Waterfall Model

The waterfall model of software development is a process that consists of several phases such as requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Each of these phases is done before the start of another. It really resembles a cascading waterfall. That model has a very rigid, linear approach with very limited alternatives to make changes in case a phase is completed.

These stages can be characterized and divided up in other ways, including the following:

1. Project Planning and Feasibility Study

Objective: Define project goals and assess viability.

Feasibility Analysis: Evaluate technical, operational, and economic feasibility to confirm the project’s value and practicality.

Outcome: A project charter and feasibility report guide the next steps.

2. System Analysis and Requirements Definition

Goal: Gather and refine requirements through stakeholder collaboration.

Key Activities: Identify functional and non-functional needs using interviews, observations, and document analysis.

Outcome: A detailed requirements specification to drive system design.

3. System Design

Objective: Create a blueprint covering UI, data structures, and business logic.

Details: Includes screen layouts, process flows, and technical documentation.

Outcome: A design document that directs the development phase.

4. Implementation

Activity: Developers write, compile, and integrate code according to design specifications.

Standards: Adherence to coding best practices and use of tools like version control.

Outcome: The complete code base ready for integration and testing.

5. Integration and Testing

Purpose: Combine modules and test for functionality, performance, and usability.

Testing Types: Unit, integration, system, and user acceptance testing to identify and resolve issues.

Outcome: A verified, optimized software system.

6. Acceptance, Installation, and Deployment

Objective: Get approval, install in the production environment, and begin user operations.

Process: May involve phased rollout and user training.

Outcome: The live system is operational and monitored for early issues.

7. Ongoing Maintenance and Support

Activities: Routine monitoring, bug fixes, updates, and potential enhancements.

Goal: Ensure continued performance and relevance of the system.

Outcome: A well-maintained and supported software product.

Advantages
  • Simple and easy to use.
  • Easy to manage because the model is rigid-for every phase, there is something that has to be produced in terms of deliverable.
  • There is a review for each phase.
  • Phases are processed and completed in one at a time.
  • Works well for smaller projects where requirements are very well understood.
Disadvantages
  • Adjusting scope in the life cycle can be fatal to a project.
  • No working software is made until late in the life cycle.
  • High amounts of risk and uncertainty.
  • Very poor model for complex as well as object-oriented projects.
  • Poor model for long and ongoing projects.
  • Bad model for requirements with medium to high risk of change.
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