Integrating ‘Agile’ Approaches into ‘Waterfall’ Cultures - Innovat

Waterfall and Agile are two project management approaches that offer different perspectives on stakeholder engagement. Waterfall focuses on developing solutions based on a set of desired outcomes while Agile begins without a clear endpoint, assuming that presumptions about results may bias or limit options. The article describes the core elements of both approaches and suggests ways to integrate Agile practices into Waterfall cultures, including inviting conversations around concerns, exploring how organization structures facilitate or inhibit transition, creating educational opportunities, and documenting pilot projects to share experiences. By doing so, the article argues that organizations can become more nimble and innovative in responding to emergent challenges and increased uncertainty.