01/11/2023, 07:21 Difference between Waterfall and Spiral Models - javatpoint

Difference between Waterfall and Spiral Models

Waterfall and Spiral models are two of the most famous and widely utilized project
management models in software development. These are the process models that are
utilized to create software in a well-defined, systematic, and cost-effective manner. The
waterfall model is also called the classical or linear model, as it has sequential stages. In
contrast, the spiral model does not have sequential stages but takes an evolutionary path.
The risk in the waterfall model is higher than in the spiral model, as the errors or risks are
found and fixed after each step is completed.

In this article, you will learn about the difference between Waterfall and Spiral Models. But
before discussing the differences, you must know about Waterfall and Spiral Models with
their advantages and disadvantages.

What is Waterfall Model?

The waterfall model is a software development process model that follows a linear
sequential flow. It is a traditional paradigm for the software life cycle. As the name implies,
the flow of the model is sequential, which is comparable to a waterfall in a top-down
approach, which is why it is also known as the linear sequential model. It has several stages:
requirement analysis, design, coding, testing, integration, implementation, and
maintenance.

Although, if any phase of the model has been completed, we cannot change it, which implies
that whatever is done in the earlier phase could be altered. The process flow cannot pass
from bottom to top, and it always flows from top to bottom, which makes it critical to be
fully preplanned to minimize the chances of product failure.

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Phases of Waterfall Model

There are several phases in the waterfall model. These phases are as follows:

1. Feasibility Study

It is the first phase of SDLC. In this phase, the cost and benefits are assessed of the proposed
application. The feasibility analysis must generate a document that includes the following
information: issue description, technical and economic viability, alternate solutions, required
resources, cost, and delivery dates.

2. Requirements gathering and analysis

It includes gathering needs from stakeholders and analyzing them to understand the
project's scope and goals. It decides the project's quality in terms of ease of use,
performance, functionality, portability, etc. The Software Requirement Specification (SRS)
document includes a thorough statement of the issue, a likely substitute answer to the
problem, a functional requirement of the software system, and limitations on the software
system.

3. Design

It is a multi-step process that focuses on four aspects of a program, including interface

representations, software architecture, data structure, and algorithmic details. The design
phase transforms the prerequisite specification into a software representation that may be
evaluated prior to the coding phase.

4. Implementation

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It contains coding the software in accordance with the design necessitates. In this phase, unit
testing is also utilized to check that every component of the software is functioning properly.

5. Integration and System Testing

It combines the software modules in a systematic and planned way. The integration of the
components cannot be completed in a single step but rather requires several iterations.
Furthermore, system testing is performed to ensure that the software system functions as
stated in the SRS document. There are three phases of system testing: alpha, beta, and
acceptance.

6. Deployment and Maintenance

Once the software has been tested and authorized, it is deployed to the production
environment. After the software is delivered, it is analyzed for a period of time to find and
resolve the errors that do not appear in the starting phases of software, which is known as
maintenance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Waterfall Model

There are various advantages and disadvantages of the Waterfall Model. Some advantages
and disadvantages of the Waterfall Model are as follows:

Advantages

1. The Waterfall model is simple to understand and use, and it is a better choice for
software development projects.

2. It functions well for smaller tasks and projects with well-defined requirements.

3. It is a dependable and predictable technique for developing software.

4. It offers a clear picture of the end product's appearance and functionality.

5. It is a sequential, linear strategy that makes it simpler to estimate the time and
resources needed for every project phase.

Disadvantages

1. It does not enable end-user feedback.

2. A new phase starts only after the prior phase has been finished. However, it cannot be
kept in real-world projects. Phases may overlap to enhance efficiency and decrease
costs.

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3. It is unsuitable for complicated projects because its linear and sequential nature
complicates handling numerous dependencies and interrelated components.

4. Testing is usually done toward the end of the development process in the Waterfall
Model. It means that defects cannot be found until late in the development process,
which may be costly and time-consuming to resolve.

5. It is a structured and sequential approach, stakeholders are usually engaged in the

initial project phases (such as requirements gathering and analysis) but cannot be
present in the later phases (such as implementation, testing, and deployment).

What is Spiral Model?

The spiral model is an evolutionary method of SDLC, and it is a combination of the waterfall
model and the prototype model. It provides support for Risk Handling. It was first released
by Barry Boehm in 1986. It can apply the iterativeness of the prototype model and controlled
methodical of the linear sequential model to develop incremental versions of the software.
Software releases that are made incrementally are the result of the spiral model.

It is a realistic method to develop large projects that have continuous enhancements, and it
is quite an expensive model than others. The spiral model's main concept is that you must
plan the aims and objectives of the project and then create the software following a spiral-
like direction. The best part about this model is that you may begin a project using it and
then continue working on the same model later on during the project.

Phases of Spiral Model

There are mainly four types of phases in the Spiral Model. These phases are as follows:

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1. Planning

It involves determining the iteration's cost, schedule, and resources. It also entails
comprehending the system's needs to maintain continuous interaction between the system
analyst and the client.

2. Risk Analysis

In this phase, all potential solutions are assessed to pick the best solution. After that, the
risks associated with that solution are identified, and the risks are fixed utilizing the best
strategy available. At the end of this phase, the prototype is created for the ideal possible
solution.

3. Engineering

It is the important phase of the spiral model that contains coding, testing, and deploying
software on the client side.

4. Evaluation

Risk analysis contains estimating, identifying, and monitoring technical feasibility, such as
timetable slippage and cost overrun. At the conclusion of the first iteration, after testing the
build, the user evaluates the software and gives feedback. The development process moves
on to the next iteration according to the customer's requirement and then utilizes a linear
method to implement the user feedback. The spiral iteration method continues for the
duration of the software's life.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Spiral Model

There are various advantages and disadvantages of the Spiral Model. Some advantages and
disadvantages of the Spiral Model are as follows:

Advantages

1. It includes risk analysis and management at every stage, increasing security and the
likelihood of avoiding assaults and breakages. The iterative development method also
makes easy risk management.

2. It is suggested for large and complicated projects.

3. The Spiral Model offers an incremental and iterative approach to software

development. It allows flexibility and adaptability in response to shifting requirements
or unexpected events.

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4. It offers regular evaluations and reviews, which may enhance the communication
between the user and the development team.

5. It enables numerous iterations of the software development process, which may lead
to increased software quality and reliability.

Disadvantages

1. It is costly model than others, so it is unsuitable for small projects.

2. It can be complex because it contains numerous iterations of the software

development process.

3. It may be resource-intensive because it necessitates extensive preparation, risk

analysis, and evaluations.

4. It may be time-consuming because it necessitates numerous assessments and reviews.

5. It is significantly more complex than other SDLC models.

Key Differences between Waterfall and Spiral Model

Here, you will learn about the key differences between Waterfall and Spiral Models. Some
of the main differences between the Waterfall and Spiral Models are as follows:

1. The waterfall model is linear in nature, following a step-by-step process. In contrast,

the spiral model is iterative and evolutionary, repeating the same four phases with
different degrees of complexity with every iteration.

2. The waterfall model is suitable for small projects with clear objectives. In contrast, the
spiral model is suitable for larger, more complicated projects.

3. The waterfall model doesn't involve any client participation. In contrast, the spiral
model seeks client feedback throughout the process and provides aid to ensure that

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the software fulfills the client's requirements.

4. The waterfall model requires developers to collect and determine project

requirements only once at the start of the process and then make their project tasks
on these decisions. In contrast, the spiral model requires developers to collect
requirements at the outset of each iteration.

5. As the waterfall model necessitates completing one phase before beginning the next,
there is no way to return and revise work in a phase once it's complete. On the other
hand, the spiral model provides for a revalidation process whenever the developers
want to address an issue from an earlier iteration.

6. The waterfall model makes the single final product at the process end. On the other
hand, the spiral model creates a rough functional product after every phase.

7. The waterfall model is less expensive than the spiral model. In contrast, the spiral
model is more expensive than the waterfall model.

Head-to-head comparison between Waterfall and Spiral

Models
Here, you will learn the head-to-head comparisons between Waterfall and Spiral Models. The
main differences between Waterfall and Spiral Models are as follows:

Features Waterfall Model Spiral Model

Definition It is a software development It is an evolutionary method of SDLC,

process model that follows a and it is a combination of the
linear sequential flow. prototype model and the waterfall
model.

Ease to learn It is simple and easy. It is more complex.

Working It works in a sequential It works in an evolutionary method.

method.

Utilization by It is mainly utilized by users. It is mainly utilized by developers.

Risk After the phases are finished, Before the phases are finished, errors
Management errors and risks are located and risks are found and fixed.
and fixed.

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Suitable for It is suitable for small projects It is suitable for larger, more
with clear goals. complicated projects.

Risk There is a high risk than in There is a low risk than in other
other models. models.

Cost It is less costly than the spiral It is very expensive than the waterfall
model. model.

Maintenance It needs less maintenance. It needs high maintenance.

Testing Testing is performed after the Testing is performed after the

coding phase in the SDLC. engineering phase in the SDLC.

Framework It is based on the linear It relies on the iterative and linear

framework. framework.

Customer Customer involvement is less Customer involvement is high in this

Involvement in this model. model.

Customer Customer control over the Customer control over the

Control administration is limited. administration is high than in the
waterfall model.

Flexibility It is not flexible. It is flexible.

Conclusion
Waterfall and spiral models are the two main software process models in SDLC. The spiral
model differs from the waterfall model in that it includes a definite identification of the risk,
which minimizes the chances of project failure. In contrast, the waterfall is risky because it
has no iterations, and everything must be performed at once for a software product, which
means requirements must be collected, planned, designed, coded, and integrated all at once.
The waterfall model is mainly utilized for smaller projects with clear requirements. In
contrast, the spiral model is mainly utilized for large and complicated projects.

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