The waterfall methodology is a linear project management approach that breaks down development activities into sequential phases, where each phase depends on the deliverables of the previous one
. It is typically used in areas such as engineering design, software development, and construction
. The methodology is characterized by its structured approach, emphasis on documentation, and clear milestones in the development process
. The waterfall methodology was established in 1970 by Winston W. Royce and consists of five phases of management, each requiring a deliverable from the previous phase to proceed
. These phases are:
- Requirements : Potential requirements are gathered and analyzed
- Design : The design is created based on the analyzed requirements
- Development : The actual product or system is developed according to the design
- Testing : The product or system is tested to ensure it meets the requirements and functions correctly
- Implementation : The product or system is deployed and integrated into the existing system or environment
The waterfall methodology is well-suited for projects with clearly outlined objectives from the beginning and requires a high level of reliability
. It is often used in industries such as construction, manufacturing, IT, and software development
. Some advantages of the waterfall methodology include a straightforward and well-defined process, effective time management, and the ability to catch design errors during the analysis and design stages
. However, it can be less flexible and adaptable to changes compared to other project management methodologies like Agile
