Aspect Waterfall Model V-Shaped Model Incremental Model RAD (Rapid Prototyping Model Spiral Model Unified Process

Application Model
Development)

Definition Sequential model, Extension of Divides the system Focuses on rapid Creates a prototype Risk-driven model Iterative and
each phase must be Waterfall with into smaller parts, development with first, then refines it with iterative incremental
completed before the testing after each developed and reusable based on user cycles. model with
next begins. phase. integrated components and feedback. well-defined
incrementally. user feedback. phases.

Phases Requirements → Similar to Planning → Analysis Requirements Identify Determine Inception →

Design → Waterfall but → Design → Planning → User Requirements → Objectives → Elaboration →
Implementation → with verification Implementation → Design → Develop Prototype Identify & Reduce Construction →
Testing → & validation after Testing (Repeated for Construction → → User Evaluation Risks → Develop Transition.
Deployment → each phase. each increment). Cutover. → Refine → & Test → Review
Maintenance Develop Final & Iterate.
Product.

Flexibility Rigid and inflexible. More structured More flexible as Highly flexible, Allows changes in Highly flexible, Balanced
than Waterfall development happens encourages early stages but less allows changes at flexibility with
but still rigid. in increments. changes. structured. any phase. structured
iterations.
Risk High risk, as errors Moderate, errors Lower risk since Low, as working Moderate, as Very low, as risk Managed
Management are detected late. found earlier than issues are found in models are feedback helps early assessment is a key through iterative
in Waterfall. increments. frequently adjustments. focus. analysis and risk
reviewed. handling.
User Minimal; users see Limited; users Continuous; users can High; users are Very high; users High; users review Medium to
Involvement the product at the involved mainly see and give feedback involved evaluate prototypes each iteration. High; users
end. in requirement on increments. throughout frequently. participate in
phase. development. iterations.
Testing Done at the end after Testing follows Testing is done after Continuous testing Testing after each Testing occurs in Testing is
Approach development. each each increment. and feedback. prototype cycle. every spiral integrated
development iteration. within each
phase phase.
(Verification &
Validation).
 Time-to- Long, as the final Long, similar to Faster, as usable Very fast, focuses Medium, depends on Varies, but usually Faster than
Market product is delivered Waterfall. increments are on rapid the number of faster than Waterfall due to
at the end. delivered early. prototyping and prototype iterations. Waterfall due to iterative
quick releases. iterative approach. delivery.

Cost Expensive if changes Slightly better Cost-effective as early Can be expensive Can be high due to Can be high due to Moderate cost,
Efficiency are needed late. than Waterfall increments help in due to the need for multiple prototype continuous risk efficient for
but still costly for managing changes. skilled developers. revisions. assessments. complex
late changes. systems.

Best Suited Small projects with Projects requiring Medium to large Applications Projects where user High-risk projects Large, complex
For well-defined high-quality projects with evolving needing rapid requirements are where requirements projects
requirements. validation and requirements. development and unclear. may change requiring
verification. frequent updates. frequently. adaptability.
Examples Banking software, Safety-critical Business applications, UI-heavy Game development, Aerospace, Enterprise
payroll systems. software, medical software updates. applications, CRM e-commerce Défense, large- applications,
applications. systems. platforms. scale financial large-scale
systems. software
solutions.