# What is the Waterfall Methodology? | Capterra | Capterra > The waterfall methodology in project management is an approach that uses a linear progression from beginning to end. With our guide, learn more about the waterfall methodology and how to use it for your business. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-waterfall-methodology --- Program & Project Management # What Is the Waterfall Methodology in Project Management? By William Delong William Delong William Delong is a writer and editor who has covered a variety of topics including legal, medical, marketing, and technology for over 13 years. He is a freq... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/wdelong/) Published February 7, 2023 4 min read Table of Contents - [Phases of the Waterfall methodology model](#phases-of-the-waterfall-methodology-model) - [Waterfall methodology advantages](#waterfall-methodology-advantages) - [Waterfall methodology disadvantages](#waterfall-methodology-disadvantages) - [When to use the Waterfall methodology](#when-to-use-the-waterfall-methodology) - [Agile vs. Waterfall methodology](#agile-vs-waterfall-methodology) ## Waterfall methodology is a popular project management option that takes a linear, step-by-step approach. Are you a manager or company leader looking for a way to keep your team focused on moving a project forward? Many possibilities are worth considering, and you'll find plenty of [software options](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) to mull over.  Waterfall methodology is the oldest formal project management framework used today. Dr. Winston Royce created it in 1970 after studying construction and manufacturing firms. Below, we'll discuss the Waterfall methodology and how you can use it for your business. ### What is the Waterfall methodology? The Waterfall methodology or model focuses on the sequential stages of a workflow. Individuals or teams must complete each stage before moving to the next one. Imagine a stream of water moving from the top of a rocky waterfall, splashing on one ledge after another. That's the metaphor behind the Waterfall methodology. ## Phases of the Waterfall methodology model Waterfall methodology uses five distinct phases that are repeatable for each project on your team.  ### 1\. Requirements Think of this as the planning stage. Teams, including the customer, outline a project's high-level goals and requirements. For example, your goal might be to create a 30-page custom website in three months.  ### 2\. Design Once the project goals are in place, you'll design the steps and tools you need to get there by developing a Waterfall strategy. For instance, you determine that the 30-page custom website must load fast, be accessible, and handle many embedded videos for product and service demonstrations. Therefore, your team decides to use a particular content management system (CMS) that supports the high-level user experience needed to achieve these goals. ### 3\. Implementation Implementation covers the bulk of the project activity. In this phase, everyone works on dedicated tasks determined from phase one and phase two. Time-tracking is vital during the implementation phase of Waterfall methodology to ensure everyone stays on task. For that custom website, a team will need to make a wireframe of the site, add design elements and content, and develop it on a live server. ### 4\. Verification/testing Once the project is ready to go live, your [QA team](https://www.capterra.com/quality-management-software/) tests it to see how it's running. This is your final step before making it live. With a new website build, QA team members look for page load speed, buttons that work, colors aligning correctly, videos loading as they should, and typos in copy. Every QA finding is documented so it can be corrected. ### 5\. Deployment and maintenance Congratulations! Your project is ready to go to the customer. You deliver it to the client, and it's in great shape. You may have to perform maintenance on your deliverable as it evolves and is used. In our example, websites may need plugins updated in a few months, or new software is released and upgrades become available. ## Waterfall methodology advantages Waterfall methodology offers several benefits with clearly defined deliverables. - Easy to understand from one stage to the next. - Scalable across any type of project or team in your company. - Uncomplicated document completion stages and deliverables. - Straightforward time management and tracking. - Easy to arrange tasks within the project scope and goals. - Great for small budgets and simple projects, but can be expanded as sub-projects of a larger one. ## Waterfall methodology disadvantages Although it's easy to understand and widely used, the Waterfall methodology has some disadvantages: - Not the best for long-running or complex projects, although [agile project management tools](https://www.capterra.com/agile-project-management-tools-software/) can help. - Deliverables and viable end products may not occur until the very last stage of the project. - Measuring progress within stages may be difficult without [time-tracking software](https://www.capterra.com/time-tracking-software/).  - Changing requirements or unforeseen problems may derail a project, causing delays. - Uncertainty can cause delays or work stoppages. - Does not work well when changes occur within a project. ## When to use the Waterfall methodology The best projects for the Waterfall methodology are clearly defined with understood requirements and definite deadlines. It's great for low-risk, technology-based projects with well-known tools and tech, such as software and app development.  Projects that see great results with Waterfall include: - Computer programming - Website design - Marketing campaigns - Manufacturing - Construction - Production work ## Agile vs. Waterfall methodology The differences between Agile and Waterfall methodologies are subtle yet important. Agile typically has several delivery phases before the final product is finished, and the customer is heavily involved in every stage.  Waterfall methodology usually involves the customer only at the beginning and end, or at most after each phase. The product is delivered in the final stage. Agile allows teams to make changes on the fly when needed, while Waterfall is less adaptable when things go out of process. Furthermore, some projects can run concurrently within an Agile framework, with fewer dependencies on task completion compared to Waterfall. Ready to explore Waterfall methodology? Any project management methodology works best when paired with the right project management platform. Visit Capterra's [project management software directory](https://www.capterra.com/resources/category/program-and-project-management/) to find the right tool for your project, whichever methodology you choose.  Check out this additional reading that can help you and your team explore the effects that project management can have on your business model: - [10 Best Project Management Tools](https://www.capterra.com/resources/best-project-management-tools/) - [5 Key Project Management Software Features and Top Products That Offer Them](https://www.capterra.com/resources/key-features-of-project-management-software/) - [From Task Manager to Strategic Partner: How Project Managers Can Become More Influential](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-project-managers-can-become-more-influential/) ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * Looking for Project Management software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Project Management software](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### William Delong](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/wdelong/) William Delong is a writer and editor who has covered a variety of topics including legal, medical, marketing, and technology for over 13 years. 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