Waterfall Project Management: A Simple Guide

To ensure that projects are developed and delivered by your team on time and under budget, choosing the appropriate project management approach is essential. Many different approaches are accessible, each with its own benefits and limitations.

Waterfall project management refers to the conventional method. It is a systematic, linear strategy in which every step is outlined from the start of the undertaking. After finishing the current development phase, you can only advance to the following one. You can no longer go back to the earlier stages after moving forward.

Methodology

A waterfall model is a method of project management that is linear and sequential and prioritizes thorough planning and documentation. In a waterfall project, you must immediately identify every requirement from the client. You then come up with a sequential plan to carry out those demands.

This method divides a project into different waterfall methodology phases. Before proceeding to the following phase, one must be finished. The methodology is less adaptable than other project management methods like the agile approach because it originated in the manufacturing and construction sectors.

What is agile project management?

The agile approach is customer-focused. It embraces change, allowing teams to concentrate on quality by continually enhancing their outputs and processes. In contrast to the waterfall approach, your clients can make adjustments as the project progresses.

Different Phases

There are five to seven phases in the waterfall process. Each stage depends on the one before it. As previously stated, you can only proceed to the following phase when the previous one has ended. The phases that came before cannot be redone. You must start over from scratch if you want to redo them. The many stages of waterfall project management are as follows:

• Everything begins with a thought. You do an initial baseline assessment of your project during this phase. That covers both the project’s expenses and rewards.
• Possibly the most important step in the waterfall process is this phase. By gathering all the requirements at the outset of the project, you may plan each stage without communicating with the client until the project is finished.
• You can go on to the design step after acquiring the requirements. During this phase, no coding takes place. The group has specific criteria, such as the programming language and hardware needed.
• You can provide the client with the deliverables when the product is properly finished. The customer can inspect the item to ensure it satisfies all of their needs.

Advantages

Simple to use

This methodology is quite simple to apply and comprehend. To complete tasks, you don’t need to be familiar with the phases beforehand. Additionally, you can use the same orderly steps for each job.

Reduces stress

The procedure is not disrupted by developer turnover thanks to extensive documentation. By providing copies of the materials to new team members, you may help them get up to speed.

Encourages responsibility

Your team can view and discuss your progress because every project phase has been thoroughly documented. Additionally, you can identify missing deadlines.

Establishes structure

Although the rigidity of the waterfall technique can be a weakness, it can also be a strength, especially when used on the proper projects. Your teams may organize and divide the work because every phase differs from the others.

helps you meet deadlines

A waterfall methodology will be very comforting for projects that need to have set beginning and ending dates. You can deliver the desired results on the dates you specify thanks to its structure.

Scrum vs. Agile vs. Waterfall Project Management

An agile methodology is preferable to a waterfall technique if your project involves a high level of customer interaction. You can make adjustments as the project is being developed without having to restart it because to its flexible approach to project management.

The agile technique is appropriate if you’re working on a project where the clients are unsure of their ultimate conclusion. You may accommodate changes whenever the client demands them using this strategy.

For projects with ambiguous requirements, particularly those that are most likely to change during the development process, scrum is a fantastic option.