Waterfall model and its use in the development of web projects
The waterfall model is a project management concept where the sequence between steps is maintained. In this case, there is no possibility to skip any of the steps or to go back to the previous one. Only after one step has been successfully completed, the next step is started.
Most often, the waterfall model is used for medium and large projects that involve a large number of specialists. This concept, for example, helps organize the process of developing web products if several teams of programmers need to be involved and the requirements for the process are defined only at the initial stage.
The waterfall model has certain principles, which are the basis of this concept. The key point of the concept is to document the stages of the project, fixing all the details. According to the model, you cannot skip the stages of development or start the next one when the previous one is not yet completed. It so happens that the requirements for the product change, then they need to be reflected in the TOR and complemented by a list of operations. It is important to understand that when using the waterfall model, you cannot go one step back, which means that changes need to be made in time. However, during the testing process, the team will be able to identify errors and correct them or make additions.
The waterfall model has its advantages, but the disadvantages are not excluded.
The first thing to understand is that the concept has been used since the 1970s, and a number of its requirements and principles are outdated. More flexible methodologies have emerged, such as Agile. However, this does not mean that “Waterfall” is not effective. The main advantage of the model is that it is sustainable throughout the entire period of product development. Even if the composition of the team of specialists changes, detailed documentation allows the project to continue without delay.
In this case, the work on the product begins with an analysis of the requirements, the study of the customer’s terms of reference, and all the conditions of work. Such detailed documentation helps to avoid difficulties in the implementation process, and if programmers strictly follow the specified plan, the project will be completed strictly within the specified time.
In addition, a variant of the waterfall model concept with intermediate control allows you to timely notice deviations from the fixed plan and adjust the processes. It is important that the project manager controls each stage, disciplines, and organizes the team.
You should understand that when using this methodology, it is extremely difficult to foresee all the problems at the beginning of the project. You also have to spend a lot of time on the preparation of documentation, which is not always convenient. In addition, the customer receives the product only at the final stage, which means that there is a risk that the programmers’ vision may not coincide with the initial idea.
