System Development Life Cycle

Course: Introduction to Computer Technology

Submitted by: Washam Waseem

Major: Digital Communication and Media Technology

Semester: II

Submitted to: Sir Mohsin

As the name suggests, “System Development Life Cycle” is a series of well defined phases in

which high quality software are developed. It is a life cycle and development of a software. Each

phase has its own unique set of activities and mechanics. SDLC is necessary as it gives us a

dynamic landscape of technology and a well structured approach for the system development.

With the help of SDLC, system software are created, developed and maintained through different

phases. For more efficient and effective development of systems it is best for us for follow the

SDLC chart as it minimizes risks, maximizes the efficiency, resulting in the successful

development of a system. With the help of SDLC, organizations and creators can systematically

plan, design, implement, test, deploy and maintain a software solution.

2|Page
System Development Life Cycle:

SDLC stands for System Development Life Cycle. It's a well structured approach used in

software engineering for building, developing, and maintaining high-quality software systems.

The SDLC consists of a series of well-defined phases, each with its own set of activities and

mechanics. These phases typically include planning, analysis, design, implementation (coding),

testing, deployment, and maintenance. By following the SDLC, organizations can systematically

develop software solutions while minimizing risks, maximizing efficiency, and ensuring

successful outcomes. There are various SDLC models, such as Waterfall, Agile, Spiral, and

DevOps, offering different approaches to organizing and executing these phases based on project

requirements and constraints.

SDLC Models:

There are several SDLC (System Development Life Cycle) models, each offering a different

approach to organizing and executing the phases of software development. Some of the

commonly known SDLC models include:

1. Waterfall Model: This model follows a linear and sequential approach, where each

phase must be completed before moving on to the next. The phases typically include

requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

3|Page
 2. Agile Model: Agile methodologies emphasize on incremental development, with a focus

on collaboration, flexibility, and customer feedback. It involves breaking the

development process into small iterations or sprints, where requirements and solutions

evolve through the collaborative effort of self-organizing cross-functional teams.

3. Spiral Model: The Spiral model combines elements of both the Waterfall and Iterative

models. It involves multiple cycles of prototyping, risk analysis, development, and

4|Page
 testing, with each cycle aiming to address specific risks identified in the previous

iteration.

4. DevOps: DevOps is not strictly an SDLC model but rather a cultural and organizational

approach that emphasizes collaboration, automation, and integration between

development and operations teams. It aims to streamline the entire software delivery

process, from development to deployment and maintenance.

Phases of SDLC:
5|Page
The phases of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) typically include:

1. Planning: This initial phase involves defining the scope of the project, identifying

objectives, establishing timelines, and allocating resources. It also involves conducting

feasibility studies to assess the project's viability.

2. Analysis: During this phase, requirements are gathered from stakeholders. This involves

understanding the needs of end-users, identifying system functionalities, and

documenting requirements in detail.

3. Design: In this phase, the system architecture and design are created based on the

requirements gathered in the analysis phase. This includes designing the system's

structure, interfaces, databases, and other technical specifications.

4. Implementation (Coding): The actual coding or programming of the software system

occurs in this phase. Developers write code based on the design specifications. This

phase also involves integrating various components and technologies to build the system.

5. Testing: Once the system is developed, it undergoes rigorous testing to identify and fix

defects or errors. Testing can include unit testing (testing individual components),

6|Page
 integration testing (testing how components work together), system testing (testing the

entire system), and user acceptance testing (testing by end-users).

6. Deployment (Implementation): After testing is complete and the system is deemed

ready for release, it is deployed to the production environment. This involves installing

the software, configuring it, and migrating data if necessary.

7. Maintenance: The maintenance phase involves keeping the system up and running

smoothly after deployment. This includes fixing bugs, making enhancements or updates,

and addressing any issues that arise in the live environment. Maintenance can be

corrective (fixing defects) or adaptive (making changes to adapt to new requirements or

technologies).

Conclusion:

The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) embodies a systematic and structured approach to

software development, guiding projects from inception to deployment and beyond. Through its

well-defined phases of planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and

maintenance, the SDLC provides a roadmap for efficient and effective software development. By

adhering to the principles of the SDLC, organizations can minimize risks, optimize resource

utilization, and deliver high-quality software solutions that meet the needs and expectations of

stakeholders. Furthermore, the SDLC fosters collaboration, transparency, and accountability

throughout the development process, enabling teams to navigate complexities, mitigate

challenges, and achieve successful outcomes. In essence, the SDLC serves as a cornerstone of

modern software engineering, empowering organizations to innovate, adapt, and thrive in an

ever-evolving technological landscape.

7|Page
References:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSU2MPeptpM (SDLC Life Cycle for Beginners |

Software Development Life Cycle with Real life example)

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASrMUd0p9fE (Comparison of All SDLC Models |

Waterfall, Iterative, Prototype, Spiral, Increment, RAD, Agile etc.)

8|Page