Waterfall Model

What is Waterfall Model?

In the SaaS industry, the Waterfall Model is often used by companies that prioritize detailed planning and documentation before moving on to the next phase of development. This rigid structure can be beneficial for projects with well-defined requirements and fixed deadlines. However, it may lack flexibility and adaptability to changes that are common in the fast-paced SaaS market. Despite its limitations, some SaaS companies still utilize the Waterfall Model for specific projects where a clear roadmap is crucial for success.

The Waterfall Model is a traditional sequential software development approach where progress flows in one direction, like a waterfall, through distinct phases such as requirement analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance.

Examples

A popular SaaS company used the Waterfall Model to develop a new customer relationship management (CRM) software. They spent several months gathering requirements and creating detailed design specifications before starting the development phase.

The Waterfall Model was employed by a SaaS startup to build a project management tool. Each stage, from design to testing, was completed before moving on to the next, ensuring thorough documentation and minimal rework.

Additional Information

The Waterfall Model is characterized by its linear progression through phases, with each stage building upon the previous one.

This approach is best suited for projects with clearly defined requirements and limited changes expected during development.