Iterative Waterfall Model in SDLC
What is Iterative Waterfall Model in SDLC?
Iterative Waterfall Model in SDLC is basically a replacement of Classical Waterfall Model.
Phases of Iterative Waterfall Model
The iterative waterfall model is a software development approach that combines elements of both the waterfall model and iterative development. In this model, the software development process is divided into a series of iterations, or cycles, each of which involves the following phases:
Planning:
In this phase, the project team determines the goals and objectives for the current iteration, and develops a plan for achieving them.
Analysis:
In this phase, the project team gathers and analyses requirements for the current iteration.
Design:
In this phase, the project team designs the solution for the current iteration.
Implementation:
In this phase, the project team builds and tests the solution for the current iteration.
Testing:
In this phase, the project team tests the solution to ensure that it meets the requirements and functions as intended.
Deployment:
In this phase, the solution is deployed to the production environment.
Maintenance:
In this phase, the project team provides ongoing support and maintenance for the solution.
Advantages of Iterative Waterfall Model
There are several advantages to using the Iterative Waterfall Model in software development:
It is easy to understand and implement, making it a good choice for small projects or teams that are new to software development.
- The iterative nature of the model allows for changes and adjustments to be made as the project progresses, which can be beneficial in addressing unexpected issues or requirements.
- The clear separation of phases allows for better planning and management of the project, as each phase has specific goals and deliverables.
- The Waterfall Model can be a good choice for projects with well-defined and unchanging requirements, as it allows for a more structured and predictable development process.
- It can be easier to get stakeholder buy-in and approval at each phase of the project, as the deliverables are clearly defined and progress can be easily tracked.
Disadvantages of Iterative Waterfall Model
- Limited Flexibility: Once a phase is completed, going back to make changes is difficult and often costly.
- Late Testing: Testing is typically done at the end of the development cycle, which can lead to late discovery of major issues.
- Poor Adaptability to Changes: Requirements must be defined upfront, making it hard to accommodate changes during the project.
- High Risk for Complex Projects: For large or complex systems, the model may not handle changing needs or risks well.
- Customer Feedback Comes Late: End-users only see the final product, which limits opportunities for early feedback.
- Documentation Heavy Process: Excessive focus on documentation can slow down development and reduce efficiency.
How It Differs from the Pure Waterfall Model
- Feedback Loops: The Iterative model allows going back to previous phases when needed, while the Pure Waterfall follows a strict linear flow with no backtracking.
- Flexibility: Changes in requirements or design can be addressed during development in the Iterative model. In the Pure Waterfall, all requirements must be fixed at the beginning.
- Early Issue Detection: Testing and validation can occur earlier and in multiple cycles in the Iterative model, helping to catch errors sooner.
- Real-World Suitability: The Iterative model is better suited for projects where requirements may evolve, whereas the Pure Waterfall assumes fixed requirements.
- Risk Management: By reviewing and refining at each stage, the Iterative model reduces the risk of major issues late in the project.
- Reusability of Work: In the Iterative model, components or deliverables from earlier iterations can be reused or refined in later ones.
- Customer Involvement: There’s more opportunity for stakeholder feedback during the process in the Iterative model, compared to the limited involvement in Pure Waterfall.
FAQs
The model includes phases like Requirements, Design, Implementation, Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance with feedback loops after each. Each phase is completed before moving to the next, but iteration is allowed.
Unlike the traditional model, the iterative version allows revisiting previous phases for improvements. This helps in early error detection and more refined development.
It’s best used when project requirements are well understood but may evolve slightly during development. It suits projects that need a balance of structure and adaptability.
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