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Just Enough Design vs Waterfall Methodology

Developers should learn Just Enough Design when working in fast-paced, iterative environments like Agile or Lean startups, where requirements evolve frequently and rapid delivery is critical 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

Just Enough Design

Developers should learn Just Enough Design when working in fast-paced, iterative environments like Agile or Lean startups, where requirements evolve frequently and rapid delivery is critical

Just Enough Design

Nice Pick

Developers should learn Just Enough Design when working in fast-paced, iterative environments like Agile or Lean startups, where requirements evolve frequently and rapid delivery is critical

Pros

  • +It's particularly useful for avoiding 'analysis paralysis' and reducing time spent on speculative designs that may become obsolete
  • +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 Just Enough Design if: You want it's particularly useful for avoiding 'analysis paralysis' and reducing time spent on speculative designs that may become obsolete 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 Just Enough Design offers.

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The Bottom Line
Just Enough Design wins

Developers should learn Just Enough Design when working in fast-paced, iterative environments like Agile or Lean startups, where requirements evolve frequently and rapid delivery is critical

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev