SDLC is a process that is used by the software industry, its aim is to design, develop and test high-quality custom software programs before clients and end-users use them.
Table of Contents
What is SDLC?
SDLC is a methodology that is composed of defined processes for making a high-quality software. It concentrates on the following stages of software development.
- Analysis of requirements
- Planning
- Design
- Development
- Testing
- Deployment
It is also termed as process model. It is the diagrammatic representation of the life cycle of a software. A life cycle model shows all the processes and methods that a product needs to go through its life cycle phases. SDLC also shows the structure of undertaking these processes. To put it simply, it maps all the activities that a software product performs from start to end. There are many life cycle models and they plan development to life stages in different ways. The essential activities are similar in all models but each of them carry out the actions in specific orders. In some models more than one activity might be carried out.
Why do we need SDLC?
The development of a software product will not be in a systematic manner if it doesn’t follow a specific life cycle model. The team responsible for developing a software must know and understand everything about what and when to do things. Otherwise, things might go downhill soon. Life cycle models provide entry and exit criteria for every phase of the product. Unless the criteria have been fulfilled, the phase will not start. When there is no life cycle model in use, these criteria cannot be recognized. It will then become very hard to monitor the progress of the product for the project manager. SDLC is important because it breaks the long and tiring life cycle of software development.
How do SDLCs work?
Life cycle models work by reducing the cost of software development. But at the same time, they also give you an improved quality of products in a short time. SDLCs follow a plan that is free from all the typical pitfalls of project development. This plan begins by checking the existing system for deficiencies. This is followed by defining the needs of the new system. This newly developed system then creates the various stages of the SDLC. It anticipates the mistakes in advance and reduces repetitive rework significantly. SDLC concentrates a lot on the testing phase. Since it is a repetitive process, you have to make sure that the code quality is appropriate. This will save you a lot of time, money and rework.
Stages of SDLC
If you are interested in custom software development and would like to give it a try, then you first need to understand the various stages of SDLC. The custom software development professionals at fortyseven are very cooperative and helpful. Know more from the CMO, Hanna Shnaider. The stages of SDLC are as follows:
Identification of requirements
In this stage of SDLC input is taken from all the stakeholders, industry experts, salespeople, programmers, customers and industry experts. Thinking about what the problems and deficiencies are in the current system, identify the strengths and weaknesses and keep improvement as your goal. The fortyseven IT team emphasizes the value of discussion with the client so that they can capture a complete picture of the requirements and project workflow.
Planning
At this stage, the software development process starts. Now that you have already identified the problems, you can start making the solutions. At this stage, you make a detailed plan that includes timeline specification, budget and resources. Most custom software development companies will ask their clients about their expectations, intended users and the various pain points. The client will have to determine their ROI and the way to measure it. From there on the custom software agency will identify the system requirements.
Design
When planning is done the software development company will move on to designing the custom software. They will identify the functionalities, important features and craft the software by going back to the requirement document. The development companies plan a high-level and low-level design. This includes programming languages, frameworks and system architecture. All stakeholders of the company then review the plan and give their feedback and suggestions.
Build
The actual development of the software starts here. To be successful, every developer must stick to the blueprint decided upon. The development team has to make sure that there are guidelines available about the code style and practices.
Testing
To see whether what you wanted was achieved, the custom software development firm will conduct various tests. Basically, the tests are conducted to check the quality of codes. Some of the tests that are conducted may include the following:
- Unit testing
- Beta testing
- Test for user acceptance
- System testing
- Integration testing
- Split testing
- Functionality and usability testing
Deployment
After the approval of the software it is forwarded to the production phase. It is then deployed and released for use. This is where the actual test of the software development process starts. The client will see how the product is perceived by the users and utilized.
Operation and maintenance
SDLC is a process that doesn’t end after the deployment stage. Operation and maintenance is the last phase of this process. In the real world, the plan almost never turns out to be perfect. The developer team almost always needs to update and improve the product. New feature or an update will start another SDLC. It is always important to keep a good relation between the client and the software development company.
Conclusion
SDLC brings high-level management and documentation. The responsible development team knows what to do and how to do it. All the concerned parties involved in the project agree on the goals decided and devise a concise plan for it. Everyone is kept in the loop regarding the costs and required resources. A few examples of the famous SDLCs are Waterfall, V-model, Agile model, Spiral model, Big Bang model and Iterative model. If the pitfalls are not dodged, SDLC will become more of a hindrance rather than a development tool. Its benefits can be reaped only if the software development team sticks to the plan.
