Many project management methodologies have iterative review stages peppered throughout development. For this reason, it’s unsuitable for projects where the goals have a decent chance of changing. The waterfall methodology cannot accommodate changing requirements. Too rigid for complex or ongoing projects. For example, if the intake process was rushed or incomplete, stakeholders might not be happy with the final product some time later – meaning wasted time and effort. As the entire project is laid out in advance (and there’s no going backward), there’s a certain level of risk when using the waterfall methodology. However, there are also several disadvantages to using the waterfall methodology: It can be approached using the waterfall method by adopting key principles – like consistent, upfront documentation – and reframing the sales funnel as a one-way waterfall through the steps of lead generation, marketing qualification, sales qualification and finally closing the deal. If you often conduct similar projects, you can use much of what you developed for previous projects to inform new ones.Īdaptability to varied applications. The waterfall methodology is straightforward, especially compared with more complex project management methods. Due to the rigidity of the process, each phase has specific deliverables and milestones, making it easy to manage (and track).Ī simple structure means you can duplicate projects. This prevents you from wasting either and ensures that the project will be more streamlined.Ī streamlined process means it’s easy to manage. Since you put so much effort into documenting and planning your project at the beginning, you’re more likely to invest your time and money optimally. This means that your projected budget and timeline are unlikely to change.Įxtensive planning makes implementation easy. There is little to no feedback and collaboration, and the project simply progresses through milestones toward completion. Using the waterfall model, all goals and requirements for the project are delineated upfront. The benefits of the waterfall methodology include:Ī fixed budget and timeline. Due to this, it has several advantages and disadvantages that can make or break your project. The waterfall methodology works best in very specific use cases. The benefits and drawbacks of the waterfall methodology It’s especially well-known for its use in software development to create products like customer relationship managers (CRMs) and similar project management tools. However, it has since been adapted more generally to project management as a whole. Similarly, you also can’t begin laying bricks until the concrete foundation is down. For example, there’s no way to “unpour” concrete. In construction, once a stage has been completed, it’s often irreversible. The waterfall approach has been popular in the construction industry where there needs to be a strict order to activities. As you won’t be able to receive feedback from clients throughout the process, you need to make sure to document all essential requirements before starting the project. To solve some of the limitations of the waterfall method, documenting each stage in detail upfront is critical. In-depth upfront documentation of the entire process. After this, due to the strict structure of the waterfall model, there’s no way to implement changes and stakeholder communication ceases. Due to the structure of the waterfall methodology, you must document all stakeholder interactions in the first stage. Little to no stakeholder involvement after the first stage. Instead, if something goes wrong, you must start at stage one again. There’s no going back or changing course if something unexpected happens. When using the waterfall method, you split your project into discrete stages. There are three basic principles to the waterfall methodology: Likewise, using the waterfall method, you only move on to the next stage when the current stage is 100% complete. The water can’t reach the next pool until it is full and overflows into the next. These pools represent each stage in the project management timeline, from planning to development to release. Imagine a series of pools separated by waterfalls. The word “waterfall” illustrates the way that water flows in one direction down a waterfall, as you can only complete each project stage in order – no backtracking is allowed. The waterfall methodology involves breaking down each part of a project into clearly defined, sequential phases.
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