Waterfall is a type of software development methodology that follows a sequential, linear approach. It is one of the oldest and most traditional methods used in software development.

Although it is an effective method, it can be challenging to identify when a project is following the waterfall approach, especially in the beginning stages.

In this article, we will discuss how to identify the early symptoms of a waterfall methodology, and what to look out for throughout the development lifecycle.

1. Requirements Gathering

One of the earliest symptoms of the waterfall methodology is the approach to gathering requirements. In a waterfall methodology, requirements are gathered and documented upfront, before any development work begins.

The focus is on defining all the requirements in detail and then moving on to design, development, and testing.

If you see developers and business analysts working together to document requirements with little or no involvement from end-users, this is likely the early stages of a waterfall methodology.

The requirements-gathering phase can be a lengthy process, and this is where the foundation of the project is established.

2. Design Phase

In a waterfall methodology, the next phase after requirements gathering is the design phase. Once the requirements are defined, a detailed design of the software is created.

This design phase is an essential part of the process, as it lays the foundation for the entire development lifecycle.

The design phase can take weeks or even months to complete. The design documents can be extensive, with diagrams and technical specifications.

If you see detailed design documents being created before any actual coding takes place, this is a clear indication that the project is following a waterfall methodology.

3. Development Phase

Following the design phase is the development phase, where the actual coding takes place. In a waterfall methodology, the coding stage usually occurs after the design phase is complete. Hence, the focus is on writing code to implement the design.

The development phase proceeds in a sequential manner, so one stage must be fully complete before moving to the next. For example, coding cannot begin before the design phase is complete.

This means development can be slow, and there is little opportunity to change course once the development stage is completed.

4. Testing Phase

In a waterfall methodology, once development is complete, the software is then tested to ensure it is functioning as expected. The testing phase is an essential part of the process.

It involves testing the software against the documented requirements to verify that it meets the end-users’ needs.

The testing phase can be time-consuming as it involves executing test plans, test cases, and scenarios. If the testing uncovers any issues, the development team will need to fix them before the software is approved for release.

If there is a significant issue with the software, they may need to go back to the development phase to make significant changes.

5. Deployment Phase

The deployment phase is the final stage of the waterfall methodology, where the software is deployed to end-users. Deployment often involves installing the software on end-users’ computers, configuring it, and providing training to the users.

In a waterfall methodology, the deployment stage usually occurs after all the previous stages are complete. If the deployment is successful, the project is considered complete.

However, if there are issues with the software discovered by the end-users, the development team may need to make adjustments and repeat the entire process.

Conclusion

Identifying early symptoms of a waterfall methodology mainly involves watching how requirements are gathered and documented, how development proceeds, and how testing and deployment take place.

By understanding these key stages of the process, you can determine whether a project is following a waterfall methodology or another type of software development methodology.