Difference between Waterfall model and Prototype model

Comparison of the waterfall model with the prototype model. Many people today think that both of these strategies are obsolete and should be sent to history’s trash. This is untrue, though, because there are still instances in which one strategy is more practical and appropriate than another.

Having a clear understanding of the variations between the Waterfall and Prototype Models can aid you in selecting the method that is best for each unique situation. Let’s first briefly go over what these models are and what their primary differences are:

The Waterfall Model and the Prototype Model are the two fundamental methods used in software development.

These two models have one thing in common: They both include different stages of development. The design and implementation portions of these phases are separated.

WaterFall Model

Waterfall Model is also known as Classical or Traditional Model. It is also 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. 

Prototype Model

Prototype Model is a software development life cycle model which is used when the customer is not known completely about how the end product should be and its requirements. So in this model, a prototype of the end product is first developed by the developers and then tested and changes were made as per customer feedback until the customer is satisfied with the prototype.

Difference between Waterfall model and Prototype model

The difference between Waterfall model and Prototype model are as follows:

WATERFALL MODEL	PROTOTYPE MODAL
Design is done based on the requirements gathered at the beginning	Design is refined based on feedback received during prototyping
Testing is done after the development is complete	Testing is done throughout the development process, with each iteration involving testing of the prototype
Feedback is limited and difficult to incorporate once a phase is completed	Feedback is actively sought and incorporated through each round of prototyping
Higher risk of project failure due to limited opportunities for iteration and changes	Lower risk of project failure due to unlimited opportunities for iteration and changes
Projects can take longer and be more costly due to limited opportunities for iteration and changes	Projects can be completed more quickly and at a lower cost due to the iterative and incremental approach, which allows for early identification and resolution of issues
Requirements are gathered at the beginning and changes are difficult to accommodate later on	Requirements are refined through feedback and iteration, making it easier to accommodate changes
Waterfall model is a software development model and works in sequential method.	Prototype model is a software development model where a prototype is built, tested and then refined as per customer needs.
It give emphasis on risk analysis.	It does not give emphasis on risk analysis.
There is high amount risk in waterfall model.	It is suitable for high-risk projects.
In this, quick initial reviews are possible.	In this, quick initial reviews are not possible.
It is best suited when the customer requirements are clear.	It is best suited when the requirement of the client is not clear and supposed to be changed.
In this user Involvement is only at the beginning.	In this user involvement is high.
It supports automatic code generation as. results in minimal code writing.	It does not support automatic code generation.
The complexity of an error increases as the nature of the model each phase is sequential of the other.	The complexity of an error is low as the prototype enables the developer to detect any deficiency early at the process.
Flexibility to change in waterfall model is Difficult.	Flexibility to change in prototype model is Easy.

Conclusion

This post provides the information needed by a novice who wishes to select one of the two development approaches, and it is my hope that it will assist you in better understanding both models and assisting you in making the best decision.

Please leave comments below if you have any questions or recommendations, and I’ll do my best to respond. Gratitude for reading. I have always been motivated to post additional articles by your insightful remarks. Please spread the word if you find it useful.

FAQs On Difference between Waterfall model and Prototype model

Q1.How does the Waterfall model handle changes in requirements?

Answer:

The Waterfall model is not well-suited for handling changes in requirements once a phase has been completed. Changes in requirements may necessitate going back to previous phases, which can lead to delays and increased costs.

Q2. Are there variations of the Waterfall model?

Answer:

Yes, variations such as the V-Model and the W-Model extend the Waterfall concept by incorporating more rigorous testing and validation stages. These variations aim to address some of the shortcomings of the traditional Waterfall approach.

Q3. Is the Waterfall model still used today?

Anwers:

While more agile methodologies have gained popularity in recent years, the Waterfall model is still used in certain industries and projects, especially where regulatory compliance and documentation are crucial.