Waterfall

By Miranda Dulin

Published in Glossary

October 03, 2023

1 min read

Definition of Waterfall

Waterfall is a linear and sequential approach to project management, with distinct phases progressing in a cascade.

Back of a vocabulary card for the term Waterfall

Example Sentence

Waterfall involves step-by-step progression, where each phase must be completed before moving to the next.

Agile practitioners should understand the term “waterfall” to comprehend traditional project management methodologies. Waterfall represents a sequential, linear approach to software development, where each phase of the project (such as planning, design, implementation, testing, and deployment) cascades into the next phase. Being familiar with waterfall methodologies helps agile practitioners appreciate the differences between traditional and agile approaches, recognizing the limitations of rigid, sequential processes and the benefits of iterative, adaptive approaches. This understanding enables practitioners to make informed decisions about choosing the most suitable approach for a given project.