Waterfall method
Key takeaways
Waterfall is a linear delivery model that suits stable, well-specified work but struggles when change is frequent.
- Waterfall runs through fixed phases, and each phase is completed and documented before the next begins.
- It works best when requirements are clear, unlikely to change, and acceptance criteria can be agreed upfront.
- Strong documentation and upfront planning support predictable costs, resourcing, and stakeholder reporting.
- Late feedback can increase the risk of building the wrong thing and discovering issues near the end.
- Regulated and high-compliance environments often prefer waterfall for traceability and control of change.
Introduction to the waterfall method
The waterfall method of project management is a sequential approach to a project . The phases of this methodology are completed one after another in the following order:
- Requirements elicitation
- Design
- Implementation
- Verification
- Maintenance.
Each of these steps should be completed and fully documented before the next step is taken. This linear approach is most known for the following characteristics:
- Rigid structure
- Comprehensive documentation
- Clear milestones
- Predictable timelines.
Waterfall method is the opposite of the Agile approach . It is less flexible and works on a fixed scope. Traditional waterfall method was not designed to be iterative like the Agile methodology. Waterfall project is best for software products and projects that have well-defined requirements that will not change much. It is good for software with certain endpoints and certain regulatory compliance checks needed for the software to function.
Waterfall phases
Waterfall is a structured , sequential approach that includes distinct phases with each phase building on the output of the previous phase. In this subsection, we will cover the phases in a waterfall lifecycle.
Requirements elicitation
In this phase, the team gathers and documents all project requirements. This includes defining the project scope and objectives, identifying stakeholders and their expectations, and creating a detailed specification document.
System design
Based on the requirements, the team designs the system architecture, user interface, database schemas, and detailed technical specifications.
Implementation
During this phase, developers write code according to the design specifications, adhere to coding standards and best practices, and create unit tests for individual components.
Verification
Testers rigorously evaluate the system by executing test cases based on requirements, performing integration and system testing, identifying and reporting bugs, and verifying bug fixes and retesting.
After testing is complete, the team:
- Prepares the production environment
- Migrates data if needed
- Deploys the system to users
- Provides user training and documentation.
Maintenance and support
After the system is deployed, ongoing activities include:
- Monitoring system performance
- Addressing user-reported issues
- Implementing minor enhancements
- Providing technical support to users.
Each phase in the waterfall process must be completed before the next phase can begin. This approach ensures that all necessary documentation is created and minimises the risk of overlooking important requirements. It can be inflexible if requirements change mid-project. The sequential nature of waterfall requires meticulous planning and clear communication throughout the development lifecycle.
Benefits of the waterfall method
Waterfall project management is a sequential and linear approach to executing tasks, and it has several advantages. Let’s discuss each one of them:
Clear project structure and timeline
The sequential nature of waterfall provides:
- Phases with clearly defined start and end points
- A planned structure with a timeline for when the work is to be completed
- Milestones that are easily communicated to stakeholders.
Comprehensive documentation
Waterfall methodology advocates comprehensive documentation, leading to well-defined project requirements and specifications, detailed design documents for future reference and valuable historical records for similar projects.
Predictable costs and resource allocation
The upfront planning involved in the waterfall model allows for accurate budget estimation, efficient resource allocation throughout the project lifecycle and minimised unexpected expenses.
Waterfall’s structured approach facilitates easy tracking of progress with clear indicators at each phase, simplified reporting to stakeholders and easy identification of bottlenecks or delays.
Project duration can vary widely, from a few months to several years, depending on the scope, complexity, and resources available.
What are the biggest challenges in waterfall project management?PMI COURSES
Challenges include handling changes and late-stage issues, maintaining stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that requirements are accurately captured and understood from the outset.Select your preferred training course below:
Is waterfall still relevant in today’s fast-paced software development environment?
Yes, for projects with well-defined requirements, strict regulatory requirements, or where changes are expensive or impractical, waterfall remains a viable approach.PMI COURSES
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