What criteria should you consider when deciding whether to use waterfall project management?

2 Stakeholder involvement

Another criterion to consider is the level and frequency of stakeholder involvement in the project. Stakeholders are the people who have an interest or influence on the project outcome, such as customers, sponsors, users, or team members. Waterfall project management requires a high level of stakeholder involvement at the beginning and the end of the project, but not much in between. This means that the stakeholders need to provide clear and detailed requirements at the start of the project and accept the final deliverable at the end of the project, without requesting or expecting any changes or revisions during the project execution. However, if the stakeholders want to be more involved throughout the project, provide feedback or suggestions, or request changes or modifications, waterfall project management may not be able to accommodate them, as it follows a rigid and sequential process that does not allow for iterations or revisions.

3 Project risk

A third criterion to consider is the project risk, which refers to the uncertainty or potential for negative consequences that may affect the project performance, quality, or outcome. Waterfall project management assumes that the project risks are low or manageable, meaning that the project activities, resources, and schedule are predictable and controllable, and that the project deliverables meet the requirements and expectations. However, if the project risks are high or unpredictable, waterfall project management may not be able to cope with them, as it does not have a mechanism for testing, validating, or improving the project deliverables throughout the project lifecycle. Instead, it relies on extensive documentation and verification at each phase of the project, which may not be enough to identify or resolve issues or defects.

4 Project complexity

A fourth criterion to consider is the project complexity, which refers to the degree of difficulty or challenge that the project poses in terms of its size, scope, duration, dependencies, interdependencies, or novelty. Waterfall project management is suitable for projects that have a low or moderate level of complexity, meaning that the project tasks, deliverables, and dependencies are simple, straightforward, and well-understood. This allows you to break down the project into manageable phases and subtasks and follow a logical and sequential order. However, if the project complexity is high, waterfall project management may not be able to handle it, as it does not account for the dynamics, interactions, or variations that may occur within or between the project elements. Instead, it assumes that the project environment is stable and predictable, which may not be realistic or feasible.

5 Project duration

A fifth criterion to consider is the project duration, which refers to the amount of time that the project takes to complete from start to finish. Waterfall project management is appropriate for projects that have a short or medium duration, meaning that the project can be completed within a reasonable and predefined timeframe. This allows you to plan and execute the project activities, resources, and schedule efficiently and effectively, and deliver the project results on time and within budget. However, if the project duration is long, waterfall project management may not be the most efficient or effective method, as it does not allow for any adjustments or improvements to the project plan or deliverables along the way. Instead, it commits to a fixed and rigid plan that may become outdated, irrelevant, or impractical over time.