The waterfall method is EVERYWHERE, entrenched, systematic, and pervasive. Even when you're supposedly doing Agile, there's always half the team still thinking in waterfall.
In any non-digitally-native company, including many F500s, waterfall still happens, is still happening, has always been happening, will likely continue to happen.
And you know what? That's okay. Choose the tools that fit the job, not fit the job to the tool.
Why do you think it's more prevalent in non-digitally-native companies? I've often wondered if it's because those companies are uncomfortable with software development in the first place, so it makes them feel better to have a finish date for the project.
But also, if you're making hardware for example, you can't just go back and 'update' the molds, the assembly line, change the material composition, etc. The lead times are insane, the changes are expensive, and the downstream consequences can be disastrous. This applies to everything from medicine, to farming, to government.
The waterfall method is EVERYWHERE, entrenched, systematic, and pervasive. Even when you're supposedly doing Agile, there's always half the team still thinking in waterfall.
In any non-digitally-native company, including many F500s, waterfall still happens, is still happening, has always been happening, will likely continue to happen.
And you know what? That's okay. Choose the tools that fit the job, not fit the job to the tool.