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Waterfall Model

Animated whiteboard explainer: Waterfall Model

Winston Royce, 1970 0:39 Whiteboard video

Overview

What if every project could be broken down into clear, sequential steps with no room for confusion? That's the promise of the Waterfall Model, a traditional approach to project management.

Key Components

Used primarily in industries where requirements are well-defined and unlikely to change, like construction or manufacturing, it ensures each phase is completed before moving forward. Visualized as a series of cascading stages—requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment—each step flows directly into the next, with no overlap.

How to Apply

To apply it, start by clearly defining all requirements upfront, then move methodically through each phase, ensuring completion before progressing. While rigid, this model offers clarity and control, making it ideal for predictable, large-scale projects.

Key Insight