What describes an incremental approach where steps are followed in sequential order?

The Waterfall model is characterized by its linear and sequential approach to software development and project management. In this methodology, the project is divided into distinct phases, where each phase must be completed before the next one begins. These phases typically include requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

The key characteristic of the Waterfall approach is that each step must be finished before moving on to the subsequent step, which creates a structured progression through the project. This is in contrast to more flexible methodologies like Agile, which allow for overlapping phases and continuous improvement based on feedback.

This sequential flow aids in clearly defining project milestones and deliverables at each stage. It is particularly effective in environments where project requirements are well understood upfront and unlikely to change throughout the development process.