Introduction
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a term that often sounds complex and intimidating to many, but it is a crucial framework that simplifies the process of building software. In this blog, we will demystify SDLC, breaking it down into understandable concepts and shedding light on why it is anything but scary. Whether you are a developer looking to deepen your understanding or someone simply curious about software development, join us to explore the ins and outs of SDLC.
What is the Lifecycle of Software Development?
Simply put, there are six stages to the SDLC model.
- Understand and clarify the project’s scope and identify any issues, risks, and opportunities.
- Map out project requirements by documenting all the specifications and then getting them approved by the appropriate stakeholders.
- Design your process based on the requirements gathered- ideally, you will have more than one design so that they can be compared, and the most optimal design can be chosen.
- Develop your product by generating programming language code according to your design plan, but make sure all new features are completed within deadlines and following customer guidelines.
- Test your product at each stage as your software is being built. You can send any defects back to the development team during this stage for correction.
- Deploy your product once it has been thoroughly tested, and then incorporate any user feedback into the release of your next software update. Maintain your product to make sure it continues to work as expected.
The six stages of the SDLC model work together to provide you with the highest functional software possible.
What is the role of the SDLC?
The main purpose is to provide IT (Information Technology) project managers with the tools to help ensure that the implementation of systems is satisfactory enough to comply with business objectives. You can ensure that executive leadership, functional managers, and users sign off on requirements and implementation of the system so that everyone has visibility of what is occurring in the life cycle.
The Goals of the SDLC approach are to:
- Deliver quality systems that can exceed customer expectations.
- Provide a framework for developing quality systems using an identifiable process.
- Establish a project management structure so that no stage of the development slips through the cracks.
- Assign roles to specific users and keep track of each function throughout the life cycle and
- Ensure that system development requirements are well-defined so that they can be satisfied.
What are some common model types of the SDLC?
Although the SDLC follows a spiral model, learning about the other common types of models associated with this life cycle is essential, mainly because the Spiral model combines elements of the iterative and waterfall models.
- The Waterfall Model is the oldest and is thus named because of linear beginning-to-end flow. Each stage in the plan for this model must be executed well before the next stage can begin.
- V-model – This approach is an extension of the waterfall model. It incorporated testing and validation at each broken-down stage from the waterfall model so that no errors are missed, and testing at the end is easy.
- The Iterative Process Model – In this model, there is an initial version of the software before it is fully developed. This is so that the project can be broken down into manageable chunks so the software can be deployed more quickly.
- Spiral Model – The model associated with the SDLC combines the Waterfall model and the Iterative Process model. It repeats a project’s planning, designing, building, and testing stages in linear order like in the waterfall model, and makes improvements iteratively with each pass through the process.
- The Big Bang Model – This model does not require formal structure but instead relies on substantial amounts of time and effort to produce software, which makes it the most high-risk of all the models but best suited for small teams.
Why should we implement this plan?
The SDLC process will provide a framework to ensure no steps are missed by clearly defining goals, activities, and deliverables. This life cycle helps you minimize risks, vet software quality, manage customer expectations, and maintain the product once deployed.
By providing you with a clear structure for your software, the SDLC process provides you with
What are some SDLC best practices?
What should you do to implement this lifecycle? To get the most out of it, there are some best practices you can follow:
- Ensure you have a clear preview of your requirements before you begin planning. This will save you time, money, and resources and allow you to make fewer mistakes through more specific planning.
- Automate the process of task distribution. Tasks are quickly passed from hand to hand, depending on the stage they are in. However, managing the task of ensuring the right person has the right task can be challenging. Automation tools can be used for a smooth transition between team members and to ensure no tasks get lost.
- Select the right development approach for you. There are different software development methods, and though the SDLC method typically follows the Spiral method, you can choose between various methods as it suits you.
Why should you invest in SDLC?
The future of SDLC is bright. Many emerging trends will impact the SDLC over the next several years, including AI’s role in development. Software may be developed with a single code base without needing different versions of the same app on iOS and Android. Security will also be a greater focus, and cybersecurity measures will be increasingly integrated into applications, which makes it a safe investment bet. There are too many reasons to invest in SDLC, so what are you waiting for?
Conclusion
The SDLC process is designed for maximum efficiency so that you can optimize software development. The process may seem daunting, but with testing at every stage, it can be easy to follow through, especially when you have help from experienced professionals who can help you at every step.
Contact Prudent now to get started with implementing SDLC in your software!