Thanks to dang, we know exactly where the waterfall model came from: https://www.cs.umd.edu/class/spring2003/cmsc838p/Process/waterfall.pdf https://www.cs.umd.

Thanks to dang, we know exactly where the waterfall model came from: https://www.cs.umd.edu/class/spring2003/cmsc838p/Process/waterfall.pdf https://www.cs.umd.edu/class/spring2003/cmsc838p/Process/wat... http://www.craiglarman.com/wiki/downloads/misc/history-of-iterative-larman-and-basili-ieee-computer.pdf http://www.craiglarman.com/wiki/downloads/misc/history-of-it... It starts with a brilliant writeup on software process that shows waterfall as an example of what not to do. That document recommends iterative practices. Then, it got twisted into the waterfall model that was applied everywhere. The OP's comparisons to religion are quite warranted here.