The Waterfall model is a project management approach that is highly structured in both planning and execution. It is a linear or sequential process where each phase of the project must be completed before moving on to the next. The methodology aims to take stakeholder and customer needs gathered during the planning period and arrange them into a sequential project plan of execution. The Waterfall model is named so because each phase of the project cascades into the next, following steadily down like a waterfall .
The Waterfall model is commonly used by software and product development teams to manage projects . It originated from the manufacturing and construction industries .