Requirements Gathering and
Analysis: In this stage, the development team
works closely with stakeholders to gather and document detailed requirements
for the software. The requirements are analyzed, clarified, and validated to
understand the project scope clearly.
System Design:
The development team creates a detailed system design once the requirements are
established. This stage involves designing the software architecture, defining
the modules or components, and establishing the overall system structure.
Implementation:
The implementation stage involves writing the code based on detailed design
specifications. Developers follow the design and coding standards to ensure the
code’s quality and maintainability.
Testing:
After the implementation phase, the software is tested to ensure it meets the
specified requirements. Testing includes various types, such as unit testing,
integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing. Each testing
phase verifies the software's functionality and identifies defects or issues.
Deployment:
Once the software has been thoroughly tested and deemed ready for production,
it is deployed to the target environment. This involves setting up servers,
configuring databases, and ensuring the software works correctly in the
production environment.
Maintenance and Support:
The software enters the maintenance and support phase after deployment. This
involves monitoring the software for issues or bugs, addressing user feedback,
and releasing updates or patches. Ongoing support and maintenance ensure the
software remains functional and up to date.
The Waterfall model is known for its
sequential nature, with each stage completed before moving on to the next. Once
a stage is completed, revisiting and making changes without impacting the
subsequent stages is difficult. This model works well for projects with stable
and well-defined requirements but can be less flexible when changes are
required during development.
It’s important to note that more
iterative and agile methodologies have largely replaced the Waterfall model in
recent years, as they offer more flexibility and adaptability to changing
project needs.
