The waterfall methodology is one of the tried-and true cornerstones of project management. It involves taking a methodical step-by-step approach to project management, making it useful for large scale projects with lots of moving parts.
However, due to its sequential and rigid nature, it’s not meant to be used for every project. Thus, our primary aim in this article is to discern when to use the waterfall workflow and what projects are best suited for it.
A waterfall methodology is an approach to project development where the project is worked in a series of linear steps or phases, not unlike a cascading flow of a waterfall. Every phase must be completed and tested before going to the next one, ensuring that development flows smoothly from one phase to another without revisiting any prior phases.
This workflow ensures a clear roadmap to the goal and minimizes the risks of rework. The linear approach ensures efficiency and predictability but also discourages revisiting prior phases unless necessary.
The Agile Methodology refers to a different approach to project management, where the project is completed in flexible and iterative sprints instead of one long sequence from start to finish. Instead of breaking down the project into phases, an Agile Methodology works on small, different parts of the product—often called sprints—repeating the process and going back and forth between every part, tweaking the design as they go. With this approach, the product moves from iteration to iteration until it reaches its final version.
Waterfall, on the other hand, is very sequential and linear; it does not move from one phase to another before it’s been fully completed and tested. It also involves heavy planning and documentation compared to the Agile Methodology that requires flexible planning and minimal documentation.
In summary:
Waterfall | Agile |
Structure is linear and based on rigid phases | Structure is flexible and based on sprints |
Each phase focuses on a feature of the completed product | Each sprint focuses on an iteration of the product |
Cannot work on the next phase until the current one is completed | It’s possible to work on all features simultaneously |
Extensive Documentation | Little Documentation |
Requires upfront and extensive planning that are subject to little or no change | Plans are ongoing and completely customizable |
When Is Waterfall Better Than Agile?
Waterfall is better than Agile when the project has:
The waterfall approach shines brightest in projects where goals and deliverables for each phase are clear and well-defined, thus simplifying management. Smaller projects with deliverables that can be readily determined from the onset are ideal candidates for employing this project management methodology, as opposed to agile project management, which thrives in more dynamic environments.
A good waterfall model example would be in industries like manufacturing which consist of producing a commodity with a fixed design in a controlled environment. These types of industries lend themselves naturally to something as rigid as the waterfall approach.
For other, more requirement-based projects, it’s best to steer clear of the Waterfall method because its rigidity and upfront reliance on thorough planning and design can obscure early detection of potential challenges and risks, contributing to its deficiency in incorporating feedback.
The waterfall model is not completely infallible. It has certain strengths, but also certain limitations. Thus, it’s important to keep the following pros and cons of waterfall in mind when deciding whether to implement waterfall or not.
Pros
Clear and Defined Roadmap: The necessity of upfront planning in waterfall leads to a clear roadmap for the entire project lifecycle. Each phase has well-defined deliverables and milestones, which fosters transparency and keeps everyone on the same page. This clarity also helps in minimizing the risk of scope creep and ensures better execution
Enhanced Predictability: The structured nature of the waterfall model allows for better predictability in terms of timelines, costs, and resource allocation. With requirements clearly defined upfront, it's easier to estimate the time and resources needed for each phase, leading to more accurate project budgeting and scheduling
Streamlined Development Process: The linear flow of waterfall promotes a streamlined development process. Teams can focus on completing one phase at a time, minimizing the risk of rework
Detailed Documentation: Waterfall methodology emphasizes comprehensive documentation throughout the project lifecycle. Requirements, design specifications, and testing procedures are all meticulously documented. This detailed documentation serves as a valuable resource for future reference, training new team members, or troubleshooting issues during the maintenance phase
Cons
Inflexibility: The linear nature of waterfall can pose a challenge in projects where requirements are subject to change. Adapting to evolving needs can be cumbersome and necessitates revisiting prior phases, rendering waterfall’s advantages
High Initial Investment: The emphasis on upfront planning necessitates significant investment in time and resources before development commences. This can be a drawback for projects with tight budgets or time constraints
Limited User Feedback: Waterfall typically minimizes user feedback until the latter stages of development. This can lead to situations where certain issues are not fully addressed until late in the project lifecycle, potentially requiring costly revisions
The waterfall methodology is best for projects that possess the following characteristics:
There is a variety of software that can facilitate a waterfall model. One of them is ProjectManger.com, a project management software that utilizes Gantt charts and allows its users to assign a time duration for tasks as well as link them to each other – a feature crucial for anyone attempting a waterfall model.
However, it can be rather cumbersome to use. For anyone hoping for an alternative, Asana software is another project management software that has its entire philosophy rooted in ease of use – it sports an intuitive UI, it can visualize your project in several different ways including a linear timeline view and it offers many templates for a variety of models, including waterfall.