The waterfall model is a linear project management approach, where stakeholder and customer requirements are gathered at the beginning of the project, and then a sequential project plan is created to accommodate those requirements. The waterfall model is so named because each phase of the project cascades into the next, following steadily down like a waterfall.

Omega Waterfall Tactic

Omega uses the Waterfall model to solve business problems with a clear goal.  In the beginning phase, Omega will fully communicate with the client, fully grasp the information, and set an end goal in accordance with the client’s requirements. This process involves the designation of research and decision making, which Omega excels in.  Omega has a wealth of knowledge and data about the industries they serve and a continuous pursuit of the most cutting-edge technologies.  Based on this, Omega can specify an effective strategy to achieve the goal.  Using the Waterfall model, customers will not need to participate in the executive phases of the plan but will only need to participate in testing at the end, which greatly saves their time and energy.  One of the core values of Omega’s services is to form a long-term partnership and mentorship with the customer, so Omega will be responsible for the maintenance of the final product for a long time so that the customer’s requirements can be accurately met.

Figure 1: Phases of Waterfall

Requirement Analysis   

All customer requirements are gathered at the beginning of the project, allowing every other phase to be planned without further customer correspondence until the project is complete. Thorough research should be completed during this phase, including defining models, schemas and business rules. Financial and technology feasibility and various possible strategies to solve the problems are discussed during this phase. These solutions are analyzed based on their benefits and drawbacks. The best solution strategy is chosen as the result.

Design 

The design phase is best broken up into two subphases: logical design and physical design. The logical design subphase is when possible solutions are brainstormed and theorized. The physical design subphase is when those theoretical ideas and schemas are made into concrete specifications. The process of achieving a goal is translated into specific tasks listed.  The time and schedule required for each task are calculated, and a schedule is created.

Implementation 

The is the phase by which the tasks are executed. Each team members will own their tasks and be responsible for completing them and collaborate with the rest of the team. During the phase, the manager need to monitor and track their progress in order to make sure that the project is moving forward as scheduled. Monitoring progress help discover issues and reallocate resource and balance workload to avoid bottlenecks.

In the planning of software development, coding takes place during this process.  Programmers execute code in small pieces.

Verification & Deployment 

This phase is when the project goes through tests and the customer reviews the product to make sure that it meets the requirements at the beginning of the project. At the end of the phase, administrative tasks should be done by the manager to tie everything up.

In the software developing project, each unites modules are being tested along with the coding process. Each unit is integrated to be tested.  When the integration process is complete, the system will be tested by the development team and the customer respectively, and finally, the customer will perform acceptance testing to decide whether to accept or reject the software.

Maintenance 

The customer is regularly using the product during the maintenance phase, discovering bugs, inadequate features and other errors that occurred during production. The production team applies these fixes as necessary until the customer is satisfied. This is an ongoing process that extends as long as the contract dictates. Maintenance tasks includes fixing errors that were not discovered during the development phases, enhancing the functionality of the products to meet the requirement of customers, and meeting the requirements of adapting the product to the new environments, i.e. running the software on a new operating system.

Advantages of the Waterfall Model

Waterfall relies on teams following a sequence of steps and never moving forward until the previous phase has been completed. This structure is suited to smaller projects with deliverables that are easy to define from the start.

1. Uses Clear Structure 

Waterfall focuses most on a clear, defined set of steps. Its structure is simple.

With the Waterfall model, the Omega team will complete an entire step before moving onto the next one, so if there are roadblocks to completion, they’re brought to light right away. Half-finished projects are less likely to get pushed aside, leaving teams with a more complete, polished project in the end.

In addition to being clear, the progression of Waterfall is intuitive. Waterfall does not require certifications or specific training for project managers or employees. Omega team members will be able to jump into the Waterfall system without a steep learning curve slowing their progress if the process and methodology are outlined and explained at the beginning.

2. Determines the end goal early 

At the beginning phase, the waterfall model clearly defines the end product and the goals and make commitment that the development team should avoid deviating from. For small projects with clear goals, this model will keep the Omega team focus on the end goal at all times and avoid getting lost as the project progresses. Using the Waterfall model, Omega always has a clear deadline to avoid getting bogged.

3. Transfers information well 

Waterfall’s approach is highly methodical, and the methodology emphasizes a clean transfer of information at each step. Omega is capable to smooth the flow of personnel changes during the project development and aim to the document information throughout the a project’s life cycle. Whether Omega is passing projects off at each step or experience unexpected personnel changes, Waterfall prioritizes accessible information so new additions to the team can get up to speed quickly if needed. Omega can maximize the benefits from this characteristic of Waterfall by staying organized with the right process.

The Disadvantages of the Waterfall Model

Waterfall faces criticism for being an outdated model. The methodology’s limitations become more apparent depending on the size, type, and goals of the project it’s guiding. Waterfall is based entirely on following a set of steps that keep teams always moving forward. In its traditional form,it leaves almost no room for unexpected changes or revisions.  Uncertainty and frequent change can make the project time and energy consuming.As an internal process, the Waterfall methodology focuses very little on the end-user or client involved with a project. Its main purpose has always been to help internal teams move more efficiently through the phases of a project, which can work well for the software world.  A final disadvantage is that Waterfall executes strictly according to the phases, with no way to move to the next step before completing the previous step.  It puts the verification process at the fourth phase, which leaves the team with less time to fix and deliver the product to the customer on time.  Large revisions could cause significant delays.

Conclusion

The waterfall model is a straightforward project management model. It is characterized by a goal set from the beginning and a project followed by strict steps to achieve the goal. It can be a very convenient method in some situations because it is easy to understand and allows for a smooth transformation of information. While at the same time suffers from a lack of flexibility, any changes to established goals and processes can be costly. The Waterfall model is especially suitable for software development or small projects, but for industries that require significant client or stakeholder involvement or a large amount of modification during the phase, a more agile approach is preferred.