What is Waterfall?
Waterfall Model
A Waterfall is a linear project management methodology used in software development. It involves completing each phase of a project in sequence before moving on to the next one.
Overview
The Waterfall model is a structured approach to software development where progress flows in one direction, like a waterfall. This method divides the project into distinct phases, including requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Each phase must be completed before the next one begins, making it easy to understand and manage the project timeline. In practice, this means that teams will first gather all the requirements from stakeholders, ensuring they understand what is needed before moving on to the design phase. Once the design is approved, developers will write the code according to the specifications. After coding, the software is tested thoroughly to identify and fix any issues before it is delivered to the users. The importance of the Waterfall model lies in its simplicity and clear structure, which is particularly beneficial for projects with well-defined requirements. For example, building a new banking application might follow the Waterfall model, as the requirements are often clear and unlikely to change during development. This method allows teams to plan their work effectively and track progress through each phase.