Difference between Waterfall model and Incremental model

Last Updated : 03 Jun, 2024

The Waterfall Model follows a strict, linear sequence of phases and is best for small projects with well-defined requirements. It produces the final product only after all phases are completed. The Incremental Model develops the software in smaller, iterative cycles, delivering a working version early and adding features incrementally. This approach offers more flexibility and lower risk.

Waterfall Model vs Incremental Model

What is Waterfall Model?

Waterfall Model is also known as Classical/Traditional Model. Sometimes It is referred as linear-sequential life cycle model because all phases involve in this model completed one by one in linear fashion. In this model, we get software after completion of all coding phase. This model is basically used for small projects. There exist only one cycle in waterfall model.

What is Incremental Model?

In Incremental Model Multiple development cycles take place and these cycles are divided into more smaller modules. Generally a working software in incremental model is produced during first module Each subsequent release of the module adds function to the previous release. In incremental model, process continues till the complete system is achieved.

Differences between Waterfall Model and Incremental Model

S. No.	Waterfall Model	Incremental Model
Documentation	Need for Detailed Documentation in the waterfall model is Necessary.	The need for Detailed Documentation in the incremental model is Necessary but not too much.
Planning	In the waterfall model, early stage planning is necessary.	In an incremental model, early-stage planning is also necessary.
Risk	There is a high amount of risk in the waterfall model.	There is a low amount of risk in the incremental model.
Waiting Time for Running Software	There is a long waiting time for running software in the waterfall model.	There is a short waiting time for running software in the incremental model.
Handling Large Projects	The waterfall model can’t handle large projects.	The incremental model also can’t handle large projects.
Flexibility to Change	Flexibility to change in the waterfall model is Difficult.	Flexibility to change in incremental model is Easy.
Cost	The cost of the Waterfall model is Low.	The cost of the incremental model is also Low.
Testing	Testing is done in the waterfall model after the completion of the coding phase.	Testing is done in the incremental model after every iteration of the phase.
Returning to Previous Phases	Returning to the previous stage/phase in the waterfall model is not possible.	Returning to the previous stage/phase in the incremental model is possible.
Team Size	In the waterfall model, a large team is required.	In an incremental model large team is not required.
Phases Overlapping	In the waterfall model overlapping of phases is not possible.	In incremental model overlapping of phases is possible.
Development Cycles	There is only one cycle in the waterfall model.	Multiple development cycles take place in the incremental model.
Customer Involvement	The customer is involved only at the beginning of development.	In incremental model, customer involvement is intermediate.
Framework Type	The linear framework type is used.	Linear with iterative framework type is used.
Customer Control	The customer is having least control over the administrator.	The customer has more control over the administrator in comparison to the waterfall model.
Reusability	Reusability is the least possible.	Reusability is possible to some extent.