What are the main challenges of the waterfall model in software development?

What are the main challenges of the waterfall model in software development?

The waterfall model faces several challenges, including inflexibility to changes, late testing phases, and difficulty in accommodating user feedback.

Can you explain why inflexibility is a problem?

Inflexibility means that once a phase is completed, going back to make changes is costly and time-consuming, which can lead to project delays.

What about late testing phases?

Late testing can result in discovering critical issues only at the end of the development cycle, making it harder to fix them without significant rework.

How does user feedback play a role in this model?

User feedback is often not incorporated until the end, which can lead to a final product that doesn't meet user needs or expectations.

Are there better models to consider?

Yes, agile methodologies, for example, allow for iterative development and continuous feedback, addressing many waterfall model challenges.