Is there a waterfall mentality in non-tech fields still? I would assume yes, especially if there is an academic component to the field, and it's based on a soc

Is there a waterfall mentality in non-tech fields still? I would assume yes, especially if there is an academic component to the field, and it's based on a social science (ie theories are unprovable). PhD's design the crap out of things, and then pass it on for implementation, during which, half their design assumptions will prove wrong. The only example I have is esoteric: library science. others? Journalism?