Debunking the Myths: Why This Isn’t Just Waterfall in Disguise
Waterfall in Disguise is a phrase that gets thrown around whenever agile, iterative, or hybrid ways of working don’t look “pure” enough. But calling everything that isn’t perfect agility “just Waterfall in disguise” misses the point and undermines progress.
Let’s unpack why.
Myth 1: Because We Plan Ahead, It Must Be Waterfall
Yes, agile teams plan. They need roadmaps, forecasts, and release goals. The difference is in how those plans are treated. In Waterfall, plans are rigid contracts. In agile, they’re working hypotheses, continuously updated with learning. Planning is a living process, not a frozen document.
Myth 2: Because We Have Stages, It Must Be Waterfall
Stages and steps exist in every creative process. Design, development, testing, and release don’t disappear in agile. What changes is the flow and feedback loops. Agile integrates these steps into short cycles where results can be inspected and adapted. Waterfall chains them into long sequences with little chance to pivot.
Myth 3: Because We Document, It Must Be Waterfall
Documentation is not the villain. The issue in Waterfall is the weight and finality of documentation, often delivered long before value is proven. In agile, documentation exists but is right-sized and directly useful to the team and stakeholders. It supports collaboration rather than replacing it.
Why This Myth Persists
The myth thrives because agile adoption often starts shallow. Labels change faster than habits. Teams stuck in old decision-making patterns—command-and-control, handovers, or siloed ownership—feel like Waterfall with stand-ups. But that’s not the essence of agile; it’s a symptom of incomplete change.
A Clearer Lens
As I argued in The Clarity Advantage: How Separating What and How Fuels Better Results, clarity in roles and focus matters. The “what” (value, outcomes, priorities) and the “how” (solutions, execution, delivery) need separation. When those lines blur, the whole setup risks slipping back into old patterns that look like Waterfall.
The Real Test
So, is it Waterfall in disguise? The real question is: Do we learn fast, adapt often, and deliver value continuously? If yes, then no—this is not Waterfall. It’s agility at work, even if imperfect.