Agile vs Waterfall vs Hybrid — Which Works Best for Modern SDLC?

Source: Dev.to

Key Statistics (2024–2025)

• Agile adoption: 71%
• Faster time‑to‑market reported by Agile teams: 52%
• Project success rates: Agile ~64%, Waterfall ~49%
• Hybrid project‑management growth: 55%+ of enterprises shifting toward hybrid models

Method Comparisons

Agile

• Supports continuous integration and delivery.
• Uses sprint cycles and regular customer feedback loops.
• Emphasizes flexibility and rapid iteration.

Waterfall

• Relies on strict documentation and sequential phases.
• Provides clear budgeting and predictable timelines.
• Ideal for projects with fixed requirements and regulatory constraints.

Hybrid

• Combines Agile’s flexibility with Waterfall’s structure.
• Suits enterprise projects involving multidisciplinary teams.
• Allows selective use of iterative development within a governed framework.

Choosing the Right Approach

• If your SDLC demands flexibility → choose Agile.
• If compliance and predictability matter → Waterfall wins.
• If both are essential → a Hybrid model is your solution.

For a deeper dive, see the full article: