Also known as Linear Sequential Life Cycle Model, is a popular version of the Systems Development Life Cycle Model. Is often considered as the traditional model for software development. In the Waterfall Model, each phase must be completed in order t move to the next step. Usually applied to small projects with o uncertain requirements; there is no overlapping between the phases. At the end of each phase, a review takes place to determine if the project is in the right path.
These are the steps of the Waterfall Method:
- Requirements: requirement are gathered and documented
- Analysis: Analyzed whether the requirements are valid or not
- Design: Determines the architecture of the software
- Implementation: Coding
- Testing: Testing each component for making sure it works as expected
- Deployment: Sending the program to the users
- Maintenance: Fix the problems found in the future
The advantages of using the Waterfall Method are:
- Is easy to comprehend
- Allows for departmentalization and control
- Each stage can have a predetermined due time
Although, it has the disadvantage of being unable to go back if one of the steps has a mistake that was discovered in the next stages.
References:
ISTQB Exam Certification. (2016). What is Waterfall model- advantages, disadvantages and when to use it? August 8th, 2016, from ISTQB Exam Certification Website: http://istqbexamcertification.com/what-is-waterfall-model-advantages-disadvantages-and-when-to-use-it/
Naveen. (2016). What is Waterfall Model in software testing and what are advantages and disadvantages of Waterfall Model. August 8th, 2016, from Testing Freak. Website: http://testingfreak.com/waterfall-model-software-testing-advantages-disadvantages-waterfall-model/
Tech Target. (2016). waterfall model. August 8th, 2016, from Tech Target Website: http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/waterfall-model
Tutorials Point. (2016). SDLC – Waterfall Model. August 8th, 2016, from Tutorials Point Website: http://www.tutorialspoint.com/sdlc/sdlc_waterfall_model.htm
