Dynamic

Assumption Based Development vs Waterfall Methodology

Developers should use Assumption Based Development when working on projects with high uncertainty, such as new product development, innovative features, or complex systems where requirements are unclear meets developers should learn and use the waterfall methodology in projects with well-defined, stable requirements and low uncertainty, such as government contracts, safety-critical systems, or large-scale infrastructure where changes are costly. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

Assumption Based Development

Developers should use Assumption Based Development when working on projects with high uncertainty, such as new product development, innovative features, or complex systems where requirements are unclear

Assumption Based Development

Nice Pick

Developers should use Assumption Based Development when working on projects with high uncertainty, such as new product development, innovative features, or complex systems where requirements are unclear

Pros

  • +It's particularly valuable in agile and lean environments to prevent wasted effort on invalid assumptions, enabling faster pivots and more reliable delivery
  • +Related to: agile-methodology, lean-software-development

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Waterfall Methodology

Developers should learn and use the Waterfall Methodology in projects with well-defined, stable requirements and low uncertainty, such as government contracts, safety-critical systems, or large-scale infrastructure where changes are costly

Pros

  • +It is suitable when regulatory compliance, detailed documentation, and predictable timelines are priorities, as it provides a structured framework for managing complex, long-term projects
  • +Related to: software-development-life-cycle, project-management

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Assumption Based Development if: You want it's particularly valuable in agile and lean environments to prevent wasted effort on invalid assumptions, enabling faster pivots and more reliable delivery and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Waterfall Methodology if: You prioritize it is suitable when regulatory compliance, detailed documentation, and predictable timelines are priorities, as it provides a structured framework for managing complex, long-term projects over what Assumption Based Development offers.

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The Bottom Line
Assumption Based Development wins

Developers should use Assumption Based Development when working on projects with high uncertainty, such as new product development, innovative features, or complex systems where requirements are unclear

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