In today’s fast-paced digital world—where technology and customer needs are constantly evolving—speed to market is critical. That’s why many companies ask a key question: How can we develop an e-commerce store efficiently, flexibly, and without unnecessary delays?
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between the traditional Waterfall approach and the modern Agile approach using the Scrum methodology. Using the development of an e-shop as a practical example, we’ll demonstrate why Scrum might be the ideal choice for those who want to start selling quickly—without compromising on quality.
Use Case: The Client Requests an E-commerce Store
To better illustrate different approaches to software development, let’s consider a real-world scenario: a client requests the creation of a modern online store. They want a solution that is not only functional but also user-friendly, mobile-optimized, and compatible with the latest payment and marketing tools.
Modern e-commerce requirements typically include:
Responsive design (works equally well on mobile and desktop)
UX and SEO optimization
Clean and informative product pages (photos from multiple angles, videos, certificates, comparisons, size guides)
Cart and checkout process:
– Streamlined ordering
– Minimalist design (no unnecessary forms)
Multiple payment methods (card, Apple Pay, PayPal, bank transfer)
Shipping integrations and parcel boxes
Analytics or CDP integration
Marketing tools (newsletters, discounts, cross-sell features)
Live chat or chatbot
Comparing Two Development Approaches: Waterfall vs. Scrum
Let’s explore how this e-shop project might be handled under two different methodologies: the traditional Waterfall model and the Agile Scrum approach.
How Development Works in Waterfall
The traditional Waterfall method follows a fixed sequence of steps:
- A detailed analysis and specification phase kicks things off.
- A comprehensive set of requirements and tasks is documented.
- Development proceeds in a linear fashion, with no interim releases.
- Testing and bug fixes occur only at the end.
- The finished product (the e-shop) is delivered at the very end.
Problems with Waterfall:
- Long delivery times (months).
- Low flexibility for changes.
- Risk of discovering critical issues late in the process.
- The client sees the product only shortly before launch.
How Would Scrum Approach the Same Use Case?
Scrum uses a different philosophy. Development is broken down into short cycles called “sprints,” during which the team gradually builds functional components of the e-shop. The client is actively involved and can provide feedback throughout the process, significantly increasing the likelihood that the final product matches their expectations.
Real Example of a Scrum Project Flow
1. Project Preparation
- The client and team collaboratively define the requirements.
- Requirements are broken into smaller features (user stories).
- Each feature is estimated for complexity and effort.
- A roadmap (high-level plan) is created.
Example Product Backlog:
As a customer, I want to save products to a wishlist so I can purchase them later.
As a customer, I want to track the status of my order.
As a customer, I want to choose a delivery method and see the price before payment.
As a customer, I want to pay using Apple Pay or Google Pay for faster checkout.
5. As a customer, I want to rate products and read reviews.
6. As a customer, I want to receive recommendations based on my purchase history.
7. As a customer, I want personalized newsletters with updates.
8. As an admin, I want a dashboard with sales statistics.
9. As an admin, I want to manage user permissions.
10. As an editor, I want to manage articles via CMS for SEO improvement.
11. As a marketer, I want to set up automated abandoned cart campaigns.
2. Kick-off and First Sprint
- The most valuable features are selected for the first sprint.
- After two weeks, the first functional component (e.g. cart and checkout) is completed.
3. Sprint Repetition
- The team continuously develops additional parts of the application.
- Each sprint brings the product closer to the MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
Sample Scrum Roadmap
Assumption: 2-week sprints, ~12-week total roadmap
- Wishlist
- Delivery selection and pricing
- Order tracking
- Apple Pay / Google Pay
- Order overview
- Address validation and cart UX optimization
- Automated emails (welcome, abandoned cart)
- Personalized recommendations
- Newsletter integration (e.g. Mailchimp)
- Admin dashboard
- Order export
- Basic customer segmentation
MVP Can Be Ready After Just a Few Sprints
This gives the client a chance to go live quickly with a functional product and continue evolving it based on real feedback.
In Part 2 of This Article, We’ll Cover:
- What an MVP e-shop might look like
- Why collecting analytics data from the start is crucial
- How Scrum helps prioritize features that bring the most value
- Common pitfalls to avoid
Tibor Petrik
The author of this article is a project manager who began his career with us as a tester. However, his passion for improving team collaboration and project workflows eventually led him to Scrum. Over the years, he has embraced the principles of agile project management and has become a key pillar of the team focused on developing B2B e-commerce solutions. Thanks to his deep understanding of B2B project flows and daily interactions with the needs of B2B clients, he’s able to effectively align team efforts with the real business goals of our customers.
