Waterfall Method
INFORMATION
The Waterfall model is a
breakdown of project activities into linear sequential phases, where
each phase depends on the deliverables of the previous one and
corresponds to a specialisation of tasks. The approach is typical for certain areas of engineering design.
Overview
The Waterfall Model was the first Process Model to be introduced. It is very simple to understand and use. In a Waterfall model, each phase must be completed before the next phase can begin and there is no overlapping in the phases. The waterfall model is the earliest SDLC approach that was used for software development.
In “The Waterfall” approach, the whole process of software development
is divided into separate phases. The outcome of one phase acts as the
input for the next phase sequentially. This means that any phase in the
development process begins only if the previous phase is complete. The
waterfall model is a sequential design process in which progress is seen
as flowing steadily downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases of Conception, Initiation, Analysis, Design, Construction, Testing, Production/Implementation, and Maintenance.
Waterfall Principles.
The outlining principles behind the Waterfall model are:
Gather requirements and documentation System design Implementation Delivery/deployment Maintenance.
Strengths:
Easy to manage due to the rigidity of the model Phases are processed and completed one at a time, they do not overlap Simple and easy to understand and use Works well for smaller projects where requirements are clearly defined and very well understood.Weaknesses:
High amounts of risk and uncertainty Not a good model for complex and object-oriented projects Not suitable for the projects where requirements are at a moderate to high risk of changing No working software is produced until late during the life cycle Once an application is in the testing stage, it is very difficult to go back and change something that was not well-thought out in the concept stage Poor model for long and ongoing projects.Downloadable reference material being added in due course.
Downloadable reference material being added in due course.
Downloadable reference material being added in due course.