Overview
The Waterfall model is the traditional approach to SDLC. It follows a rigid structure: Requirements -> Analysis -> Design -> Coding -> Testing -> Maintenance.
Characteristics
- Sequential: No overlapping phases.
- Document-Driven: Heavy emphasis on documentation at each stage.
- Fixed Scope: Requirements are defined upfront and are difficult to change later.
When to Use
- Small projects with well-defined requirements.
- Projects where stability is more important than speed.
- Highly regulated industries.