The main difference between traditional and agile software development lies in their approach to project management. Traditional development follows a waterfall model with a linear sequence of stages—requirements, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance. This model can be rigid and delayed due to its reliance on complete specifications upfront. In contrast, agile emphasizes iterative processes, allowing teams to adapt to changing requirements through sprints. Agile promotes collaboration, customer feedback, and continuous enhancement, which leads to faster delivery and a more flexible response to client needs. Overall, agile methodologies are designed to foster innovation and efficiency.