What is the Waterfall methodology?

The Waterfall methodology is a linear and sequential approach to project management, characterized by its phase-by-phase structure, where each phase must be completed before moving on to the next.

Projects are divided into distinct phases, with no overlap between them, resembling the flow of a waterfall.

Often visualized using Gantt charts, the Waterfall methodology is commonly used in industries like construction.

Unlike agile frameworks, the Waterfall approach does not easily accommodate changes once a phase is completed, treating any change as a potential risk against the defined plan.

Waterfall typically has the following phases: requirement gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

The initial phase involves the detailed collection and documentation of all project requirements.

This phase includes both high-level and detailed design work, specifying the system architecture and interfaces.

The actual development work begins, based on the design specifications from the previous phase.

Each component is tested to ensure it meets the specified requirements and functions as intended.

The completed project is deployed or released to end-users or customers.

Maintenance and ongoing support activities are carried out to ensure the project continues to function correctly.