided into smaller projects each that can be delivered separately. Forrester has reported that the top metrics that Software Development teams focus on are quality-centric, followed by user stories completed.2
So, what are their benefits and restrictions to developing SaaS?
We use a combination of both methods. Why?
By selecting specific parts of the Waterfall and Agile approaches, we can personalize how we work and be efficient for our customers. Using the Waterfall method’s front design concepts, our Development team can map the project’s requirements and measurements. Using the iterative approach from Agile allows more fluid customer input. This hybrid strategy works exceptionally well with our customers – known upfront costs and design whilst enabling continuous deployment via the Agile processes. For us, it is easier to plan a project from start to finish and still allow deliverable chunks of work, rather than finishing a process without customer input or preference throughout the development.
We’re exceptionally proud of our ability to manage and combine our software development processes to deliver to and benefit customers. Find out more about our CPQ software: https://www.channelcentral.net/cpq.asp
1 https://go.forrester.com/blogs/waterfall-product-managers-can-be-agile/
2 Forrester Now: Prioritize The Agile Metrics That Really Matter, August 25th, 2020, Diego Lo Giudice, Jeffrey Hammond
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