What is one of the disadvantages of agile methods of system development?

Choosing that agility in development can lead to frequent scope changes is a valid concern. Agile methods prioritize flexibility and adaptability, which can result in the project evolving as new requirements emerge during the development process. This is due to the iterative nature of agile, where teams continuously gather feedback and make adjustments, sometimes leading to an expanding set of features or changes in direction that may not have been initially planned.

This characteristic of being subject to scope change can be both a strength and a weakness. While it allows teams to respond to user needs and market changes effectively, it can also result in challenges such as project delays, increased costs, and difficulty in managing stakeholder expectations. The risk is that teams may lose sight of the original project goals if not properly managed, making it essential for agile methodologies to incorporate regular reviews and manageable iteration phases to mitigate the effects of scope creep.

In contrast, factors like initial costs, strict requirements, and longer testing phases are not typically associated with agile methodologies, which are known for their focus on incremental delivery and rapid iteration cycles.