{"id":4765,"date":"2022-12-26T12:33:56","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T17:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/?p=4765"},"modified":"2024-03-07T01:39:11","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T06:39:11","slug":"what-is-waterfall-project-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/what-is-waterfall-project-management\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Waterfall Project Management?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wanted your project to flow smoothly and fluidly like water? Well, then, the <\/span>waterfall project management methodology<\/b> is what you need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Waterfall project management <\/b>is a linear project management methodology<\/a> that progresses through distinct stages to reach the end. However, it requires extensive planning, documentation, and implementation to get a taste of success.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this post, we take a detailed look at <\/span>what is<\/b> the<\/span> waterfall approach in project management<\/b> and why and when you should be using it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is waterfall project management?<\/span><\/h2>\n

As mentioned previously, the <\/span>waterfall project management method<\/b> follows a sequential and linear approach to project management. Here, the entire project lifecycle is divided into clearly defined discrete stages, with one cascading into the other and so on. The project will transition from one phase to another only when the previous one is absolutely complete. Further, the flow of the project is unidirectional; that is, once a phase is over, it terminates, and it is not possible to revisit it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Waterfall<\/p>\n

Given this background, it found great relevance in manufacturing and construction, where the subsequent steps are heavily reliant on the completion of the previous ones. For instance, you cannot install the roof until your walls are ready. Along the same lines, you cannot go back to a previous phase. Say, you cannot revert from an assembly line to manufacture an internal component that was to be put together or installed in the product! Once manufacturing is over, it is over.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite such niche applications in the initial years, the <\/span>waterfall project management methodology<\/b> has matured since to accommodate the needs of different industries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Phases of waterfall project management methodology<\/span><\/h2>\n

To recapitulate, the <\/span>waterfall project management methodology comprises distinct phases that are arranged sequentially. One phase should begin only when the previous one is wholly complete. Now that you have a foundational knowledge of <\/span>what is waterfall approach in project management, let\u2019s talk about its different phases.<\/p>\n

Typically, there are five to seven <\/span>waterfall project phases<\/b> in your average project. However, the five fundamental ones are as below:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Requirements <\/span><\/h3>\n

The requirement-gathering stage is the first phase of planning in <\/span>waterfall project management<\/b>. Here, the stakeholders will come together to capture all possible information related to the project – from specifications to benchmarks to timelines and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Remember, the waterfall model flows unidirectionally, and you cannot come back to this stage. As such, be as upfront and meticulous as possible while capturing requirements. Also, follow this step up with thorough documentation and validation. In all probability, this stage will take up a chunk of your project timeline – and there\u2019s nothing wrong with it considering the payoff.<\/span><\/p>\n

During this phase, you will be:<\/span><\/p>\n