Phases of Incremental Model

The Incremental Model is an iterative software development approach where the system is designed, implemented, and tested incrementally (in portions) until the product is complete. In this model, the development process is broken down into small, manageable parts called increments. Each increment represents a portion of the system’s functionality, and these increments are developed and delivered in a sequence until the entire system is built.

The Incremental Model is particularly suitable for projects where the requirements are not well understood initially or where the project’s complexity makes it challenging to deliver the entire system in one go. It allows for flexibility, adaptability, and early delivery of working software.

Life cycle activities:

First, the software’s requirements are divided into some modules that may be built and supplied one at a time. The plan is never made for any kind of long-term plan—rather, it is made just for the upcoming increment. As a result, changing the version to suit the needs of the client is simpler. The development team starts by creating the system’s essential functions, which don’t require assistance from other aspects.

After the fundamental elements are finished, they are improved and upgraded with new features in subsequent iterations to raise capability levels. Typically, an iterative waterfall methodology of development is used to create each incremental version. The customer’s input is now to be collected when each new version of the software is developed and delivered, and it will be incorporated into the following version. The software has more functionality added to each version than the ones before it.

Phases of Incremental Model:

Requirement analysis:

The product analysis expertise determines the requirements in the first stage of the incremental model. Additionally, the requirement analysis team is aware of the functional needs of the system. This stage is vital to the software development process under the incremental paradigm.

Design & Development:

The development process and the design of the system’s functionality are successfully completed in this stage of the incremental SDLC model. The incremental model makes use of the style and development phase when software gains new practicality.

Testing:

In the incremental paradigm, testing verifies that all current functions operate as intended as well as any new features. The behavior of every task is tested throughout the testing process using a variety of techniques.

Implementation:

The development system’s coding phase is made possible by the implementation phase. The designing and developing phase involves the final code, and the testing phase involves testing the functionality. The number of products that are operational after this phase is finished is improved and upgraded up to the final system product.

Advantages of the Incremental Model:

• Early Delivery of Partial Functionality: Stakeholders get to see and use a part of the system early in the development process, providing early value and functionality.
• User Feedback and Involvement: Incremental development allows for continuous user feedback, leading to better alignment with user needs and expectations. Users can actively participate in the development process.
• Easier to Manage and Test: Smaller increments are easier to manage, test, and debug. This can lead to faster identification and resolution of issues.
• Reduced Risk of Project Failure: The risk of project failure is reduced as each increment is a potentially deliverable product, and issues can be identified and addressed early in the development process.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Changes in requirements can be accommodated more easily as the development process is iterative, allowing for adjustments in subsequent increments.
• Parallel Development: Different parts of the system can be developed concurrently, allowing for parallel progress and potentially reducing the overall development time.

Disadvantages of the Incremental Model:

• Management Overhead: Managing multiple increments and coordinating their development can introduce additional management overhead and complexity.
• Dependency on Initial Architecture: The success of the incremental model depends on a well-defined and stable initial architecture. Major changes to the architecture can be challenging once development is underway.
• Difficulty in Assessing Overall Progress: Assessing overall progress may be challenging until the later increments are developed, making it difficult to estimate the project’s completion date accurately.
• Not Suitable for All Projects: The incremental model may not be suitable for small projects with well-defined requirements or projects with a fixed deadline.
• Increased Testing Effort: Each increment requires testing, and as the number of increments increases, the overall testing effort may become significant.
• Possibility of Incomplete System: If increments are not well-defined or if the project is terminated before all increments are completed, the delivered system may be incomplete.
• Limited Cost Savings: While the incremental model can lead to early delivery and value, it may not necessarily result in significant cost savings compared to other models.