Residual shear strength should be taken into consideration as well as peak one when analysing stability of slopes constituted by weathered rock or overconsolidated soils since such materials could be subjected to progressive failure mechanism. When landslide of a slope is related to progressive failure phenomenon, the failure might occur even though shear strength of the slope materials does not reach their residual shear strength over the whole slip surface. Therefore, stability of the slope concerned may be overstimated or underestimated when using only its peak or residual shear srength parameters. Mechanical description for progressive failure phenomenon is given by Bjerrum(1967). In parameters. Mechanical description for progressive failure phenomenon is given by Bjerrum(1967). In this study, his theory has been extended to estimate the distance of failed zone for a plane slope and the results calculated by this extended equatio has been compared with that obtained by numerical modelling using FLAC. In addition, stress state on the slip surface has been, in detail, analysed to understand failure mechanism when a limited progressive failure occurs. Effects of mechanical and hydraulic factors on progressive failure have also been analysed.