How to work with the Waterfall Model

By CfL, may 2022

Introduction

Within project management, the waterfall model is a well-known phenomenon. Also known as the software development life cycle model, its purpose is to structure design and development processes.

The seven phases of the Waterfall Model

1. Requirements

The first phase of the model deals with the requirements for what is to be designed and developed. In this phase a requirements document is written, containing all the information about what needs to be done. This includes everything from the product's functionality to its appearance.

2. Analysis

The second phase of the waterfall model consists of two parts: “Requirements Gathering and Analysis” and “Requirements Specification.” In the gathering and analysis stage, all information and requirements for product development are collected from the customer and then processed for analysis.

In the requirements specification part, the analyzed requirements are documented. This acts as a link between the customer and the development team.

3. Design

The third phase of the model is the design phase. Here, you take the verified and finalized requirements from the previous phase and use them to create a design for your product. This design will help specify software and hardware requirements and develop an overall architecture for your system.

In this phase, it is also useful to convert the SRS document (What Is It?) into a functional design. This means you develop a plan for how the software will be created. This phase is critical because it forms the basis for the actual development of the product.

Once the design phase is complete, you have a clear picture of what needs to be done to build your product.

4. Coding

When the design phase is complete, the process moves on to coding. This is where the individual software components are assembled and combined into a working system. The code is subsequently tested to ensure that it meets all the requirements defined in the design phase. After successful testing, the system is ready for deployment.

Coding can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it is crucial for creating a functioning system. In the coding phase, programmers take the detailed design specifications and translate them into actual code.

5. Testing

The fifth phase of the waterfall model consists of thorough integration and testing. In this phase, the software is checked for any errors in design or code. Testing is performed to ensure that the system is stable and error-free before it goes into production.
After coding, the entire system undergoes a series of tests to check for errors. Once all errors have been resolved, the software is ready for use. This testing phase is crucial in the waterfall model because it ensures that the software is faultless before production, thereby avoiding disruptions or errors during use. Testing also helps improve the software’s quality and ensures that the final product is of high quality and meets the customer’s needs.

6. Installation

Once the product has been tested and any errors have been corrected, it is ready for the sixth phase of the waterfall model: installation. The installation phase can be divided into four main tasks: installation, migration, support, and documentation.

Installation is the phase where the software is actually installed on the target computers. Migration involves transferring all data from the old system to the new one. Support includes answering users' questions and providing documentation. Documentation contains instructions on how to use the software as well as background information on the development process.

7. Maintenance

When the product has been installed and is in operation, it is time to move on to the next phase of the waterfall model: maintenance.

Maintenance involves ensuring that the software continues to function as intended and that any errors that are discovered are corrected. Support is typically also available during this phase to help users with any questions or problems they may have.

The maintenance phase can last for a long time, sometimes even longer than the original development phase. This is because new features or changes may need to be made to the software as time goes by. Moreover, errors that inevitably arise must be fixed. Maintenance is an important part of the software development process and should not be overlooked.

When should you use the Waterfall Model in practice?

The waterfall model is often used for projects with well-defined deliverables and a clear understanding of the requirements. It can be useful in situations where uncertainty is low and risks are known.

One of the greatest advantages of the waterfall model is its predictability, as it is easy to follow the development progress and identify potential issues.

However, the model can be inflexible and does not allow for changes once the project has started. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider whether the waterfall model is the best approach for your project before you begin. Other possible methods for project management could be PRINCE2® or Scrum.

What are the benefits of using the Waterfall Model?

There are many advantages to using the waterfall model in project management and structuring. One of the greatest benefits is that it allows for division and control. You can establish a timeline with deadlines for each development stage, and a product can pass through the stages of the model one by one. This predictability and linearity make it much easier to manage both the project and the team working on it.

In general, the waterfall model provides great structure and clarity for both project managers and team members, making it an excellent choice for many projects.