What is Waterfall project management?

The waterfall model is a sequential (non-iterative) design process, used in software development processes, in which progress is seen as flowing steadily downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases of conception, initiation, analysis, design, construction, testing, production/implementation and maintenance. read more

In a true Waterfall development project, each of these represents a distinct stage of software development, and each stage generally finishes before the next one can begin. There is also typically a stage gate between each; for example, requirements must be reviewed and approved by the customer before design can begin. read more

Waterfall project management uses a traditional approach towards managing projects. As the term suggests, the phases in a waterfall model flows logically from top to bottom, like a waterfall. This model is mostly used for software development; and involves a number of phases, such as conceptualization and requirements determination, designing, implementation, verification and maintenance. read more

While advocates of agile software development argue the waterfall model is an ineffective process for developing software, some sceptics suggest that the waterfall model is a false argument used purely to market alternative development methodologies. read more