BUS 3800 · Project Management: Waterfall

Led by Goldrattian Constraints Simulacrum

Waterfall through Goldratt's lens — critical chain, project buffers, the PMO, and the diagnostic question that determines which methodology to use.

1. Module 1

   Waterfall: The Sequential Methodology

   Led by Goldrattian Constraints Simulacrum

   The question

   Waterfall works when scope is well-defined, technology is understood, and changes are expensive. It fails when requirements are unclear, technology is novel, or stakeholders change their minds. What is the principle that distinguishes the two — and what are the five phases?

   Outcome

   The student can describe Waterfall phases and identify conditions for its appropriate use.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 1.1 When Waterfall, When Not Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Begin the course → Print certificate of completion
2. Module 2

   The Critical Path vs The Critical Chain

   Led by Goldrattian Constraints Simulacrum

   The question

   Every task has a buffer added by the estimator. That buffer is wasted through late starts and expanded work. The Critical Chain replaces individual buffers with a shared project buffer. Why does removing individual safety improve project outcomes?

   Outcome

   The student can explain the Critical Chain and three buffer types, and describe why individual buffers are counterproductive.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 2.1 The Buffer Problem Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
3. Module 3

   The Project Management Office

   Led by Goldrattian Constraints Simulacrum

   The question

   In a portfolio of twenty projects sharing eighty developers, the constraint is the most heavily loaded developer. Managing the portfolio means managing the constraint. What does a PMO need to provide — and when does it become bureaucracy instead?

   Outcome

   The student can describe three PMO types and design a constraint-aware PMO.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 3.1 Design a PMO Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
4. Module 4

   Waterfall in Practice: The Case Studies

   Led by Goldrattian Constraints Simulacrum

   The question

   The NHS National Programme for IT spent £12.7 billion over eight years and was cancelled. The scope was unclear, the technology was novel, and the requirements changed continuously. What does Goldratt's analysis tell us about why it failed?

   Outcome

   The student can analyse Waterfall failure using constraint theory and identify conditions for hybrid approaches.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 4.1 Case Study Analysis Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
5. Module 5

   Comparing Methodologies

   Led by Goldrattian Constraints Simulacrum

   The question

   Goldratt's diagnostic question is not "should we use Agile or Waterfall?" It is "what is the constraint?" What is the decision framework for methodology selection — and what happens when the wrong methodology is chosen?

   Outcome

   The student can apply a methodology selection framework and analyse a real methodology mismatch.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 5.1 Final Essay: Methodology Selection Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion