How does Agile methodology handle changing requirements compared to traditional methods?

Agile methodology is designed to handle changing requirements more efficiently than traditional methods. Here's how:

1. Iterative Development: Agile methodology breaks down the project into small manageable units called iterations or sprints. Each sprint lasts for a fixed duration (usually 2-4 weeks), at the end of which a potentially shippable product increment is delivered. This allows for incorporating changes in each sprint without having to wait until the end of the project.

2. Customer Collaboration: Agile emphasizes on continuous customer or stakeholder involvement throughout the project. Regular feedback is sought after each sprint, which helps in understanding any changes in requirements early on and implementing them in the next sprint.

3. Adaptive Planning: Unlike traditional methods which focus on detailed upfront planning, Agile is more adaptive. It welcomes changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer's competitive advantage.

4. Prioritization of Requirements: In Agile, requirements are captured as items in a product backlog. These items are prioritized based on their business value, risk, and necessity. This allows for the most valuable features to be developed first and less important features to be adjusted or reprioritized as requirements change.

5. Regular Reflection and Adjustment: Agile teams regularly reflect on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts their behavior accordingly. This includes a retrospective meeting at the end of each sprint where the team discusses what went well, what didn't, and how they can improve, including adapting to any changes in requirements.

In contrast, traditional methods like Waterfall model, follow a sequential design process. Requirements are gathered upfront during the planning phase and changes are not easily accommodated once the project is set in motion. This can lead to a mismatch between the final product and the user's actual needs.