What is the waterfall method of software development? Waterfall model is a software development process. This model was first introduced by W.W Royce in 1970.
The Waterfall model is a sequential model that presents the steps of a SDLC in a linear simplification. This is very simple to understand and use.
In this model, each phase needed to be completed before starting the next phase and you can’t pass the phases. According to this model, information system development is an ongoing process.
Waterfall model was the first SDLC model used in software engineering. This basically consists of seven steps. Those are,
- System Definition
- System Analyzing
- System Design
- System Development
- Testing
- System implementation
- Maintenance

Definition
This phase runs from the time you come up with an idea for a new system or developing proposals for existing systems.
At this stage, a thorough understanding of the system will determine the need to create one. This stage has 3 phases,
- Project goal
- Project boundary
- Project limits
Analyzing
In this stage, we analyze system requirements and collect them. And identifies the key functions required to develop the system.
It also studies and analyzes information related to the business background.
System Design
At this stage, the proposed new system is planning after studying the factors identified in the system analysis. This design is done logically and physically.
System Development
Once the system is designed, the system development (coding) stage begins. This coding is done in a way that is readable to the computer.
So designers use computer languages and the necessary tools to create software.
Testing
In this stage, we will test the software to verify that it is built as the specifications given by the client. After checking the system, the software is delivered to the user.
System implementation
After testing the new computer system and correcting all the errors, the system will be installed at the client’s institution.
Maintenance
Software often undergoes changes after the delivery to the user. At this stage system troubleshooting, system upgrades and user updates are performed.
Advantages of waterfall model
- You can create software that understands the needs of the client well.
- It is a simple linear representation and it is simple to implement.
- Every step of this model is documented, so the product design process is simple to understand.
Disadvantages of waterfall model
- Real world information system projects do not always follow linear steps when implemented.
- The design team is unable to identify all of the client’s needs when starting many projects.
- The time it takes to receive the final product is uncertain and the client will know the output is in the final stage
- The possibility that the project output is unforeseen.
- There is a possibility for the project output is to be unforeseen.
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