Following are the to 14 points to Compare incremental vs spiral vs RAD vs waterfall model -: To achieve structured and controllable software development efforts, various development models are being used. All models are acceptable in development process because of systematic way to accomplish in orderly way. To develop product development project in SDLC, each model of SDLC has its own unique features.
All models are used to manage complexity during software development process. The aim of all models are to deliver quality product.
Following are the points focus on how incremental, spiral, RAD and waterfall models are differed from in terms of requirement, planning, duration required, strategies applied, cost, testing, deployment etc.
| S.N | Features | Incremental | Spiral | RAD | Waterfall |
| 1 | Requirement | Beginning | Beginning | Time boxed release | Beginning |
| 2 | Planning | Yes | Yes | Not require | Yes |
| 3 | Documentation | Yes | Yes | Not necessary | Yes |
| 4 | Handle large project | Not necessary | Yes | Not necessary | Not necessary |
| 5 | User involvement | Intermediate | High | At beginning only | At beginning only |
| 6 | Returning to early phase | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 7 | Cost | Low | High | Low | Low |
| 8 | Modifications | Easy | Easy | Easy | Difficult |
| 9 | Duration | Long | Long | Short | Long |
| 10 | Testing | After each iteration | After each iteration | After coding | After coding |
| 11 | Risk | low | Medium to high | low | High |
| 12 | Maintenance | Easy | Hard | Easy | Easy |
| 13 | Reuse | Up to some extent | Up to some extent | Yes | Up to some extent |
| 14 | Framework | Iterative and Linear | Iterative and Linear | Linear | Linear |