Waterfall methodology is a software development approach where the process flows from top to bottom like a waterfall. It is a linear, sequential approach where one phase of development must be completed before the next one starts.

Though waterfall methodology has its benefits, it is often criticized for its rigidity, as it does not offer much room for changes. Nevertheless, here are six understated indications of the waterfall method that you should be aware of:.

1. Concrete Documentation

One of the significant benefits of using the waterfall methodology in software development is that there is a detailed documentation process that takes place. It allows teams to create a roadmap of their project, which they can follow strictly.

The documentation process records each development step, ensuring that all the necessary components are in place before moving onto the next phase.

2. Strict Deadlines

Waterfall methodology has strict deadlines, which help to ensure that every phase is completed on time. Each phase has to be signed off before moving onto the next one. This ensures that the entire project is completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Missing deadlines could cause a delay in the entire process, which could prove to be costly for the business.

3. Defined Requirements

The waterfall methodology requires that all requirements for the software development project are defined upfront. Once defined, all stakeholders are informed of these requirements.

This approach ensures everyone across the development process has the same understanding of the project requirements, which helps minimize communication issues. It ensures that the final product meets the stakeholder’s expectations.

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4. Predictable Results

The waterfall methodology provides predictable results. By the end of every phase, there is a clearly defined deliverable.

This approach makes it easy to track progress and predict an endpoint, which is not the case with other development methodologies like Agile. Agile development has blurred lines between development stages, making it difficult to predict the endpoint accurately.

5. Minimalistic customer involvement

Waterfall methodology requires minimal customer involvement. After the requirements are defined, the customer is not required to interfere with the development process.

This approach allows developers to have more autonomy, which can be beneficial for the team. However, given that customer requirements can change with time, this approach can prove insufficient for fast-paced development businesses.

6. Limited Testing Phase

The waterfall methodology has a limited testing phase. Testing is only done at the end of the development process, ensuring that the finished product meets all the predefined requirements.

However, testing only at the end of the development process can prove to be very costly and may not necessarily catch all the bugs that occur during the development process. This is opposed to Agile development, where testing is done continuously throughout the development process.

Conclusion

The waterfall methodology has its benefits and drawbacks, as highlighted.

The level of involvement required for this development method can prove to be insufficient when dealing with complex projects, and it is not ideal in a fast-paced development environment. However, for simple projects, the level of predictability and a clear roadmap of development stages can prove extremely beneficial. Ultimately, every development project should be evaluated to determine the best approach to take.