Step-by-Step Guide to the Spiral Model Process

‍The spiral model in software engineering is similar to the incremental model, with more emphasis on risk analysis.

It has four phases: planning, risk analysis, product development, and next phase planning or evaluation.

A software project repeatedly passes through these phases in iterations (called spirals in this model).

The model is one of the most essential system development life cycle models (spiral model sdlc).

Uses of this model in:

» Projects requiring changes quite often;

» Projects with long-term scalability because of the changing economic priorities;

» Projects falling under the medium to high-risk scale;

» projects prioritizing cost and risk analysis;

» projects benefiting from prototyping their products; and

Complex projects with unclear requirements.

We can call it a hybrid of the waterfall and iterative models. It provides support for risk handling.

In this blog, we will tell you about the spiral model phases (the process), its examples, spiral model advantages and disadvantages, and more so that the business scope in India can benefit from it. Let’s get started!

What is the Spiral Model?

Let’s imagine mobile app development using Python, but we are also integrating artificial intelligence into it.

We can use the most popular waterfall model for SDLC. However, the biggest problem is that it takes a long time to complete the product, and the software becomes outdated.

To solve this problem, we have a new approach known as the spiral model in software engineering. It is also known as the cyclic model or meta-model.

In this model, we develop the application in modules step-by-step and hand it over to the customer so that they can begin to use the application at an initial stage.

We prepare this model only when each module is dependent on another module. We develop the app in stages because sometimes the client gives the requirements between the processes.

The spiral model diagram below shows the coil having many loops (or cycles). These cycles vary for each development project determined by the project manager:

Some key points about the spiral model phases:

» The project manager can vary the number of phases required for development based on the marketing trends of the product, depending on the nature of its risks.

» Since the number of phases is decided dynamically by the project manager, the role of the project manager is significant in developing the product using this model.

» It is based on the spiral, with every round of the spiral being a complete SDLC cycle, encompassing the gathering of requirements and analysis through design to implementation, testing, and even maintenance.

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Why is the Meta-model called the Spiral Model?

This model is called the meta-model because it covers all the other SDLC models. For example, one loop spiral depicts the iterative and waterfall model in software engineering.

The model encompasses the stepwise approach of the classical waterfall model.

It also implements the approach of the prototyping model by making a prototype at the beginning of each phase as a risk-handling technique.

That’s why organizations use this model from the initial stage of choosing approaches, such as PoC vs Prototype and MVP.

Also, the model can be seen as supportive of the evolutionary model—the iterations along the spiral can be seen as evolutionary levels through which the complete system is developed.

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The 4 Main Spiral Model Phases: A Guide to the Complete Process

The process of the spiral model in software engineering is described below:

1. Requirement Analysis: Determine Objectives and Plan the Project

This is the starting process of this model, where the business needs are gathered.

The spirals would involve the documentation of system requirements, unit requirements, and the need for the subsystem.

For instance, a company needs AI integration in MVP development. This specification will need thorough requirements analysis.

It includes planning logical design, architectural design, flow charts, decision trees, etc.

In this stage, there is an easy understanding of the system's requirements since communication between the business analyst and the client will always be constant.

After the cycle, the application will be deployed to the market.

2. Risk Analysis: Propose Solutions

After this phase, a "plan" is prepared, and the team is ready for the "risk" phase. This "risk" phase is designed for the variability in the rate at which a specific product might fail.

It is designed to address the uncertainties associated with the rate at which a specific product might fail.

However, during the "risk" stage, it measures many aspects of the product that are then in existence, such as how the code is, the state of the designs, and the prototype.

This is where companies include a PoC (proof of concept) approach to plan out their entire product’s requirements, risks, and vision at the very start.

Given that the findings have reached the "plan," the team has to make all alterations that might lead to the product's condition and then move to another "sales" stage to get customer feedback.

Once the risks are identified, risk mitigation strategies are planned and completed.

Briefly, risk analysis identifies, estimates, and monitors technical feasibility and management risks, such as schedule slippage and cost overrun.

3. Product Software Engineering: Development and Coding

After gathering all the requirements of the design stage, we will move on to our next step, the coding stage.

Here, we will develop the product based on the client's requirements and get the client's feedback.

This stage refers to the development of the actual application in every cycle. It is a crucial stage where we make core decisions, like choosing a cross-platform app development framework, etc.

Those spirals had excellent clarity of the requirements, and the design details of an application are known as the build with version numbers. Then, these builds are transferred to the client for their responses.

4. Testing and Evaluating: Plan the Next Stage

After product development, we will test the build towards the end of the first cycle and examine the risk of the software in various dimensions, such as managing risks and detecting and observing technical feasibility.

Developers may use unit testing vs integration testing or functionality testing to perform the evaluation task. After that, the customer reviews this software.

It also encompasses risk identification and monitoring similar to the others, cost overruns or schedule slippage, and afterward, the planning for the next phase gets initiated.

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What are the Advantages of the Spiral Model?

Below are some advantages:

1. Handling Risk

Projects that involve a lot of unknown risks occur as development continues. Hence, this model is the best development model to align with risk analysis and handling at each phase.

2. Large Project Adaptability

Usually, large and complex projects use this model to simplify the development process.

3. Requirement Flexibilit

This model can include the changes in the requirements at a later phase with high precision.

4. Customer Satisfaction

The product integrated with the software development process is visible to the customers at the preliminary stage, and thus, they get familiar with the system before completing the whole product.

5. Iterative and Incremental Approach

The model allows software development to use an iterative and incremental process for more flexibility and adaptability in response to changing requirements or the unexpected.

6. Emphasis on Risk Management

This model strongly influences risk management, limiting uncertainty and risk impact on the software development process.

7. Improved Communication

The model enables frequent assessments and rehearsals, which helps improve communication between the customer and the development team.

8. Improved Quality

It also enables successive iterations of the software development cycle, ensuring improved quality and reliability.

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What are the Disadvantages of the Spiral Model?

Talking about the spiral model's advantages and disadvantages, here are some of its drawbacks:

1. Complex

This model is much more sophisticated and complex than other SDLC models, as it has various functioning layers.

2. Costly

It does not apply to small-scale projects, as it is very cost-intensive and unsuitable for small-scale development projects.

3. Dependability on Risk Analysis

The completion of the project largely depends on risk analysis. Without a high level of experts, developing a project using this model would fail.

4. Difficulty in Time Management

Since the number of phases is not known at the beginning of the project, time estimation becomes very difficult.

5. Detailed

The model might be cumbersome because it would comprise several repetitions of a software development process.

For example, when developing a project with artificial intelligence, it’s necessary to have ethical considerations when using generative AI for a successful project. It requires you to be detailed about everything.

6. Time-Consuming

It can also be time-consuming because it requires several evaluations and reviews throughout development.

7. Resource Intensive

It can be resource-intensive because it requires significant investment in planning, risk analysis, and several evaluations.

The most serious issue we face in the cascade model is the time it takes to finish the product and the possibility of it going out of fashion.

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Applications of Spiral Model

1. Web-Based Applications

The model divides the whole process into various modules. Consequently, the module is given to the customer.

You can use it from the start. The suggested model also proves helpful when customer requirements are changing.

In the middle, it is easy to incorporate during the development process. It helps you progress your project step by step, from selecting the list of databases for web application development to more.

2. Mobile Application Development

Mobile Application Development Life Cycle or MADLC combines the traditional Prototype and this model.

In development, let’s say for a game app for Android, we must consider cross-platform development, ways of interacting with users, and memory usage because low memory space is a common issue in mobiles.

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What is the Spiral Model Example?

Let us see one spiral model example for a better understanding of this concept:

The software is developed in small modules in the cyclic model. Suppose we have the application A, and this A application is created with the help of different models such as P, Q, and R.

» In the P module, we get the requirement first, and then design the module only. And the coding part of module A is done when it is tested for bugs.

» The next module, Q, was created when module P was built. We follow the same process as we did in module P, but when we start testing module Q, we check the following conditions, such as:

» Test the Q module

» The test integration of module Q with P

» Test module P

» After creating the modules P and Q, we will proceed to module R, where we will then follow the same process as modules P and Q and then test the following conditions:

» First, check the modules R, Q, and P.

» Then, check the integration of the module in the below order:

» R → Q, R and P → P and Q

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Spiral Model Changes

In this model, we can perform two types of changes, which are listed as:

1. Major Changes

When the customer requests significant changes in the requirements for a particular module, we only change that module and perform testing for both integration and unit.

It could even lead to developers switching to other backend languages in the middle of the whole project.

And for this, we always prefer one new cycle because it may affect the existing modules. Significant changes could be made to the functionality of the software.

2. Minor changes

The software team makes minor changes whenever the client demands minor modifications in a particular application.

Those changes lead to the development of the new module, which is to be done simultaneously in a single cycle.

We never look for any new cycle or iteration because minor variation does not affect the existing functionality and consumes extra resources and time. The minor changes could be included in the UI/UX roadmap.

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What are the Risks While Handling the Spiral Model?

A risk is any adverse condition that might affect the practical completion of a software project.

The core attribute of the cyclic model is the mitigation of unknown risks after the project's initiation.

Such risk mitigation is more straightforward and carried out by prototype design.

Here are some of the risk mitigation techniques under this model:

» This model facilitates risk handling by presenting the possibility of creating a prototype at each step of the system development life cycle for the software concerned.

» The prototyping model also accommodates risk handling, but the risks need to be identified fully before the project's development work begins.

» However, in practical life, the risk of a project may arise after the work of development has begun, and then we cannot apply the prototyping model.

» The product's characteristics are dated and analyzed at one stage, and the risks identified at that stage are resolved through prototyping.

So, this model is much more flexible than other models used in SDLC.

Final Thoughts

The spiral model is an excellent choice for software development projects where risk management is a high priority.

It delivers quality software due to risk identification, iterative developments, and client feedback.

Every project in software engineering is vast, which is why this model is suitable for the development process.

If you’re looking for a platform to provide software development services, you can connect with us.

Arramton Infotech is a web development company fostering highly skilled developers to take on the task iOS or Android app development and software with AI and ML services integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is meant by the spiral model?

Ans: This model extends a system's incremental development, emphasizing risk analysis. It has four phases:

» Planning

» Risk analysis 

» Development

» Evaluation

A software project repeatedly passes through these phases in iterations called spirals in this model.

Q. What are the 4 phases of the spiral model?

Ans: The model comprises four stages—planning, risk analysis, developing, and testing—carried out in a spiral fashion; every spiral depends on the previous one.

Q. Who proposed the spiral model?

Ans: This model was first put forth by Barry Boehm in his paper, "A Spiral Model of Software Development and Enhancement," 1986. In 1988, Boehm published a paper similar to that of a broader audience.

Q. What is the spiral principle?

Ans: The spiral approach is often used in education, where the initial focus of instruction is the basic facts of a subject, with further details introduced as learning progresses.