SDLC – V-Shaped Model

Also known as the V-Model or Verification and Validation model, the V-Shaped model is an extension of the Waterfall SDLC approach. With the V-Model, progress does not move in a straight line but rises upwards after implementation and coding.

Early test planning is typical for V-Model SDLC projects, which is the major difference vis-à-vis the Waterfall model. Every development stage has a parallel testing phase, which helps to verify and validate every step before moving on to the next.

Advantages of V-Shaped SDLC model:

• Easy to use and explain
• Clear deliverables for every phase, meaning greater discipline
• Better results than in the Waterfall model due to early testing
• Clear verification and validation at every stage
• Smooth defect tracking, as bugs are found at the early stages
• Easier progress tracking, at least compared to the Waterfall model

Disadvantages of V-Shaped SDLC model:

• Poor flexibility with no support for iterations
• Hard and costly to make adjustments due to no handling of parallel events
• High business and development risks
• No early prototypes available
• No clear solution for problems detected during testing

The project phases in the V-Model are the same as in Waterfall, but with verification and validation for each phase via testing. So the V-Model is good for similar types of projects as Waterfall.