Advantages and disadvantages of agile approaches

Here’s my thoughts on some of the advantages and disadvantages of agile approaches: 

Advantages

• We can get started on delivering the project before it’s fully defined
• It allows us to adapt the project as we go along based on what we learn as we start developing and delivering
• We deal with changes in a way that minimises costs and time delays
• Often we can deliver part of a project live sooner than we could have delivered the whole project using a waterfall methodology

Disadvantages

• It can be difficult for the budget holder to sign the project off if you can’t tell them exactly what they’re going to get, how long it will take, or how much it will cost
• It can be difficult for the team to start building something when they aren’t clear on what it’s supposed to be exactly when it’s finished
• It can be less cost effective to deliver projects in this way as you can end up having to retest things you’ve already tested and signed off

Please feel free to share your own thoughts on the subject!