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Waterfall Model — Best Use Case

publish date: 2026/06/02 10:22:11.981168 UTC

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The diagram below shows the waterfall model's cascading stages.

In what situation should the waterfall model be used?

When the requirements are well understood and unlikely to change radically during system development

When requirements are expected to change frequently during development

When the system must be delivered in multiple increments to customers

When the development team is using an agile methodology

Correct Answer

When the requirements are well understood and unlikely to change radically during system development

Explanation

The waterfall model should only be used when the requirements are well understood and unlikely to change radically during system development. Its major problem is the inflexible partitioning into distinct phases, making it difficult to respond to changing requirements.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 9th edition

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