Multidimensional Methodologies

In preparation for the upcoming SPIN panel the (common) question was asked. "Is there a continuum with Waterfall on one end and Agile on the other?" My response is that the differences are multidimensional and relate more to where you are and where you want to go. So I came up with a way to look at various different software development methodologies and came up with this.

I'm still working on the significance (if any). In any case a few observations:

  • Moving from an ad hoc process to any other process will be difficult since so many dimensions have to change.
  • Moving between the agile processes (FDD, XP, Scrum, Crystal) won't be so difficult since few dimensions have to change.
  • Scrum being mostly a project management method has an unusual shape and combining it with any of the others causes its diagram to flesh out.

I'm sure there is more work/analysis to be done in this area. Anyone seen this before? Or have observations of their own?