Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) - Overview
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a systematic
process used for planning, developing, testing, and deploying
high-quality software. It ensures that the software meets or
exceeds customer expectations while being delivered on time
and within budget.
Key Phases of SDLC
. Requirement Analysis:
○ Stakeholders identify and document functional and
non-functional requirements.
○ Outputs: Requirement Specification Documents
(e.g., SRS).
4
. Planning:
○ Defining project scope, resource allocation,
budget, and timeline.
○ Risk assessment is conducted to address potential
3
challenges.
. System Design:
○ Architectural and detailed design of the system.
2
○ Outputs include Data Flow Diagrams (DFD), Entity-
Relationship Diagrams (ERD), and UI/UX
prototypes.
1
. Implementation (Coding):
○ Developers translate design into code.
○ The software is developed in modules or
components.
. Testing:
1
○ Ensures the software functions as intended.
○ Types of testing include unit testing, integration
testing, system testing, and user acceptance
testing (UAT).
7
. Deployment:
○ Software is released to the production
environment.
6
○ May involve installation, configuration, and user
training.
. Maintenance:
○ Ongoing support for bug fixes, performance
5
improvements, and updates to adapt to changing
requirements.
Popular SDLC Models
. Waterfall Model:
○ Sequential and linear, where each phase must be
completed before moving to the next.
○ Best suited for projects with well-defined
requirements.
. Agile Model:
○ Iterative and incremental, emphasizing flexibility
and customer collaboration.
○ Prominent frameworks include Scrum and Kanban.
. Iterative Model:
○ Development occurs in cycles, improving the
system with each iteration.
○ Allows for refinement based on feedback.
. V-Model (Validation and Verification):
○ Testing is planned alongside each development
phase.
○ Ensures quality at every stage.
. Spiral Model:
○ Combines iterative development with risk
management.
○ Suitable for large, high-risk projects.
. DevOps:
○ Focuses on collaboration between development
and operations teams.
○ Emphasizes continuous integration and
deployment (CI/CD).
Importance of SDLC
● Ensures Structure: Provides a clear framework for
development.
● Improves Quality: Emphasizes thorough testing and
validation.
● Reduces Risk: Early identification of issues minimizes
potential project failures.
● Cost-Effective: Streamlined processes reduce wasted
time and resources.
● Enhances Collaboration: Facilitates communication
among stakeholders, developers, and testers.