Choosing Agile or Waterfall isn’t about being modern — it’s about understanding your project’s true DNA

From Waterfall to Agile: What Experience Taught Me About Choosing the Right Approach

I started my career deep in the world of Waterfall.
Structured timelines, detailed specs, clear deliverables — everything was mapped out before a single line of code was written.

And you know what?
In the right environment, it worked. Really well.

But over time, I ran into projects that didn’t fit the mold.
Clients changed their minds.
Markets moved faster than Gantt charts could keep up.
And I realized: Flexibility isn’t a luxury. It’s a survival skill.

That’s when I embraced Agile — not because it was trendy, but because sometimes it was the only way to succeed.

Today, when planning a project, I don’t ask "Agile or Waterfall?" out of habit.
I ask:

• Are the requirements clear and unlikely to change?

• Is early feedback critical?

• How much room do we have for adjusting mid-flight?

If the path is known — Waterfall is a weapon.
If we’re navigating fog — Agile is the way.

Real leadership isn't about picking one side.
It's about knowing the terrain — and choosing the right tools to get everyone safely to the finish line.

Curious how I help teams and startups make that call?
Let's talk !