Waterfall Project Management is a specific approach to tackling a project. It is linear and follows a series of stages or phases.

This video is safe for viewing in the workplace.
This is learning, so, sit back and enjoy
The term ‘Waterfall’ was first used in 1976.
But, an earlier, 1970 article by Winston W. Royce, presented this approach as an example of a flawed, non-working model for software development.
So, Waterfall is often used as a pejorative term for a style of project management that is, frankly, not well-suited to many software development projects.
But it is extremely well-suited to other projects, in domains like construction, engineering, and manufacturing. These require a highly-planned approach and have a clearly-defined and fixed end-requirement.
Planned Project Management /
Predictive Project Management
So, I prefer the more precise terms Planned Project Management or Predictive Project Management to ‘Waterfall’ Project Management. In addition, these don’t carry the stigma that some software Project Managers and Agile practitioners heap upon a highly effective approach to Project Management.
Typical Stages
Waterfall Project Management Stages are often represented as the stages that are well suited to software development.
Hence, the confusion as to whether it is an appropriate approach. These stages are:
- Requirements Gathering
- Design (and documentation)
- Implementation (of working software)
- Testing (to verify the solution)
- (Installation, or Deployment)
- Maintenance
Generic Project Lifecycle Model
However, a more generic lifecycle model, like the one that we use for OnlinePMCourses training better represents the generality of the kinds of projects for which predictive project management is well-suited:
- Definition
- Planning
- Delivery
- (Handover)
- Closure
Some characteristics of Predictive or Waterfall Project Management
- Robust definition of the end product
- Careful planning and budgeting
- High levels of project governance, leading to significant use of documentation
Not True about Waterfall Project Management
Accusations are often made by detractors of the approach, which are simply not true of predictive project management in skilled hands:
- Low engagement with customers and stakeholders
- An ‘all at once, big bang approach to delivery’
- Allows for no refinement of or change to the scope or specifications
Recommended Videos.
Carefully curated video recommendations for you:
- The Project Lifecycle: A Basic 4-stage Lifecycle model
- What is Change Control?
- What is Agile Project Management?
- Project Management Fundamentals: 40-minute Outline of the Project Management Process
Change Control
For full details about how to implement Change Control in your predictive project:
For more great Project Management videos, please subscribe to the OnlinePMCourses YouTube channel.
If you want basic Management Courses – free training hosted on YouTube, with 2 new management lessons a week, check out our sister channel, Management Courses.
For more of our Project Management videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
What is Waterfall Project Management? | Video Share on X