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Chapter III Methodology of the Study Waterfall Model

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Guide to waterfall methodology: Free template and examples

Waterfall project management is a sequential project management methodology that's divided into distinct phases. Each phase begins only after the previous phase is completed. This article explains the stages of the waterfall methodology and how it can help your team achieve their goals.

But what if your project requires a more linear approach? Waterfall methodology is a linear project management methodology that can help you and your team achieve your shared goals—one task or milestone at a time. By prioritizing tasks and dependencies, the waterfall method helps keep your project on track.

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What is waterfall methodology?

Waterfall methodology, a term coined by Dr. Winston W. Royce in 1970, is a sequential design process used in software development and product development where project progress flows steadily downwards through several phases—much like a waterfall. The waterfall model is structured around a rigid sequence of steps that move from conception, initiation, analysis, design, construction, testing, implementation, and maintenance.

Unlike more flexible models, such as Agile, the waterfall methodology requires each project phase to be completed fully before the next phase begins, making it easier to align with fixed budgets, timelines, and requirements.

By integrating comprehensive documentation and extensive upfront planning, waterfall methodology minimizes risk and tends to align well with traditional project management approaches that depend on detailed records and a clear, predetermined path to follow.

For example, here’s what a waterfall project might look like:

The waterfall methodology is often visualized in the form of a flow chart or a Gantt chart. This methodology is called waterfall because each task cascades into the next step. In a Gantt chart, you can see the previous phase "fall" into the next phase.

6 phases of the waterfall project management methodology

Any team can implement waterfall project management, but this methodology is most useful for processes that need to happen sequentially. If the project you’re working on has tasks that can be completed concurrently, try another framework, like the Agile methodology .

If you’re ready to get started with the waterfall methodology, follow these six steps:

1. Requirements phase

This is the initial planning process in which the team gathers as much information as possible to ensure a successful project. Because tasks in the waterfall method are dependent on previous steps, it requires a lot of forethought. This planning process is a crucial part of the waterfall model, and because of that, most of the project timeline is often spent planning.

To make this method work for you, compile a detailed project plan that explains each phase of the project scope. This includes everything from what resources are needed to what specific team members are working on the project. This document is commonly referred to as a project requirements document.

By the end of the requirements phase, you should have a very clear outline of the project from start to finish, including:

Each stage of the process

Who’s working on each stage

Key dependencies

Required resources

A timeline of how long each stage will take.

A well-crafted requirements document serves as a roadmap for the entire project, ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page.

2. System design phase

In a software development process, the design phase is when the project team specifies what hardware the team will be using, and other detailed information such as programming languages, unit testing, and user interfaces. This phase of the waterfall methodology is key to ensuring that the software will meet the required functionality and performance metrics.

There are two steps in the system design phase: the high-level design phase and the low-level design phase. In the high-level design phase, the team builds out the skeleton of how the software will work and how information will be accessed. During the low-level design phase, the team builds the more specific parts of the software. If the high-level design phase is the skeleton, the low-level design phase is the organs of the project.

Those team members developing using the waterfall method should document each step so the team can refer back to what was done as the project progresses.

3. Implementation phase

This is the stage where everything is put into action. The team starts the full development process to build the software in accordance with both the requirements phase and the system design phase, using the requirements document from step one and the system design process from step two as guides.

During the implementation phase, developers work on coding and unit testing to ensure that the software meets the specified requirements.

4. Testing phase

This is the stage in which the development team hands the project over to the quality assurance testing team. QA testers search for any bugs or errors that need to be fixed before the project is deployed.

Testers should clearly document all of the issues they find when QAing. In the event that another developer comes across a similar bug, they can reference previous documentation to help fix the issue.

5. Deployment phase

For development projects, this is the stage at which the software is deployed to the end user. For other industries, this is when the final deliverable is launched and delivered to end customers. A successful deployment phase requires careful planning and coordination to ensure a smooth rollout.

6. Maintenance phase

Once a project is deployed, there may be instances where a new bug is discovered or a software update is required. This is known as the maintenance phase, and it's common in the software development life cycle to be continuously working on this phase.

Regular maintenance and updates are essential for keeping the software running smoothly and addressing any issues that arise post-deployment.

When to use waterfall methodology

The waterfall methodology is a common form of project management because it allows for thorough planning and detailed documentation. However, this framework isn’t right for every project. Here are a few examples of when to use this type of project management.

Project has a well-defined end goal

One of the strengths of the waterfall approach is that it allows for a clear path from point A to point B. If you're unsure of what point B is, your project is probably better off using an iterative form of project management like the Agile approach.

Projects with an easily defined end goal are well-suited for waterfall methodology because project managers can work backwards from the goal to create a clear and detailed path with all of the requirements necessary.

No restraints on budget or time

If your project has no restraints on budget or time, team members can spend as much time as possible in the requirements and system design phases. They can tweak and tailor the needs of the project as much as they want until they land on a well-thought-out and defined project plan.

Creating repeatable processes

The waterfall model requires documentation at almost every step of the process. This makes it easy to repeat your project for a new team member; each step is clearly detailed so you can recreate the process.

Creating repeatable processes also makes it easy to train new team members on what exactly needs to be done in similar projects. This makes the waterfall process an effective approach to project management for standardizing processes.

Waterfall vs. Agile methodologies

While the waterfall methodology follows a linear, sequential approach, Agile is an iterative and incremental methodology. In Agile, the project is divided into smaller, manageable chunks known as sprints. Each sprint includes planning, design, development, testing, and review phases.

The Agile method emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and rapid iteration based on continuous feedback. It allows for changes and adaptations throughout the project's lifecycle. In contrast, the waterfall model has a more rigid structure with distinct phases and limited room for changes once a phase is complete.

The choice between waterfall and Agile depends on factors such as project complexity, clarity of requirements, team size, and client involvement. The waterfall model is suitable for projects with well-defined requirements and minimal changes expected, while the Agile method is favored for projects with evolving requirements and a need for frequent client feedback and course corrections.

Benefits of waterfall methodology

Consistent documentation makes it easy to backtrack.

When you implement the waterfall project management process, you’re creating documentation every step of the way. This can be beneficial—if your team needs to backtrack your processes, you can easily find mistakes. It's also great for creating repeatable processes for new team members, as mentioned earlier.

Tracking progress is easy

By laying out a waterfall project in a Gantt chart, you can easily track project progress. The timeline itself serves as a progress bar, so it’s always clear what stage a project is in.

[Old Product UI] Mobile app launch project in Asana (Timeline)

Team members can manage time effectively

Because the waterfall methodology requires so much upfront planning during the requirement and design phase, it is easy for stakeholders to estimate how much time their specific part of the waterfall process will take.

Downsides of waterfall project management

Roadblocks can drastically affect timeline.

The waterfall methodology is linear by nature, so if there's a bump in the road or a task gets delayed, the entire timeline is shifted. For example, if a third-party vendor is late on sending a specific part to a manufacturing team, the entire process has to be put on hold until that specific piece is received.

Linear progress can make backtracking challenging

One of the major challenges of the waterfall methodology is that it's hard to go back to a phase once it's already been completed. For example, if someone is painting the walls of a house, they wouldn’t be able to go back and increase the size of one of the rooms.

QA is late in the process

In comparison to some of the more iterative project management methodologies like Kanban and Agile, the review stage in a waterfall approach happens later in the process. If a mistake is made early on in the process, it can be challenging to go back and fix it. Because of how the waterfall process works, it doesn’t allow for room for iteration or searching for the best solution.

Waterfall methodology examples

To better understand how the waterfall methodology is applied in practice, let's look at a couple of real-world use cases:

1. Construction Project: Building a new office complex requires careful planning and sequential execution. The project manager first gathers all the requirements, such as building specifications, timelines, and budgets. Then, architects and engineers create detailed designs. After approval, construction starts and strict quality controls follow. Finally, the building is handed over to the client for use and maintenance.

2. Software Engineering Project: A company wants to develop a new mobile application using the software development life cycle (SDLC). The project manager defines the product requirements, including features, performance metrics, and integrations. Software architects create the high-level design and technical specifications. Developers then follow the SDLC phases of coding, unit testing, and deployment. The team follows the waterfall methodology throughout the product development process, making sure that each step is finished before going on to the next. After the successful launch, the mobile app enters the maintenance phase, where the team addresses user feedback and provides updates.

Managing your waterfall project

With waterfall projects, there are many moving pieces and different team members to keep track of. One of the best ways to stay on the same page is to use project management software to keep workflows, timelines, and deliverables all in one place.

If you're ready to try waterfall project management with your team, try a template in Asana . You can view Asana projects in several ways, including Timeline view, which visualizes your project as a linear timeline.

FAQ: Waterfall methodology

How do you handle changes in requirements during a waterfall project?

Handling changes in requirements during a waterfall project can be challenging, but it's essential to assess the impact of the change, communicate with stakeholders, update project documentation, adjust the project plan, and ensure all team members are informed of the changes. Implementing a change control process can help formally manage and track changes throughout the project.

Can you combine waterfall and agile methodologies in a single project?

Yes, it is possible to combine waterfall and agile methodologies in a single project using a hybrid approach. This involves using waterfall methodology for the upfront planning and requirements gathering phases and adopting agile practices during the implementation and testing phases. The balance between the waterfall model and Agile method can be adjusted based on the project scope.

How do you ensure successful team collaboration on a waterfall project?

Ensuring successful team collaboration in a waterfall project involves establishing clear communication, defining roles and responsibilities, scheduling regular meetings, using collaborative tools, fostering a positive team culture, and providing necessary support and resources. By focusing on these key aspects, teams can work together effectively and efficiently to achieve project goals.

What are the best project management tools for waterfall methodology?

For teams following a waterfall methodology, Asana is the best project management tool available. Its comprehensive set of features, such as Timeline view for visualizing project plans, task dependencies for ensuring proper sequencing, and seamless integrations, make it the ideal choice for managing linear projects. While other tools like Microsoft Project offer waterfall-specific features, Asana's ease of use, collaboration capabilities, and flexibility make it the top choice for teams looking to streamline their waterfall project management process.

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The Ultimate Guide…

Waterfall Model

Brought to you by projectmanager, the online project planning tool used by over 35,000 users worldwide..

ProjectManager's Gantt chart, showing a waterfall project

What Is the Waterfall Methodology in Project Management?

The phases of the waterfall model, waterfall software development life cycle.

What Is Waterfall Software?
Desktop vs Online Waterfall Software

Must-Have Features of Waterfall Software

The Waterfall Model & ProjectManager.com

Waterfall vs. Agile

Pros & Cons of the Waterfall Model

Benefits of Project Management Software for Waterfall Projects

Waterfall methodology resources.

The waterfall methodology is a linear project management approach, where stakeholder and customer requirements are gathered at the beginning of the project, and then a sequential project plan is created to accommodate those requirements. The waterfall model is so named because each phase of the project cascades into the next, following steadily down like a waterfall.

It’s a thorough, structured methodology and one that’s been around for a long time, because it works. Some of the industries that regularly use the waterfall model include construction, IT and software development. As an example, the waterfall software development life cycle, or waterfall SDLC, is widely used to manage software engineering projects.

Related: 15 Free IT Project Management Templates for Excel & Word

Gantt charts are the preferred tool for project managers working in waterfall method. Using a Gantt chart allows you to map subtasks, dependencies and each phase of the project as it moves through the waterfall lifecycle. ProjectManager’s waterfall software offers these features and more.

A screenshot of the gantt chart interface in ProjectManager

Manage waterfall projects in minutes with ProjectManager— learn more .

The waterfall approach has, at least, five to seven phases that follow in strict linear order, where a phase can’t begin until the previous phase has been completed. The specific names of the waterfall steps vary, but they were originally defined by its inventor, Winston W. Royce, in the following way:

Requirements: The key aspect of the waterfall methodology is that all customer requirements are gathered at the beginning of the project, allowing every other phase to be planned without further customer correspondence until the product is complete. It is assumed that all requirements can be gathered at this waterfall management phase.

Design: The design phase of the waterfall process is best broken up into two subphases: logical design and physical design. The logical design subphase is when possible solutions are brainstormed and theorized. The physical design subphase is when those theoretical ideas and schemas are made into concrete specifications.

Implementation: The implementation phase is when programmers assimilate the requirements and specifications from the previous phases and produce actual code.

Verification: This phase is when the customer reviews the product to make sure that it meets the requirements laid out at the beginning of the waterfall project. This is done by releasing the completed product to the customer.

Maintenance: The customer is regularly using the product during the maintenance phase, discovering bugs, inadequate features and other errors that occurred during production. The production team applies these fixes as necessary until the customer is satisfied.

Related: Free Gantt Chart Template for Excel

Let’s hypothesize a simple project, then plan and execute it with the waterfall approach phases that you just learned. For our waterfall software development life cycle example, we’ll say that you’re building an app for a client. The following are the steps you’d take to reach the final deliverable.

Requirements & Documents

First, you must gather all the requirements and documentation you need to get started on the app.

Project Scope: This is one of the most important documents in your project, where you determine what the goals associated with building your app are: functional requirements, deliverables, features, deadlines, costs, and so on.
Stakeholder Expectations: In order to align the project scope with the expectations of your stakeholders—the people who have a vested interest in the development of the app—you want to conduct interviews and get a clear idea of exactly what they want.
Research: To better serve your plan, do some market research about competing apps, the current market, customer needs and anything else that will help you find the unserved niche your app can serve.
Assemble Team: Now, you need to get the people and resources together who will create the app, from programmers to designers.
Kickoff: The kickoff meeting is the first meeting with your team and stakeholders where you cover the information you’ve gathered and set expectations.

System Design

Next, you can begin planning the project proper. You’ve done the research, and you know what’s expected from your stakeholders . Now, you have to figure out how you’re going to get to the final deliverable by creating a system design. Based on the information you gathered during the first phase, you’ll determine hardware and software requirements and the system architecture needed for the project.

Collect Tasks: Use a work breakdown structure to list all of the tasks that are necessary to get to the final deliverable.
Create Schedule: With your tasks in place, you now need to estimate the time each task will take. Once you’ve figured that out, map them onto a Gantt chart , and diligently link dependencies. You can also add costs to the Gantt, and start building a budget.

Implementation

Now you’re ready to get started in earnest. This is the phase in which the app will be built and tested. The system from the previous phase is first developed in smaller programs known as units. Then each goes through a unit testing process before being integrated.

Assign Team Tasks: Team members will own their tasks and be responsible for completing them, and for collaborating with the rest of the team. You can make these tasks from a Gantt chart and add descriptions, priority, etc.
Monitor & Track: While the team is executing the tasks, you need to monitor and track their progress in order to make sure that the project is moving forward per your schedule.
Manage Resources & Workload: As you monitor, you’ll discover issues and will need to reallocate resources and balance workload to avoid bottlenecks.
Report to Stakeholders: Throughout the project, stakeholders need updates to show them progress. Meet with them and discuss a regular schedule for presentations.
Test: Once the team has delivered the working app, it must go through extensive testing to make sure everything is working as designed.
Deliver App: After all the bugs have been worked out, you’re ready to give the finished app to the stakeholders.

System Testing and Deployment

During this phase you’ll integrate all the units of your system and conduct an integration testing process to verify that the components of your app work properly together.

Once you verify that your app is working, you’re ready to deploy it.

Verification

Though the app has been delivered, the software development life cycle is not quite over until you’ve done some administrative tasks to tie everything up. This is technically the final step.

Pay Contracts: Fulfil your contractual obligations to your team and any freelance contractors. This releases them from the project.
Create Template: In software like ProjectManager, you can create a template from your project, so you have a head start when beginning another, similar one.
Close Out Paperwork: Make sure all paperwork has been rubber stamped and archived.
Celebrate: Get everyone together, and enjoy the conclusion of a successful project!

Maintenance

Of course, the nature of any software development project is that, through use by customers, new bugs will arise and must be squashed. So, past the verification stage, it’s typically expected that you will provide maintenance beyond launch. This is an ongoing, post-launch phase that extends for as long as your contract dictates.

What Is Waterfall Project Management Software?

Waterfall project management software is used to help you structure your project processes from start to finish. It allows managers to organize their tasks, sets up clear schedules in Gantt charts and monitor and control the project as it moves through its phases.

A waterfall project is broken up into phases, which can be achieved on a Gantt chart in the waterfall project management software. Managers can set the duration for each task on the Gantt and link tasks that are dependent on one another to start or finish.

While waterfall software can be less flexible and iterative than more agile frameworks, projects do change frequently—and there must be features that can capture these changes in real-time with dashboards and reports, so that the manager can clear up bottlenecks or reallocate resources to keep teams from having their work blocked. Microsoft Project is one of the most commonly used project management software, but it has major drawbacks that make ProjectManager a great alternative .

Desktop vs Online Project Management Waterfall Software

When it comes to waterfall software, you can choose from either a desktop application or online, cloud-based project management software. This might not seem to be a big issue, but there are important distinctions between these two types of offerings.

That’s because there are differences between the two applications, and knowing those differences will help you make an informed decision.

Desktop waterfall software tends to have a more expensive up-front cost, and that cost can rise exponentially if you are required to pay per-user licensing fees for every member of your team.

Online waterfall software, on the other hand, is typically paid for on a subscription basis, and that subscription is usually a tiered payment plan depending on the number of users.

Connectivity

Online software, naturally, must be connected to the internet. This means your speed and reliability can vary depending on your internet service provider. It also means that if you lose connectivity, you can’t work.

Although the difference is minor, desktop waterfall software never has to worry about connection outages.

If security is a concern, rest assured that both options are highly secure. Desktop software that operates on a company intranet is nigh impenetrable, which can provide your company with a greater sense of security.

Strides in web security, like two-factor authentication and single-sign have made online, cloud-based waterfall software far more secure. Also, online tools have their data saved to the cloud, so if you suffer a crash on your desktop that might mean the end of your work.

Accessibility

Desktops are tied to the computers they are installed to or, at best, your office’s infrastructure. That doesn’t help much if you have distributed teams or work off site, in the field, at home and so on.

Online software is accessible anywhere, any time—so long as you have an internet connection. This makes it always accessible, but even more importantly, it delivers real-time data, so you’re always working on the current state of the project.

Waterfall software helps to organize your projects and make them run smoothly. When you’re looking for the right software to match your needs, make sure it has the following features.

Keep Your Project Structured

Managing a project with the waterfall method is all about structure. One phase follows another. To break your project into these stages, you need an online Gantt chart that has a milestone feature. This indicates the date where one phase of the waterfall process stops and another begins.

Control Your Task and Schedule

The Gantt chart is a waterfall’s best friend. It organizes your tasks, sets the duration and links tasks that are dependent to keep work flowing later on. When scheduling, you want a Gantt that can automatically calculate your critical path to help you know how much float you have.

Have Your Files Organized

Waterfall projects, like all projects, collect a lot of paperwork. You want a tool with the storage capacity to hold all your documents and make them easy to find when you need them. Also, attaching files to tasks gives teams direction and helps them collaborate.

Know If You’re on Schedule

Keeping on track means having accurate information. Real-time data makes it timely, but you also need to set your baseline and have dashboard metrics and reporting to compare your actual progress to your planned progress. This makes sure you stay on schedule.

Get an Overview of Performance

Dashboards are designed to collect data and display it over several metrics, such as overall health, workload and more. This high-level view is important, so you want to have a feature that automatically calculates this data and doesn’t require you to manually input it.

Make Data-Based Decisions

Reports dive deeper into data and get more details on a project’s progress and performance. Real-time data makes them accurate. Look for ease of use—it should only take a single click to generate and share. You’ll also want to filter the results to see only what you’re interested in.

The Waterfall Model & ProjectManager

ProjectManager is an award-winning project management software that organizes teams and projects. With features such as online Gantt charts, task lists, reporting tools and more, it’s an ideal tool to control your waterfall project management.

Sign up for a free 30-day trial and follow along to make a waterfall project in just a few easy steps. You’ll have that Gantt chart built in no time!

1. Upload Requirements & Documents

Waterfall project management guarantees one thing: a lot of paperwork. All the documentation and requirements needed to address for the project can quickly become overwhelming.

You can attach all documentation and relevant files to our software, or directly on a task. Now, all of your files are collected in one place and are easy to find. Don’t worry about running out of space—we have unlimited file storage.

2. Use a Work Breakdown Structure to Collect Tasks

Getting to your final deliverable will require many tasks. Planning the waterfall project means knowing every one of those tasks, no matter how small, and how they lead to your final deliverable. A work breakdown structure is a tool to help you figure out all those steps.

To start, use a work breakdown structure (WBS) to collect every task that is necessary to create your final deliverable. You can download a free WBS template here . Then, upload the task list to our software.

A screenshot of a gantt chart in ProjectManager

3. Open in Gantt Project View

Gantt charts are essential project management tools used for planning and scheduling. They collect your tasks in one place on a timeline . From there, you can link dependencies, set milestones, manage resources and more.

In the software, open the Gantt chart view and add deadlines, descriptions, priorities and tags to each task.

4. Create Phases & Milestones

Milestones are what separates major phases in a waterfall method project. Waterfall methodology is all about structure and moving from one phase to the next, so breaking your project into milestones is key to the waterfall method.

In the Gantt view, create phases and milestones to break up the project. Using the milestone feature, determine when one task ends and a new one begins. Milestones are symbolized by a diamond on the Gantt.

5. Set Dependencies in a Gantt Chart

Dependent tasks are those that cannot start or finish until another starts or finishes. They create complexities in managing any waterfall project.

Link dependent tasks in the Gantt chart. Our software allows you to link all four types of dependencies: start-to-start, start-to-finish, finish-to-finish and finish-to-start. This keeps your waterfall project plan moving forward in a sequential order and prevents bottlenecks.

6. Assign From Gantt Charts

Although you’ve planned and scheduled a project, it’s still just an abstraction until you get your team assigned to execute those tasks. Assigning is a major step in managing your waterfall project and needs to happen efficiently.

Assign team members to tasks right from the Gantt chart. You can also attach any related images or files directly to the task. Collaboration is supported by comments at the task level. Anyone assigned or tagged will get an email alert to notify them of a comment or update.

ProjectManager's Gantt charts are ideal for waterfall project management

7. Manage Resources & Workload

Resources are anything you need to complete the project. This means not only your team, but also the materials and tools that they need. The workload represents how many tasks your team is assigned, and balancing that work keeps them productive.

Keep track of project resources on the Workload view. See actual costs, and reallocate as needed to stay on budget. Know how many tasks your team is working on with easy-to-read color-coded charts, and balance their workload right on the page.

A screenshot of ProjectManager’s resource management window, each team member has a row that shows their workload

8. Track Progress in Dashboard & Gantt

Progress must be monitored to know if you’re meeting the targets you set in your waterfall method plan. The Gantt shows percentage complete, but a dashboard calculates several metrics and shows them in graphs and charts.

Monitor your project in real time and track progress across several metrics with our project dashboard . We automatically calculate project health, costs, tasks and more and then display them in a high-level view of your project. Progress is also tracked by shading on the Gantt’s duration bar.

ProjectManager’s dashboard view, which shows six key metrics on a project

9. Create Reports

Reporting serves two purposes: it gives project managers greater detail into the inner-workings of their waterfall project to help them make better decisions, and acts as a communication tool to keep stakeholders informed.

Easily generate data-rich reports that show project variance, timesheets , status and more. Get reports on your planned vs. the actual progress. Filter to show just the information you want. Then, share with stakeholders during presentations and keep everyone in the loop.

A screenshot of a project report generated by ProjectManager

10. Duplicate Plan for New Projects

Having a means to quickly copy projects is helpful in waterfall methodology, as it jumpstarts the next project by recreating the major steps and allowing you to make tweaks as needed.

Create templates to quickly plan any recurring waterfall projects. If you know exactly what it takes to get the project done, then you can make it into a template. Plus, you can import proven project plans from MSP, and task lists from Excel and Word.

The waterfall methodology is one of two popular methods to tackle software engineering projects; the other method is known as Agile .

It can be easier to understand waterfall when you compare it to Agile. Waterfall and Agile are two very different project management methodologies , but both are equally valid, and can be more or less useful depending on the project.

Waterfall Project Management

If the waterfall model is to be executed properly, each of the phases we outlined earlier must be executed in a linear fashion. Meaning, each phase has to be completed before the next phase can begin, and phases are never repeated—unless there is a massive failure that comes to light in the verification or maintenance phase.

Furthermore, each phase is discrete, and pretty much exists in isolation from stakeholders outside of your team. This is especially true in the requirements phase. Once the customer’s requirements are collected, the customers cease to play any role in the actual waterfall software development life cycle.

Agile Project Management

The agile methodology differs greatly from the waterfall approach in two major ways; namely in regards to linear action and customer involvement. Agile is a nimble and iterative process, where the product is delivered in stages to the customer for them to review and provide feedback.

Instead of having everything planned out by milestones, like in waterfall, the Agile software development method operates in “sprints” where prioritized tasks are completed within a short window, typically around two weeks.

These prioritized tasks are fluid, and appear based on the success of previous sprints and customer feedback, rather than having all tasks prioritized at the onset in the requirements phase.

Understanding the Difference Between Waterfall & Agile

The important difference to remember is that a waterfall project is a fixed, linear plan. Everything is mapped out ahead of time, and customers interact only at the beginning and end of the project. The Agile method, on the other hand, is an iterative process, where new priorities and requirements are injected into the project after sprints and customer feedback sessions.

Pros & Cons of the Waterfall Project Management

There are several reasons why project managers choose to use the waterfall project management methodology. Here are some benefits:

Project requirements are agreed upon in the first phase, so planning and scheduling is simple and clear.
With a fully laid out project schedule , you can give accurate estimates for your project cost, resources and deadlines.
It’s easy to measure progress as you move through the waterfall model phases and hit milestones.
Customers aren’t perpetually adding new requirements to the project, which can delay production.

Of course, there are drawbacks to using the waterfall method as well. Here are some disadvantages to this approach:

It can be difficult for customers to articulate all of their needs at the beginning of the project.
If the customer is dissatisfied with the product in the verification phase, it can be very costly to go back and design the code again.
A linear project plan is rigid, and lacks flexibility for adapting to unexpected events.

Although it has its drawbacks, a waterfall project management plan is very effective in situations where you are encountering a familiar scenario with several knowns, or in software engineering projects where your customer knows exactly what they want at the onset.

Using a project management software is a great way to get the most out of your waterfall project. You can map out the steps and link dependencies to see exactly what needs to go where.

As illustrated above, ProjectManager is made with waterfall methodology in mind, with a Gantt chart that can structure the project step-by-step. However, we have a full suite of features, including kanban boards that are great for Agile teams that need to manage their sprints.

With multiple project views, both agile and waterfall teams and more traditional ones can work from the same data, delivered in real time, only filtered through the project view most aligned to their work style. We take the waterfall methodology and bring it into the modern world.

Now that you know how to plan a waterfall project, give yourself the best tools for the job. Take a free 30-day trial and see how ProjectManager can help you plan with precision, track with accuracy and deliver your projects on time and under budget.

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The Waterfall Model in Large-Scale Development

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Kai Petersen 10 , 11 ,
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Waterfall development is still a widely used way of working in software development companies. Many problems have been reported related to the model. Commonly accepted problems are for example to cope with change and that defects all too often are detected too late in the software development process. However, many of the problems mentioned in literature are based on beliefs and experiences, and not on empirical evidence. To address this research gap, we compare the problems in literature with the results of a case study at Ericsson AB in Sweden, investigating issues in the waterfall model. The case study aims at validating or contradicting the beliefs of what the problems are in waterfall development through empirical research.

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Petersen, K., Wohlin, C., Baca, D. (2009). The Waterfall Model in Large-Scale Development. In: Bomarius, F., Oivo, M., Jaring, P., Abrahamsson, P. (eds) Product-Focused Software Process Improvement. PROFES 2009. Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, vol 32. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02152-7_29

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Waterfall Methodology

Ks3 computer science.

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48 modules covering EVERY Computer Science topic needed for KS3 level.

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45 modules covering EVERY Computer Science topic needed for GCSE level.

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A-Level Software Development Lifecycle (16-18 years)

Software development life cycle (sdlc).

Software Development Life Cycle is a systematic approach to develop software. This cycle creates a structure for the developer to design, create, and produce/deliver high-quality software (that depend on the client requirements or end user).

Furthermore SDLC also provides a methodology for improving the quality of the product. The main purpose for implementing SDLC is to provide a cost efficient product, which is also of high quality.

There are seven types of SDLC’s and the Waterfall model is one of them, the other six are:

Iterative model:

Breaking down the software development of a large application into smaller chunks, the iterative model makes use of repeated cycles.

Spiral model:

Combination of iterative model and sequential linear development (Waterfall with a high emphasis on risk analysis). This model allows incremental releases of the product or incremental refinement through each iteration around the spiral.

Rather than allowing the processes to move down in a linear fashion like the Waterfall model, the V model process steps are bent upwards after the coding phase (like the “V” shape).

Big Bang model:

No specific process is followed in this model. The development is initiated with the required money and the effort is considered to be the input. The output is considered to be the software developed which may or may not be to the customer requirements.

Functional modules are developed in parallel as the prototypes are integrated to make the complete product for faster product delivery. The customer can provide early feedback on the design, delivery, and other requirements, as they have early visibility.

Prototype model:

A throwaway prototype is built to understand the requirements rather than freezing the requirements for the design and coding that are required to begin.

This prototype is developed based on the requirements that are already known.

(This paper will only focus on the Waterfall model)

What is the Waterfall methodology?

Although Herbert D. Benington had mentioned the phases similar to that of a Waterfall back in 1956 during his presentation for Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE), the first formal description of the Waterfall model was cited around the 1970s in an article by Winston W. Royce, who was an American computer scientist. Winston as a matter of fact was describing the flaws of such systems. It was only until 1985 that the six phases of the Waterfall model were acknowledged by the United States Department of Defence.

The Waterfall model is considered to be the first “Process Model” to be introduced. The model is described to be a breakdown of project activities into linear sequential phases, were each phase depends on the product and deliverables of the subsequent phase.

The Waterfall model was first adopted in the construction and manufacturing industries, which in these industries meant that any changes made throughout the development process became extremely expensive.

When the Waterfall model was used for software development, there was no recognised alternative for knowledge based work. This is why it is known to be the earliest type of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

The Waterfall model is divided into separate phases, and as mentioned above the outcome of the current phase will depend on the phase that was just completed as they must be executed sequentially. These phases are:

Requirements Analysis
High level design phase
Low level design phase
Implementation
Maintenance

Although throughout the years, the popularity of the Waterfall model has decreased, in favour of other methodologies such as agile, the logical nature of the sequential process used in the Waterfall methodology cannot be denied, and it remains to be a common design process in industry.

Stages of Waterfall methodology

As the name of the process emphasises, the Waterfall downward mechanism functions similarly to a Waterfall.

The process is divided into subsequent stages, and it is extremely important to complete each step completely and successfully to move onto the next step.

These steps consist of 6 stages which are described in detail below:

Requirements Analysis:

In the requirements analysis phase, all the prerequisite demands of the project are analysed and documented into a specification document, furthermore, these requirements are analysed to check if they are feasible to be successfully completed within the project realms and to check if they are valid.

In this phase, it is mandatory to consider any constraints and/or limitations that the project may carry, for instance: time or budget constraints. Ultimately these are the considerations, which may affect the development process and decrease productivity.

After all these considerations and analysis, a “Requirements Understanding Document” “RUD” is produced.

System Design:

This phase will cover the technical design requirements, which includes hardware and system requirements, for instance, data layers, network infrastructure, user interface, and programming languages etc.

System design can be divided into two further phases to break down the understanding and implementation:

High level design phase:

The high-level design phase includes a list of functionality modules, correlation modules, architecture diagrams, and database tables. This phase will conclude with the creation of a high-level design document.

Low level design phase:

The low-level design phase involves the designing of the actual software components, which will be used in the system.

The modules in the high-level design phase are broken down into separate modules, and pseudo-code is written to aid the programmer in coding when development is initiated.

Moreover, the low-level design phase also includes interface details, dependency issues, error-message listings, and inputs and outputs for each module.

Implementation:

In this phase, as the name would imply, the source code is written as per the requirements that were developed and assigned. In-essence, the physical design specification is created into the working code for the system.

The software system is developed in small program fragments, which are referred to as “units”. Once these units are completed, they are integrated into the system.

Each unit will be tested after completion to make sure that they function correctly as required, this process is referred to as “unit testing”.

Once the code is completed, it will be given to the testing team, where individuals will check for all possible errors/defects, by running test cases either automatically or manually.

Generally testers will allow the code to go through very rigorous test cases to see the levels to which is can withstand and function without producing errors/defects.

Furthermore, in this phase the client/end-user is also involved, this is to ensure that all requirements are met to their desired needs.

All errors/defects detected during this stage are fixed to ensure quality assurance, thus making it uncommon for the implementation phase to be visited again, in order to fix the errors/bugs.

Deployment:

When this stage is reached, the system should be ready to be deployed onto the live environment (i.e. the client server), in order to analyse and test the performance of what was created. Once the all clear is taken, and everything is fine with the system from the client server point of view, the system becomes available for the end users to make use off.

Maintenance:

Once the deployment phase is a success and everything is running smoothly, the last step is to provide constant support and maintenance to the system software, ensuring and guaranteeing that the system runs smoothly with possible changes to the environment, moreover, the system must be abled to be maintained to provide a better user experience if possible, when new releases are available.

Therefore “patches” are released to make sure that these changes are delivered in the client environment.

Examples of Waterfall model applications

One of the key factors to consider with the Waterfall methodology is time, back in the day, when Waterfall was implemented quite heavily, systems and software’s had a very large development time period.

Although Waterfall is less used nowadays, there are still areas where the Waterfall model is continued to be used/preferred.

Situations where human safety comes first, and time and money is the secondary considerations.
Development of Department of Defence, military and aircraft programs follow the Waterfall methodology.

In such industries, the requirements are known in advance and the contracts are very specific about the desired product that will be delivered.

Other industries, which utilise the Waterfall model can also, include healthcare, control system for nuclear facilities, space shuttles etc.

Despite the above, more industries tend to lean towards the Agile methodology, as it suites there development, like Space X.

When to use the Waterfall model?

The Waterfall model is used when the desirable requirements and are very well known, clear and fixed(they don’t change).
Technology is understood.
Product definition is stable.
There are no ambiguous requirements for development.
A large amount of resources with the required expertise is freely available.

There is very little client, customer interaction during the development phase of the project when using Waterfall. It is only when the product is ready, it can be demonstrated to the client/end-user

Though one key factor to consider when implementing Waterfall is to make sure that the development is perfect, as any error or defect can be extremely costly, due to developers needing to update everything from document to logic.

Despite the above, most industries and companies nowadays are using other models such as Iterative, Agile etc.

Advantages of Waterfall methodology

Adapts to shifting teams:

Waterfall methodology allows the project to maintain a more detailed, robust scope and design stricter due to the preplanning and documentation stages.

This is particularly beneficial for large teams that may see an exchange of members in the team (individuals leaving and new individuals being added) throughout the lifecycle of the project.

Forces structured organisation:

Waterfall methodology allows the project and organisation to be disciplined in its design and structure.

Allows for early design changes:

Altering changes when a project is complete or near completion can be extremely hard and difficult. The advantage of the Waterfall methodology is that it allows changes that are necessary to be distinguished at the early stages of development, rather than later on.

Suited for milestone focused development:

Due to the inherent linear structure of the Waterfall methodology, this will suite organisations that work well with milestones and make use of date focused developments.

With a clear understanding of the what the team must achieve, it is considered to be more simple to develop a timeline for the entire process and hence assign individuals milestones for each stage in development.

Other advantages include:

Suited for milestone-focused development.
Simple and easy to use and understand.
The Waterfall model is easy to manage due to its rigidity of the model, each phase has specific deliverables and a review process.
Process and results are documented in good detail.
The stages are well defined and clear with no ambiguity.
Works well for small projects that have well defined requirements.
Changes are done during the development, rather than deploying it, and then finding out that there are error/defects.

Disadvantages of the Waterfall methodology

Non-adaptive design constraints:

Arguably the biggest disadvantage of using the Waterfall methodology is its inherent lack of adaptability across all stages of the development life cycle.

When a flaw is realised at the testing stage of a process, it requires a dramatic leap backward in stages of the process, but in some cases, this can also lead to the realisation regarding the legitimacy of the whole system. Although this case shouldn’t happen in theory, if the system was designed properly in the first stage, although sometimes not every possibility can be accounted for, especially when stages (like testing) are so often delayed until the very end of the process.

Ignores mid process feedback:

Due to strict step-by-step process that Waterfall methodology entails and no overlapping between stages, client/end-user feedback that is provided may be too late in the cycle. While the project managers can deploy a role back to the previous stage, this can be costly and time consuming for both development team and client, so it is detrimental to understand the clients objectives and desires at the very beginning.

Delayed testing period:

Although most SDLC models incorporate testing as a fundamental objective throughout the development, the Waterfall model on the other hand only introduces testing at the very end of development life cycle. This can lead to more bugs being introduced all at once, furthermore, this can showcase design issues or flaws in the system.

Other disadvantages include:

Working software is produced late during the life cycle, which will lead to high amount of risk and uncertainty.
Not fitting for complex object oriented projects (OOP).
Poor methodology for long term and ongoing projects.
Adjusting the scope during the life cycle can potentially end the project.
Integration is completed like a “big bang” at the end of the project, this doesn’t allow to identify any business or technological bottlenecks or any challenges early in the life cycle.
Waterfall methodology is not suitable for projects which contain requirements that have a possibility of changing.
It is difficult to measure progress within stages.
Reduces efficiency by not allowing process to overlap.

Summary and Facts

Software development is a process that entails the creation and maintenance of systems, applications, frameworks, and other software elements.

The Waterfall model is considered to be the first “Process Model” to be introduced. The model is described to be a breakdown of project actives into linear sequential phases, where each phase depends on the product and deliverables of the subsequent phase.

The Waterfall model puts emphasis on logical progression steps to be taken throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC).

Stages of Waterfall methodology:

Advantages of Waterfall methodology:

Adapts to shifting teams.
Forces structured organisation.
Allows for early design changes.

Disadvantages of the Waterfall methodology:

Non-adaptive design constraints
Ignores mid process feedback
Delayed testing period
Adjusting the scope unrig the life cycle can potentially end the project.
Integration is completed as a “big bang” at the end of the project, this doesn’t allow to identify any business or technological bottlenecks or any challenges early in the life cycle.
Waterfall methodology is not suitable for projects, which contain requirements that have a possibility of changing.

References:

https://rezaid.co.uk/sdlc-waterfall-model/
http://www-scf.usc.edu/~csci201/lectures/Lecture11/royce1970.pdf
http://cartoon.iguw.tuwien.ac.at/fit/fit01/wasserfall/entstehung.html
https://www.toolsqa.com/software-testing/software-development-life-cycle/
http://tryqa.com/what-is-waterfall-model-advantages-disadvantages-and-when-to-use-it/
https://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/waterfall-model
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfall_model#cite_note-benington-1
https://www.guru99.com/what-is-sdlc-or-waterfall-model.html
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/sdlc/sdlc_waterfall_model.htm
https://airbrake.io/blog/sdlc/waterfall-model
https://www.toolsqa.com/software-testing/waterfall-model/#:~:text=The%20waterfall%20model%20is%20a,Production%2FImplementation%2C%20and%20Maintenance

Agile project management
Waterfall Methodology

Waterfall Methodology: A Comprehensive Guide

Browse topics.

If you've been in project management for a while, you must’ve encountered the Waterfall methodology. It's an old-school software development method from the 1970s.

In a Waterfall process, you must complete each project phase before moving to the next. It's pretty rigid and linear. The method relies heavily on all the requirements and thinking done before you begin.

Don't worry if you haven't heard of it. Let’s break the Waterfall method down and see how it works.

What is the Waterfall methodology?

Waterfall methodology is a well-established project management workflow . Like a waterfall, each process phase cascades downward sequentially through five stages (requirements, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance).

The methodology comes from computer scientist Winston Royce’s 1970 research paper on software development. Although Royce never named this model “waterfall”, he gets credit for creating a linear, rigorous project management system.

Unlike other methods, such as the Agile methodology, Waterfall doesn't allow flexibility. You must finish one phase before beginning the next. Your team can’t move forward until they resolve any problems. Moreover, as our introduction to project management guide outlines, your team can’t address bugs or technical debt if it’s already moved on to the next project phase.

What are the stages of the Waterfall methodology?

Five phases comprise the Waterfall methodology: requirements, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance. Let's break down the five specific phases of Waterfall development and understand why it’s critical to complete each phase before progressing to the next.

Requirements

The requirements phase states what the system should do. At this stage, you determine the project's scope, from business obligations to user needs. This gives you a 30,000-foot overview of the entire project. The requirements should specify:

resources required for the project.
what each team member will work on and at what stage.
a timeline for the entire project, outlining how long each stage will take.
details on each stage of the process.

But these requirements " may range from very abstract to a detailed mathematical specification ,” writes Steven Zeil , professor of computer science at Old Dominion University. That’s because requirements might not outline an exact implementation, and that’s something development addresses in later stages.

After gathering all the requirements, it's time to move on to the design stage. Here, designers develop solutions that meet the requirements. In this stage, designers:

create schedules and project milestones.
determine the exact deliverables.
create designs and/or blueprints for deliverables.

Deliverables could include software or they could consist of a physical product. For instance, designers determine the system architecture and use cases for software. For a physical product, they figure out its exact specifications for production.

Implementation

Once the design is finalized and approved, it's time to implement it. Design hands off their specifications to developers to build.

To accomplish this, developers:

create an implementation plan.
collect any data or research needed for the build.
assign specific tasks and allocate resources among the team.

Here is where you might even find out that parts of the design that can't be implemented. If it's a huge issue, you must step back and re-enter the design phase.

Verification

After the developers code the design, it’s time for quality assurance. It’s important to test for all use cases to ensure a good user experience. That's because you don't want to release a buggy product to customers.

writes test cases.
documents any bugs and errors to be fixed.
tests one aspect at a time.
determines which QA metrics to track.
covers a variety of use case scenarios and environments.

Maintenance

After the product release, devs might have to squash bugs. Customers let your support staff know of any issues that come up. Then, it's up to the team to address those requests and release newer versions of your product.

As you can see, each stage depends on the one that comes before it. It doesn't allow for much error between or within phases.

For example, if a stakeholder wants to add a requirement when you're in the verification phase, you'll have to re-examine the entirety of your project. That could mean tossing the whole thing out and starting over.

Benefits of Waterfall methodology

The benefits of Waterfall methodology have made it a lasting workflow for projects that rely on a fixed outcome. A 2020 survey found that 56% of project professionals had used traditional, or Waterfall, models in the previous year.

A few benefits of Waterfall planning include:

Clear project structure : Waterfall leaves little room for confusion because of rigorous planning. There is a clear end goal in sight that you're working toward.
Set costs : The rigorous planning ensures that the time and cost of the project are known upfront.
Easier tracking : Assessing progress is faster because there is less cross-functional work. You can even manage the entirety of the project in a Gantt chart, which you can find in Jira.
A replicable process : If a project succeeds, you can use the process again for another project with similar requirements.
Comprehensive project documentation : The Waterfall methodology provides you with a blueprint and a historical project record so you can have a comprehensive overview of a project.
Improved risk management : The abundance of upfront planning reduces risk. It allows developers to catch design problems before writing any code.
Enhanced responsibility and accountability : Teams take responsibility within each process phase. Each phase has a clear set of goals, milestones, and timelines.
More precise execution for a non-expert workforce : Waterfall allows less-experienced team members to plug into the process.
Fewer delays because of additional requirements : Since your team knows the needs upfront, there isn't a chance for additional asks from stakeholders or customers.

Limitations of Waterfall methodology

Waterfall isn't without its limitations, which is why many product teams opt for an Agile methodology.

The Waterfall method works wonders for predictable projects but falls apart on a project with many variables and unknowns. Let's look at some other limitations of Waterfall planning:

Longer delivery times : The delivery of the final product could take longer than usual because of the inflexible step-by-step process, unlike in an iterative process like Agile or Lean.
Limited flexibility for innovation : Any unexpected occurrence can spell doom for a project with this model. One issue could move the project two steps back.
Limited opportunities for client feedback : Once the requirement phase is complete, the project is out of the hands of the client.
Tons of feature requests : Because clients have little say during the project's execution, there can be a lot of change requests after launch, such as addition of new features to the existing code. This can create further maintenance issues and prolong the launch.
Deadline creep : If there's a significant issue in one phase, everything grinds to a halt. Nothing can move forward until the team addresses the problem. It may even require you to go back to a previous phase to address the issue.

Below is an illustration of a project using the waterfall approach. As you can see, the project is segmented into rigid blocks of time. This rigidity fosters an environment that encourages developers, product managers, and stakeholders to request the maximum amount of time allotted in each time block, since there may be no opportunity to iterate in the future.

How is the Waterfall method different from Agile project management?

Agile project management and the Waterfall methodology have the same end goal: crystal clear project execution. While Waterfall planning isolates teams into phases, Agile allows for cross-functional work across multiple phases of a project. Instead of rigid steps, teams work in a cycle of planning, executing, and evaluating, iterating as they go.

The " Agile Manifesto " explains the benefits of Agile over the Waterfall model:

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change by following a plan

If you're looking for tools that support Agile project management and serve the same end goal as Waterfall, consider Jira . It’s best suited for Agile projects, and helps you:

Track work : With Gantt charts , advanced roadmaps , timelines, and various other tools, you can easily track your progress throughout the project.
Align your team : Tracking allows you to seamlessly plan across business teams, keeping everyone aligned on the same goals.
Manage projects and workflows : With Jira, you can access Jira project management templates that you can use for your Agile workflows .
Plan at every stage : Jira Product Discovery , another product by Atlassian, offers product roadmaps for planning and prioritizing product features at every stage, from discovery to delivery.

Atlassian's Agile tools support the product development lifecycle. There are even Agile metrics for tracking purposes. Jira lets you drive forward the Agile process. It uses intake forms to track work being done by internal teams and offers a repeatable process for requests.

These Jira products integrate natively within the app, unifying teams so they can work faster.

Use Agile methodology for project management

Waterfall methodology has a long history in project management , but it's often not the right choice for modern software developers. Agile methodology offers greater flexibility.

Here’s why most teams prefer an Agile process:

Adaptability to changes : If something arises, your team will be better able to adjust on the fly. Waterfall’s rigidity makes it difficult to deal with any roadblocks.
Continuous feedback loop : Continuous improvement requires a feedback loop. With Agile, you can gather feedback from stakeholders during the process and iterate accordingly.
Stronger communication : Teams work collaboratively in an Agile process. Waterfall is a series of handoffs between different teams, which hinders effective communication.

Here is where a project management tool such as Jira comes in handy for an Agile methodology. You can also use a project management template for your Agile projects. Your team can plan, collaborate, deliver, and report on projects in one tool. That keeps everyone aligned throughout any project and streamlines project management.

Waterfall methodology: Frequently asked questions

Who is best suited for waterfall methodology.

The Waterfall methodology works best for project managers working on projects that include:

Less complex objectives : Projects that don't have complicated requirements are best suited for Waterfall.
Predictable outcomes : Waterfall works best for those projects that are replicable and proven.
Reduced likelihood of project scope creep : A project where clients aren't likely to come up with last-minute requirements is suitable for Waterfall.

Agile methodology is perfect for nimble teams with an iterative mindset, such as:

Cross-functional teams : A team of people with different skill sets that allows them to work on various aspects of a project. These are collaborative types who are flexible.
Self-organizing teams : Autonomous teams that don't need a lot of handholding. They embrace ambiguity in a project and are great problem solvers. This mindset also gives them more ownership over outcomes.
Startups and small businesses : These benefit from the mindset of " move fast and break things ". So they can fail fast, learn, and improve.

Finally, Agile works well for customer-centric projects where their input allows you to iterate.

What factors should I consider before implementing a project management approach?

When deciding on the proper methodology to implement in project management , there are four main factors to consider: project complexity, organizational goals, team expertise, and stakeholder involvement.

Let’s break each one down:

Project complexity : Waterfall can help break down larger, more complex projects into smaller sets of expectations and goals. But its rigidity doesn’t deal well with unknowns or changes. Agile is better for complex projects that have a lot of variables.
Organizational goals : What does your organization want to achieve? Is it looking to innovate or keep the status quo? An Agile approach is best if your organization wants to break down silos. Teams will work more collaboratively with more autonomy.
Team expertise : Agile is an excellent way to go if your team is cross-functional and can work across skill sets. If your team members rely heavily on a singular skill set, Waterfall may be better.
Stakeholder involvement : If your stakeholders are going to be more hands-on, Agile will help you best because it allows for continuous feedback and iteration.

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A complete guide to the Waterfall methodology

There are different methodologies project managers can choose from when beginning new projects, such as Agile, Gantt, Kanban, and more. If you’ve worked in project management for a little while, there’s no doubt you’ve come across the Waterfall methodology.

For projects that require a more linear approach, the Waterfall methodology is a tried and true model for helping your team reach project goals. Often used by software developers, the Waterfall methodology has been used and recycled in different ways over the last few decades.

In this blog post, we’ll take a more detailed look at the Waterfall methodology, including its five core phases, benefits and limitations, and how it’s used today in conjunction with platforms like monday work management.

What is the Waterfall methodology?

The Waterfall methodology, also referred to as the Waterfall model, is an approach to project management where a project is broken down into sequential linear phases. Each phase leads into the next, flowing like a waterfall, and relies on deliverables from the one before, meaning phases need to be completed before moving on.

Originating from a 1970s research paper by Winston W. Royce, this linear approach allows you to plan and set a structure for the project early on, making it easier to execute and manage project progress. This model can also help make projects more predictable in terms of milestones, deliverables, and release dates as time estimates are often more accurate. That said, it’s not quite as flexible as other methodologies such as the Agile approach since your team can’t jump ahead to another phase until problems are completely solved.

Traditionally, the Waterfall model divides a project into 5 specific phases or stages. Below, we’ll take a closer look at each of the phases in more detail.

What are the 5 phases of the Waterfall method?

The Waterfall methodology is made up of five core phases that occur in chronological order. These phases each have set dates, requirements, and deliverables, and following the phases is like following a clearly laid out project plan. Here’s a closer look at each of the phases.

1. Requirements

The requirements phase is when teams and managers estimate project requirements and assess the viability of a project or proposed solution. During the requirements phase, you’ll look at project scope , stakeholder expectations, company goals, and more upfront. It’s the project manager’s job to get a detailed understanding of the project’s requirements including:

Objectives: Stakeholder expectations and business goals to set project objectives
Project scope: Figure out the overall extent of collaboration with stakeholders
Risk assessment: Find potential risks and assess whether a project is worth undertaking
Research: Conduct market research to inform the product development process
Resources and manpower: Start assembling resources and talent for your project
Timeline: Put together a specific project timeline

Too many projects fail because management overlooks something at the requirements stage. In the requirements stage, it’s essential to look past basic business requirements and involve stakeholders in the process.

In the design phase, you’ll be focused on outlining project specifics. At this stage, you should have a preliminary project team and you should:

Create and plan the project schedule and milestones
Determine the project’s deliverables
Create a physical design or blueprint for the final deliverables

In the design stage, you may want to consider using a work breakdown structure (WBS) to start assigning project activities. You can also create a high-level project schedule with clear project milestones that you can use to benchmark progress.

3. Implementation

monday work management insights dashboard

In this phase, you’ll begin implementing the plan and making the project a reality. Once you start getting into the core of a project, it’s easy to have tunnel vision and lose sight of the original plan. This stage’s goal is to put the gears in motion to successfully implement your project plan. In this phase, you should:

Start actioning development based on plans from the previous phase
Track project progress and key KPIs by seeing how you measure up against milestones using a project management platform like monday work management
Continuously try to identify potential roadblocks and bottlenecks to project progress

Changes are possible in this stage, but it may require heading back to the design phase so each request should be carefully considered.

4. Verification

This stage is all about testing and checking that the resulting product or feature solves the intended problem. Just because you’ve delivered the project objective doesn’t mean it’s time to celebrate just yet. You need to make sure that the product holds water.

In this stage, you’ll be implementing various quality assurance steps such as:

Documenting bugs to be addressed and fixed
Arranging direct user testing with existing or potential customers
Getting the necessary regulatory approvals
Standardizing any repeatable processes that deliver results

It’s important to first determine which QA metrics you want to track and then test your product in different use cases and environments to make sure it holds up.

5. Maintenance

The last part of the Waterfall project lifecycle, the maintenance phase, ensures that the project delivers in the long term. This stage is all about phasing out older products, implementing a maintenance plan for the new machinery, and supporting the product after project completion.

In this phase, teams will need to:

Respond to customers when defects are found
Address change requests from users
Release updates, patches, and new versions of your product

When should you use the Waterfall methodology?

The Waterfall methodology is the best choice for reasonably predictable projects with strict time constraints or flawless operation requirements. These projects can come in many shapes and sizes and in many different industries. Some examples include:

Projects where you fully understand the scope through previous experience and there are well-defined requirements
Software development projects where the end goals are defined from the outset
Projects in industries with strict regulations or where thorough documentation is required, like construction or aerospace
Manufacturing or construction projects where there’s no room for variation in schedule or implementation
Projects with strict timelines or schedule constraints
Projects for clients who aren’t very likely to change the scope or requirements as work progresses

What are the benefits of the Waterfall methodology?

The biggest advantage of the Waterfall methodology is the ability to create and control a predictable schedule and by extension, outcomes, for projects where timing is critical. The distinct benefits of Waterfall make it an excellent choice for a lot of teams and projects. Some other benefits of the Waterfall process include:

Predictability: The detailed schedule means each team and individual knows what they should be working on
Repeatable: By outlining entire workflows, you can easily standardize and create a repeatable process to apply to multiple projects
Reasonable: With a well-planned budget including contingency costs, it’s easier to allocate resources to a project
Structured: With distinct phases to follow, it’s simpler to measure progress against set milestones
Cost-efficient: By accurately estimating customer requirements and a timeline, it’s a lot easier to stick to a project’s budget
Error-avoidant: Risks and potential errors are caught early during the planning phases, helping teams avoid costly mistakes during implementation

What are the drawbacks of the Waterfall methodology?

For long-term projects with lofty goals and lots of unpredictability, the Waterfall model probably isn’t the best choice. While it has many strengths, there are drawbacks that can make it unsuitable for certain types of projects with varying requirements and timelines. Some of the drawbacks of the Waterfall methodology to consider include:

Lack of flexibility: Once a phase is finished, it’s difficult to go back and make changes without disrupting the entire project’s process
Longer delivery: Projects can take longer to deliver since all phases need to be completed, unlike other models like Agile project management that push iterative development
Limited client involvement: Customers aren’t as involved in Waterfall model projects and review deliverables at the end, so feedback doesn’t get implemented throughout
Relies on clear requirements: Projects with ambiguous requirements from the get-go can get stalled in the Waterfall model, making it not so ideal for dynamic environments
Deadline creep: If a serious issue comes up during one phase, all the others are impacted, and if nothing is moving forward, deadlines can be significantly delayed

Who uses the waterfall model?

A wide range of teams and companies still use the Waterfall methodology in multiple industries. That said, according to various research and studies, other project management methodologies lead to more successful projects. For example, research shows that companies using Agile project management saw a 64% success rate, compared to just a 49% success rate for the Waterfall model.

While many claim that the Waterfall approach is outdated or obsolete, that’s not entirely true. The Waterfall method brings with it many benefits, as we saw above, and traditional methodologies like Waterfall still prove to be some of the most popular project management methodologies among professionals.

While Agile may seem to get all the glory, the truth is that you don’t need to commit 100% to one methodology or another. The Waterfall project management methodology can be used as a foundation that you can add to. For many teams, hybrid approaches that combine the benefits of models like Waterfall and Agile can offer the best of both worlds.

In fact, according to the latest surveys, teams are using hybrid approaches more than ever. Since 2020, hybrid project management approaches have increased from 20% to 31% in 2023 and are being used for complex projects in industries like IT, construction, healthcare, and finance. For this reason, understanding the core of how traditional models like Waterfall function is essential for implementing the right hybrid approach in your team.

Take Waterfall project management to the next level with monday work management

Choosing the right methodology for your project is an essential first step, but the next thing that will take your project management abilities to the next level is selecting the right project management software. monday work management helps teams organize projects in a way that’s both visual and entirely customizable, so whether you’re using a strict Waterfall model or a hybrid model combining different methodologies, you’ll be able to organize, track, and collaborate on your project and related tasks all in one place.

monday work management waterfall methodology

What sets monday work management apart is that it’s equipped with a host of tools that allow you to build the exact project management platform your company needs. With smart automations, tons of native integrations with other tools, and an interface that makes sense, you’ll feel like you hired an extra project manager. Here’s a look at just a few features that make monday work management stand out.

Ready-made customizable templates and work views

Work your way using monday work management’s ready-made project templates to help you kickstart your project. You can choose a template that fits your project management methodology and then customize it to your team’s liking. Then, view tasks in over 27 different work views such as Calendar, Timeline, Gantt , Workload, and others, to visualize projects any way you want.

Advanced analytics for stronger verification and maintenance

monday work management dashboard reports

As core parts of the Waterfall methodology, successfully verifying and maintaining your products involves having access to accurate and real-time data. With monday work management, you can always maintain a bird’s eye view of your project with dashboard analytics and automated reports that give you insights into project progress and task status.

Improve collaboration with integrations and automations

With monday work management, your team can work better by integrating all their work tools with the platform. With over 200 app integrations, you can rest assured that your team is communicating efficiently in one unified space rather than staggered across various applications. Then, you can build custom no-code automations to trigger actions or reminders from third-party apps or different tasks so that nothing falls through the cracks or causes delays.

Use the right platform to succeed with Waterfall project management

Contrary to what you might have heard, the Waterfall methodology isn’t “dead.” In fact, it’s alive and well, simply evolving to meet the needs of modern project management. While many project managers still use it in its purest form, adopting a hybrid approach has proven to be beneficial to a diverse range of projects. Furthermore, when you use the Waterfall or a hybrid model with a platform like monday work management, you can add a level of flexibility, accuracy, and insight to help you optimize each project stage.

What are the 3 principles of Waterfall methodology?

The three principles of the Waterfall methodology include little to no client or stakeholder involvement, a strict and linear project with a structured approach, and detailed project and process documentation. Implementing these principles makes adhering to the Waterfall methodology easier.

What is the difference between Scrum and Waterfall?

Both Scrum and Waterfall are different project management methodologies. While Waterfall is focused on linear processes and sequential phases with upfront planning, Scrum offers a more flexible and iterative approach. Scrum also involves more customer feedback throughout various processes, making it more adaptable to change, whereas with Waterfall feedback only comes in at the end.

When to use Agile vs Waterfall vs hybrid?

The Agile methodology focuses much less on up-front planning than Waterfall and instead on iterative development. When considering different models, it’s best to consider project needs. Waterfall is a more rigid and linear methodology so it’s best if you don’t anticipate many changes. Agile is easier to adapt so if your project requires higher flexibility, it could be the right choice. A hybrid model is more customizable and can fall somewhere in between, so if you need a linear model that still offers flexibility, this could be the right choice.

What is an example of a waterfall model in real life?

An example of the Waterfall model in real life could be developing a software system. First, the requirements are fully gathered and documented, followed by designing the system architecture, then coding, and finally the testing phase and deployment. Each project phase is completed in sequence, with the development team ensuring that the software meets regulatory and security standards.

What’s the difference between Kanban and Waterfall?

Kanban is a framework within the Agile method that’s focused on flexibility and ongoing adaptation. However, instead of dividing a project into sprints, your team is focused on continuous improvement. Unlike with Waterfall, in a Kanban model you maintain the original company structure, involve stakeholders more, and give every employee a platform to voice their ideas.

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