The Hidden Advantages of the Waterfall Model

This may come as a shock to you software developers out there, but a recent survey shows that 56% of project professionals still rely on the Waterfall model of development. Most developers have — seemingly — been pushing for Agile since the early 2000s and — again, seemingly — shunned the Waterfall approach. I once asked a scrum master if there were any advantages to a Waterfall methodology, and his immediate response was, “Waterfall? Ew. Why?” So, yes, it seems as if there is a large move away from waterfall, but this unexpected statistic subverts our expectations and emphasizes the lasting advantages of the waterfall model that keep it relevant in today's development world.

The Waterfall methodology evolved through centuries, and served industries like construction and manufacturing before IT adopted it in the 1970s. This well-laid-out approach works best with projects that have clear, deliverable goals. It proves invaluable for safety-critical systems like aerospace and medical software development, where precision and documentation remain essential.

Our discussion will reveal why the Waterfall approach stands as a powerful choice in 2025. We will explore its unique strengths in enterprise environments and share success stories that prove its significance in modern software development.

Why Waterfall Model Still Matters in 2025

"Waterfall projects tend to take longer because all requirements must be agreed upon before development can begin. Agile projects, on the other hand, are usually delivered more rapidly than waterfall projects due to the iterative development cycles used in agile." — Float Editorial Team, Resource management software company

Current state of software development

The Waterfall model's strengths really stand out in industries that need careful documentation and regulatory compliance. Healthcare systems, financial institutions, and government projects consistently pick the waterfall approach because of its well-laid-out framework. Large corporations and government agencies still use Waterfall methodology in their current IT projects, as they value its predictable outcomes and clear project structure.

Rise of Waterfall methodology

The software development life cycle waterfall model has grown since its 1970s beginnings. Computer scientist Winston W. Royce first introduced it, and the methodology adapted to modern needs while keeping its core principles. As we noted above, this step-by-step approach — a methodical plodding through one phase before moving to the next — wasn’t new when he introduced it, but it was somewhat pioneering to apply it to software development (for those who are interested, you can read his original paper here).

Modern challenges in project management

Project management today faces several key challenges that the waterfall model handles effectively:

• Budget Management: Studies show that 49.5% of manufacturing managers see costs as their biggest project management challenge
• Scope Definition: Research shows 39% of projects fail because of poor planning and unclear goals
• Communication Issues: Deloitte reports 32% of professionals name communication as their main project management concern

The Waterfall model in software engineering offers solutions through detailed documentation and an organized approach. Because each phase is completely laid out and planned before the project begins, the above challenges are all mostly, if not completely, eliminated. In fact, organizations with long-term contracts or those needing detailed budget proposals often choose this methodology because it's predictable. Some might see the model's rigid nature as a drawback, but others value it as a strength, especially when precision and documentation matter most.

Core Strengths of Waterfall Approach

“If the project has no room for error at any step (something that relies on ABC being done completely and perfect before D and E are started), it would almost have to use Waterfall.“
-Chris Haggard, Quality Assurance Analyst

The waterfall model's advantages in software development are built on organized analysis and step-by-step progression. This systematic approach runs on clear organization and defined deliverables.

Clear project structure

The waterfall methodology sets up a precise hierarchy of phases that teams must complete in sequence. This step-by-step approach creates a logical flow and reduces the risk of incomplete tasks.

The model's structure provides these key benefits:

• Clear milestones and defined scope to track progress accurately
• Standard processes that help teams communicate efficiently
• Detailed documentation at each project phase
• Quick onboarding for new team members

The waterfall approach requires teams to complete each phase thoroughly. This requirement brings potential roadblocks to light without doubt so teams can fix issues before they grow into bigger problems.

Predictable outcomes

The waterfall model in software engineering runs on its power to deliver predictable results. Project managers can create precise roadmaps by working backwards from the end goal through detailed planning and documentation.

This well-laid-out methodology gives better project control in multiple ways. The fixed structure helps teams predict and manage budgets better. The detailed documentation throughout each phase will give a solid record of decisions and project history for future reference.

Teams can estimate specific time allocations better because the model emphasizes thorough planning during the requirement and design phases. The clear goals set from the start give teams steadfast dedication to work toward defined objectives.

Enterprise-Level Benefits

Software development in large enterprises comes with its own set of challenges. These companies need to focus on compliance, risk management, and documentation. The Waterfall model works best in these complex organizational setups.

Regulatory compliance advantages

Through its well-laid-out approach in industries with strict regulatory requirements, this model gives substantial benefits. It's focus on complete documentation and systematic progression aligns with regulatory demands perfectly. This becomes a vital part of success in healthcare, finance, and government projects where teams must follow strict standards.

We already know that a large part of compliance deals with regular and thorough documentation. The Waterfall approach requires documenting every phase systematically, creating an audit trail that meets regulatory requirements. It’s kind of a two-bird, one-stone scenario.

Risk management capabilities

The Waterfall model helps teams spot and fix risks early in software engineering. This well-laid-out approach brings several benefits for enterprise risk management:

• Teams can spot risks at each project phase
• Risk assessment happens before implementation
• Mitigation strategies stay well-documented
• Risk monitoring follows a clear structure

Early planning reduces the chances that changes will get pricey later in development, allowing developers to find and fix design issues before writing code thanks. It’s that old saying, “Failure to plan is a plan to fail.” This methodology requires a clear roadmap from start to finish.

Documentation benefits

Let’s return to the documentation part for a moment. Beyond regulatory requirements, because each phase creates detailed records, new team members learn faster. Instead of coming into a project halfway and trying to figure out what everyone is doing, there’s documentation to read to catch you up to speed. Moreover, projects stay consistent because the process creates steps anyone can follow.

These detailed records are also a great way to get help with future maintenance and changes. And while this can also happen with an Agile approach (of course - there’s no reason why you can’t document things in any situation), the very nature of this model ensures that there is documentation for any further improvements or fixes.

Industries Where Waterfall Excels

Some industries showcase how the Waterfall methodology consistently produces better results. These sectors share common traits: strict regulatory requirements, safety-critical systems, and complex documentation needs. We’ve already seen a few brief examples of this, but let’s go a little bit deeper.

Healthcare systems

Medical software development needs precision and reliability because errors could directly harm patient safety. The well-laid-out nature of the waterfall approach will give healthcare systems that meet regulatory standards and keep patient data secure. And while Agile models do provide flexibility and broader collaboration, the Waterfall approach works best for healthcare software because it provides:

• Complete documentation for regulatory compliance
• Well-defined testing phases for patient safety
• Clear validation processes for medical equipment
• Step-by-step risk management

Government projects

Public sector organizations often use the Waterfall model for large-scale system developments. Government agencies value this structured approach, particularly when it comes to full documentation and accountability in public projects.

Government projects succeed with the waterfall approach because it offers:

• Clear budget predictions for public funding
• Complete documentation for accountability
• Well-defined phases for regulatory compliance
• Detailed specifications for procurement processes

Federal software development contracts have historically required a hybrid methodology that combines the documentation and rigid structure of Waterfall with the constant development and improvements of Agile.

The Waterfall model in software engineering remains a consistent choice for these industries (even if it’s a hybrid) because it handles their unique challenges effectively. This structured approach keeps delivering reliable results.

Conclusion

Agile methodologies may dominate modern software development talks, but the Waterfall model continues to deliver consistent results in regulated industries. Many consider it outdated, yet successful implementations show how effectively it handles projects that need strict documentation and compliance.

Healthcare, financial, and government sectors often showcase the Waterfall methodology's strengths. Its well-laid-out approach delivers predictable outcomes through detailed planning and systematic execution. Organizations that handle sensitive data or critical systems benefit from its extensive documentation and clear risk management protocols.

Smart project managers evaluate requirements carefully before selecting a development methodology. The Waterfall model works best for projects where precision, compliance, and documentation matter more than quick deployment. The right methodology should match your project needs and organizational goals rather than following the latest trends.

So while Agile gets a great deal of attention (and rightfully so, since it is a more flexible model), immediately discounting Waterfall methodologies is, essentially, discarding some very serious benefits. So next time you are involved in a discussion about which methodology to use, take some time to consider which approach would work best for your team and project.