Benefits of Waterfall Methodology

Waterfall methodology is a linear project management approach that follows a

sequential order of phases, where each phase depends on the completion of
the previous one. Waterfall methodology is widely used in software
development, construction, and other industries that require clear and well-
defined project requirements and deliverables.

In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of waterfall methodology, how it
works, and when it is suitable for your projects.

How Waterfall Methodology Works

Waterfall methodology consists of five to seven phases, depending on the

complexity and scope of the project. The phases are:

Requirements: This is the first and most important phase of waterfall

methodology, where the project manager and the stakeholders gather and
document all the customer requirements, expectations, and specifications for
the project. This phase sets the foundation and scope for the rest of the
project, and it requires a thorough analysis and understanding of the
customer's needs and problems.

Design: In this phase, the project team designs the solutions that will meet the
customer requirements. The design phase can be divided into two sub-phases:
logical design and physical design. Logical design involves brainstorming and
conceptualizing possible solutions, while physical design involves creating
detailed specifications, diagrams, models, and prototypes of the solutions.

Implementation: This is the phase where the project team executes the design
and produces the actual product or service. In software development, this
phase involves coding, testing, debugging, and integrating the software
components. In construction, this phase involves building, installing, and
inspecting the physical structures.

Verification: This is the phase where the project team delivers the product or
service to the customer for review and feedback. The verification phase aims
to ensure that the product or service meets the customer requirements and
expectations, as well as the quality standards and criteria agreed upon at the
beginning of the project.

Maintenance: This is the final phase of waterfall methodology, where the

project team provides ongoing support and maintenance to the customer after
the product or service is delivered. The maintenance phase involves fixing
bugs, errors, defects, and issues that may arise during the use of the product
or service, as well as implementing enhancements, updates, or changes
requested by the customer.

Benefits of Waterfall Methodology

Waterfall methodology offers several benefits for project management, such

as:

Simplicity: Waterfall methodology is easy to understand and follow, as it has a

clear and logical structure that guides the project team through each phase.
The project team knows exactly what to do at each stage, what deliverables to
produce, and what dependencies to consider.

Clarity: Waterfall methodology provides clarity and transparency for both the
project team and the customer. The project team has a clear vision of the
customer requirements and expectations from the start, while the customer
has a clear view of the project progress and deliverables at each phase.
Predictability: Waterfall methodology allows for better planning and control of
the project schedule, budget, scope, and quality. The project team can
estimate the time, cost, resources, and risks involved in each phase, as well as
set realistic deadlines and milestones. The project team can also monitor and
measure the performance and quality of each deliverable against predefined
criteria.

Stability: Waterfall methodology minimizes changes and uncertainties during

the project execution, as it follows a strict sequential order that does not allow
for going back or revising previous phases. The project team can focus on
delivering high-quality products or services that meet or exceed customer
requirements without having to deal with frequent changes or disruptions.

When to Use Waterfall Methodology

Waterfall methodology is the best option for projects that have:

1. Clear and well-defined customer requirements that are unlikely to change

during the project execution
2. Stable and predictable technologies and tools that are familiar to the project
team
3. High-quality standards and criteria that need to be met or verified at each
phase
4. Low complexity and uncertainty that do not require frequent iterations or
feedback loops

About Author: Coddle Technologies provides a complete spectrum of software

development services delivering innovative solutions for Startups, SMBs, and
Enterprises.
Website Link: https://www.coddletech.com/