1. 🏗️ WATERFALL MODEL
Definition:
The Waterfall model is a linear sequential design process where progress flows steadily downward through distinct phases: Requirements Analysis, System Design, Implementation, Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance. Each phase must be completed before the next phase begins.
Process Flow Diagram:
1. Requirements Analysis
↓
2. System Design
↓
3. Implementation
↓
4. Testing
↓
5. Deployment
↓
6. Maintenance
Key Characteristics:
- Sequential Phases: No overlap between phases
- Documentation Heavy: Extensive documentation at each stage
- Linear Progression: Cannot return to previous phases
- Late Testing: Testing occurs only after implementation
- Fixed Requirements: Changes are difficult and expensive
Real-World Applications:
Domain |
Example Projects |
Why Waterfall? |
Defense Systems |
Missile guidance systems, Military communication software |
Strict security requirements, Fixed specifications |
Banking |
Core banking systems, ATM software |
Regulatory compliance, High reliability needs |
Healthcare |
Medical device software, Hospital management systems |
FDA approvals, Patient safety critical |
Aerospace |
Flight control systems, Navigation software |
Safety critical, Extensive testing required |
Government |
Tax processing systems, Voter registration |
Stable requirements, Audit trails needed |
✅ Advantages:
- Simple and easy to understand
- Well-defined project milestones
- Good for projects with stable requirements
- Extensive documentation helps maintenance
- Quality gates at each phase
- Easy to manage and track progress
❌ Disadvantages:
- No flexibility for requirement changes
- Late discovery of defects
- Customer sees product only at the end
- High risk for complex projects
- Cannot accommodate changing technology
- Long development cycles
2. 🔄 INCREMENTAL MODEL
Definition:
The Incremental model combines the linear sequential model with iterative philosophy. The software is developed in incremental builds, where each increment adds new functionality to the previous version, allowing early delivery of working software.
Process Flow Diagram:
Increment 1: Core Features
↓
Increment 2: Enhanced Features
↓
Increment 3: Advanced Features
↓
Continue until complete...
↓
Final Integrated System
Key Characteristics:
- Multiple Increments: Software delivered in multiple working versions
- Early Delivery: Core functionality available early
- Parallel Development: Multiple increments can be developed simultaneously
- Incremental Integration: Each increment builds upon previous ones
- User Feedback: Early user input guides subsequent increments
Real-World Applications:
Domain |
Example Projects |
Increment Strategy |
ERP Systems |
SAP, Oracle ERP |
Module-wise: HR → Finance → Inventory → Sales |
E-commerce |
Amazon, Flipkart |
Catalog → Cart → Payment → Shipping → Reviews |
CRM Systems |
Salesforce, HubSpot |
Contacts → Leads → Opportunities → Reports |
LMS Platforms |
Moodle, Canvas |
User Management → Content → Assessment → Analytics |
Payroll Systems |
Workday, ADP |
Employee Data → Salary → Tax → Reports |
✅ Advantages:
- Early delivery of working software
- Easier testing and debugging
- Lower initial delivery cost
- Reduced risk of project failure
- Customer feedback incorporation
- Parallel development possible
❌ Disadvantages:
- Requires careful planning and design
- May need more resources
- Integration complexity increases
- Total cost may be higher
- Architecture must support increments
- May lead to rushed increments
3. 🌱 EVOLUTIONARY MODEL
Definition:
The Evolutionary model allows software to evolve over multiple cycles of development. Each cycle involves rapid development of a prototype, user evaluation, and refinement based on feedback. The system grows and evolves through successive iterations.
Process Flow Diagram:
Initial Requirements
↓
Quick Design
→
Prototype
→
User Evaluation
Feedback Analysis
(Cycle continues until satisfactory solution)
Key Characteristics:
- Iterative Refinement: Continuous improvement through cycles
- User-Centric: Heavy emphasis on user feedback
- Rapid Prototyping: Quick development of working models
- Flexible Requirements: Requirements evolve with understanding
- Risk Reduction: Early identification of problems
Real-World Applications:
Domain |
Example Projects |
Evolution Strategy |
AI/ML Systems |
Recommendation engines, Chatbots |
Model training → Testing → Refinement |
Gaming |
Video games, Mobile games |
Core mechanics → Features → Polish |
Social Media |
Facebook, Twitter features |
MVP → User feedback → Feature evolution |
Research Tools |
Scientific simulations, Data analysis tools |
Initial model → Experiments → Improvements |
Startups |
MVP development, Product validation |
Concept → MVP → Market feedback → Pivot |
✅ Advantages:
- Flexible and adaptive to changes
- Continuous user involvement
- Reduced development time
- Better risk management
- Suitable for research projects
- Innovation-friendly approach
❌ Disadvantages:
- Difficult to measure progress
- May lead to scope creep
- Requires experienced developers
- Documentation may be insufficient
- Cost estimation is difficult
- May become endless cycles
4. 🚀 AGILE MODEL
Definition:
The Agile model emphasizes iterative development, customer collaboration, and the ability to respond quickly to changing requirements. It focuses on delivering working software frequently through short development cycles called sprints (typically 1-4 weeks).
Agile Process Flow:
Product Backlog
↓
Sprint Planning
↓
Sprint (1-4 weeks)
→
Working Software
↓
Sprint Review
Retrospective
(Cycle repeats for project duration)
Agile Principles:
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
- Responding to change over following a plan
Real-World Applications:
Domain |
Example Projects |
Agile Framework Used |
Web Development |
Netflix, Spotify, Airbnb |
Scrum, Kanban |
Mobile Apps |
WhatsApp, Instagram, Uber |
Scrum, Lean |
SaaS Products |
Slack, Zoom, Dropbox |
Scrum, SAFe |
Fintech |
PayPal, Stripe, Robinhood |
Scrum, XP |
E-commerce |
Shopify, WooCommerce |
Scrum, DevOps |
✅ Advantages:
- Quick delivery of working software
- High customer satisfaction
- Adaptive to changing requirements
- Improved team collaboration
- Continuous improvement
- Reduced project risk
❌ Disadvantages:
- Less emphasis on documentation
- Requires experienced team members
- Needs active customer involvement
- May lead to scope creep
- Difficult for fixed-price contracts
- Can be overwhelming for large projects