The Waterfall model, also known as the Predictive approach, is a linear sequential life cycle model. It is called the Waterfall model because each phase of the project cascades into the next, like a waterfall. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. **Requirements Gathering and Analysis**: All possible requirements of the system to be developed are captured in this phase. These requirements are then analyzed for their validity and the possibility of incorporating them into the system.

2. **System Design**: The system design phase comes next. In this phase, the system and software design documents are prepared as per the requirement specification document. This helps define the overall system architecture.

3. **Implementation**: With inputs from the system design, the system is first developed in small programs called units, which are integrated into the next phase. Each unit is developed and tested for its functionality, which is referred to as Unit Testing.

4. **Integration and Testing**: All the units developed in the implementation phase are integrated into a system after testing each unit. Post integration, the entire system is tested for any faults and failures.

5. **Deployment of System**: Once the functional and non-functional testing is done, the product is deployed in the customer environment or released into the market.

6. **Maintenance**: There are some issues which come up in the client environment. To fix those issues, patches are released. Also, to enhance the product, some better versions are released. Maintenance is done to deliver these changes in the customer environment.

The Waterfall model is one of the simplest models to understand and use. It's very structured; each phase has specific deliverables and a review process. However, it's not suitable for projects where requirements are at a moderate to high risk of changing.

Question

The Waterfall model, also known as the Predictive approach, is a linear sequential life cycle model. It is called the Waterfall model because each phase of the project cascades into the next, like a waterfall. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. **Requirements Gathering and Analysis**: All possible requirements of the system to be developed are captured in this phase. These requirements are then analyzed for their validity and the possibility of incorporating them into the system.

2. **System Design**: The system design phase comes next. In this phase, the system and software design documents are prepared as per the requirement specification document. This helps define the overall system architecture.

3. **Implementation**: With inputs from the system design, the system is first developed in small programs called units, which are integrated into the next phase. Each unit is developed and tested for its functionality, which is referred to as Unit Testing.

4. **Integration and Testing**: All the units developed in the implementation phase are integrated into a system after testing each unit. Post integration, the entire system is tested for any faults and failures.

5. **Deployment of System**: Once the functional and non-functional testing is done, the product is deployed in the customer environment or released into the market.

6. **Maintenance**: There are some issues which come up in the client environment. To fix those issues, patches are released. Also, to enhance the product, some better versions are released. Maintenance is done to deliver these changes in the customer environment.

The Waterfall model is one of the simplest models to understand and use. It's very structured; each phase has specific deliverables and a review process. However, it's not suitable for projects where requirements are at a moderate to high risk of changing.

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