The first Process Model to be introduced was the Waterfall Model. A linear-sequential life cycle model is another name for it. It is really easy to comprehend and use. In a waterfall model, each phase must be completed before moving on to the next, and the phases do not overlap.
The waterfall model is one of the first models of software development in which activities are completed in a sequential order, beginning with feasibility and progressing through various tasks until live implementation. Requirements feed into the design, which feeds into the construction or implementation, and eventually into the testing. It’s been tough to have feeds passed back up the waterfall because the testing process occurs at the conclusion of the model.
The Waterfall model is the most basic SDLC approach for software development.
The waterfall model depicts the software development process as a sequential flow of events. This indicates that any step of the development process can start only after the previous one has finished. The phases in this waterfall model do not overlap.
We must comprehend its implementation strategy in light of both internal and external aspects, which can include the following:
- In the application, there are no confusing requirements.
- Product definition consistency
- It is technology that is comprehended.
- It isn’t moving.
- The product is supported by a large number of resources with the necessary experience.
- Quite a little project.
- The text is well-written, with clear and well-defined requirements.
To begin with, I’d like to state that Winston W. Royce published the first sample of the waterfall model in an article in 1970. Since then, the waterfall model has stipulated that one should only go on to the next phase once all prior phases have been thoroughly tested, reviewed, and verified. The natural succession of phase steps is emphasised. Its function is comparable to how water flows over the cliff’s edge. Because it grows consistently from one phase to the next in a downward pattern, this approach to software development has been given the moniker waterfall.
Because it grows consistently from one phase to the next in a downward pattern, this approach to software development has been given the moniker waterfall. The waterfall model has been widely utilised in the field of software development since Winston W. Royce originally published it in 1970. Programming models are used in the software development process cycle to plan the various stages of producing an application. The waterfall model is an example of such a model.
Designing a Waterfall Model
The Waterfall Approach was the first SDLC Model to be widely utilised in Software Engineering to ensure project success. The entire software development process is separated into several phases in “The Waterfall” technique. Typically, the output of one phase serves as the input for the following phase in this Waterfall approach.
We can see that the waterfall model comprises a total of seven phases in the software design and development cycle, which are as follows:
- Requirements
- Analysis
- Design
- Implementation / coding
- Testing
- Deployment and operation
- Maintenance
As can be seen, the waterfall model works in a hierarchical fashion from top to bottom, with one phase completed with full verifications before moving on to the next phase, which includes phases such as conception, initiation, analysis, design, construction, testing, production/implementation, and maintenance. To gain a more in-depth understanding of the waterfall model, we must first grasp all of its processes in conjunction with its work model. Before moving on to the more advanced stages of knowledge, there is a foundational step that must be grasped.
It’s about the software product’s feasibility study. It takes care of the project’s financial and technical requirements. This phase focuses on correcting the measures based on the benefits and downsides that have been identified.
The Waterfall Model’s consecutive phases are as follows:
- Gathering and analysing requirements
This phase captures all feasible needs for the system to be created and documents them in a requirement specification document.
- Designing a System
This phase examines the requirements specifications from the previous phase and prepares the system design. This system design aids in designing the overall system architecture as well as describing hardware and system requirements.
- Putting it into action
The system is first built as discrete programmes called units, which are then merged in the next phase, using inputs from the system design. Unit testing is the process of developing and testing each unit for its functionality.
- Testing and Integration
After each unit has been tested, all of the units built during the implementation phase are merged into a system. The entire system is then tested for any flaws or failures after it has been integrated.
The system’s deployment consists of the following steps:
The product is deployed in the client environment or released into the market once functional and non-functional testing is completed.
System testing is made up of three different sorts of activities, as listed below:
- Alpha Testing is a method of determining the effectiveness of a product. The development team is in charge of testing.
- Beta Testing is the process of putting a product through its paces. It is the testing carried out by a pleasant group of customers and users.
- Acceptance testing entails putting a product through its pace It is completed following both alpha and beta testing. In most cases, this testing occurs after the consumer has received the product. Following the customer’s testing, a decision is made as to whether this programme is acceptable or should be rejected. In this phase, the main focus is on bug debugging.
- Keeping up with maintenance
In the client environment, there are a few challenges that arise. Patches are published to address these vulnerabilities. In order to improve the product, newer versions have been produced. Maintenance is carried out in order to bring about these modifications in the customer’s environment.
- Maintenance that is corrective:
Some mistakes are not identified during the design and development phase; they are only discovered when the consumer utilises them. This is merely corrective maintenance, which implies that flaws or errors that were not detected during the development process are being addressed.
- Maintaining Perfection:
This type of maintenance is performed in response to client demands to improve and expand the system’s or software’s functionality.
- Maintenance that adapts:
It is the maintenance that is required when the system environment is switched. Usually required when transferring an existing system to a new environment, a new machine, or a new operating system. This step is crucial since it leads to improved system performance.
All of these phases are connected in a cascade, with progress appearing to flow smoothly downwards (like a waterfall) through them. The next phase begins only after the preceding phase’s established set of goals has been met and it has been signed off, hence the term “Waterfall Model.” Phases do not overlap in this model.
When Should You Use The Waterfall Model?
After circling all of the possibilities, we’ve arrived to a point where we’d like to know when the waterfall model should be used.
The waterfall technique is commonly utilised in military projects since the requirements are clear because they thoroughly assess everything before moving on to the development phase.
This can also be used in migration initiatives where the requirements are the same but the platform or languages are different.
Application of the Waterfall Model
Every piece of software created is unique and necessitates a unique SDLC approach based on internal and external factors. The adoption of the Waterfall model is most appropriate in the following situations:
- Requirements are well-documented, well-defined, and well-defined.
- The definition of the product is consistent.
- Technology is well-understood and unchanging.
- There are no prerequisites that are unclear.
- The product is supported by a large number of resources with the necessary experience.
- The project isn’t long.
When should the SDLC Waterfall Model be used?
The Waterfall Methodology can be applied in the following situations:
- Requirements don’t change all that often.
- The application is not difficult to use and is quite large.
- The project is brief.
- The requirement is unmistakable.
- The environment is in good shape.
- The technology and tools employed are not dynamic, but rather stable.
- There are resources and people who have been trained.
Advantages of the Waterfall Model
Waterfall development has the advantage of allowing for departmentalization and control. A schedule can be created with deadlines for each step of development, and a product can be guided through the various phases of the development process one by one.
From concept to design, execution, testing, installation, and troubleshooting, development leads to operation and maintenance. Each stage of development must be completed in a specific order.
The following are some of the primary benefits of the Waterfall Model:
- Simple and straightforward to comprehend and use
- Because of the model’s rigidity, it’s simple to manage. There are specified deliverables and a review mechanism for each phase.
- One phase at a time is processed and completed.
- For smaller projects with well-defined needs, this method works effectively.
- Stages that are well defined.
- Milestones that are well understood.
- Tasks are simple to organise.
- Both the process and the outcomes are thoroughly recorded.
Disadvantages of the Waterfall Model
Waterfall development has the problem of not allowing for much reflection or correction. It’s quite tough to go back and fix something that wasn’t well-documented or considered in the design stage once an application has reached the testing stage.
The following are the key drawbacks of the Waterfall Model:
- Until the end of the life cycle, no working software is developed.
- There is a lot of danger and uncertainty.
- For sophisticated and object-oriented projects, this is not a good model.
- For long-term projects, this paradigm is inadequate.
- Not appropriate for projects with a moderate to high risk of change in requirements. As a result, this process model has a high level of risk and uncertainty.
- Within stages, it’s tough to assess development.
- Changes in requirements cannot be accommodated.
- Changing the scope of a project during its life cycle might lead to its termination.
- Integration is done as a “big-bang” towards the end, which prevents any technological or business bottlenecks or issues from being identified early.
What’s the difference between the Waterfall and Agile project management approaches?
While the Waterfall model requires detailed preparation ahead of time and requires each phase to be finished before moving on to the next, Agile is a more flexible, iterative method that addresses planning, design, implementation, and testing activities in shorter, repeatable cycles.
Once the customer’s needs have been obtained, the customer normally does not have a hands-on role with Waterfall. The customer has more control over the development process with Agile. Instead of Waterfall milestones, Agile uses “sprints,” which are brief periods of time in which prioritised tasks are done, such as two weeks.
When in the Waterfall process can design changes be made?
During the early stages of development, such as when the project manager is still fleshing out the specification documents with the development team and clients, changes are simple to accommodate. Design modifications can be difficult and expensive to implement later in the Waterfall process, once development has begun.
What other advantages does Waterfall’s well-organized structure provide?
While the Waterfall methodology may appear to be unduly restrictive for some projects, it can be a fantastic strategy to keep a well-defined, predictable project from going over budget and on schedule. Clear and detailed structure can also help with complex initiatives with a large number of individuals working toward a well-defined goal.
Conclusion
The waterfall paradigm emphasises the need of signing off on each phase’s deliverables. Although most projects now use Agile and Prototype approaches, the Waterfall technique is still useful for smaller projects. The Waterfall model will produce the greatest outcomes if the requirements are simple and testable.
Overall, we can say that the waterfall model is best suited for small software development projects as opposed to large projects because design, development, and implementation are easier in small projects when using the waterfall model because all previous phases must be completed before moving on to the next phase. As a result, because the large project has a large model, issues and errors occur frequently. As a result, if the waterfall model is used, the testing phase will be repeated every time, resulting in less software optimization and accuracy.
