SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) is a process for researching, designing, developing, and deploying high-quality software. It is a step-by-step method for defining each stage of software development.
The purpose of following this process is to deliver high-quality, maintainable software that meets the user’s requirements. If you’re here, you’re probably eager to delve deeper into this concept. So, without further ado, let’s explore the detailed process overview that awaits you.
What is Software Development Life Cycle?
SLDC is the precise planning and process of custom software development. Following steps accordingly reduces the room for errors that directly affect the cost, making the whole project pocket-friendly for most businesses. There are multiple steps, and teams of experts are assigned individual roles to perform, which are combined to make the full software.
Stages of Software Development Life Cycle
There are not just a few but six major Software Development Life Cycle phases or stages. These stages, when combined, are responsible for the entire development process. This comprehensive nature of the SDLC process is what makes it so effective and widely used in the software industry.
1. Requirement Analysis
The first and foremost step of SDLC is requirement analysis. It is a very important step in software development. All the data related to the project from the clients is collected. Along with this, the team of experts also analyses the market for the latest trends and technologies for enhanced outcomes. Find the pattern the target audience wants. This information from the analysis forms the building block of the basic project. Thus, analysis of every small detail results in the best quality.
2. Planning
After collecting all the required information, it is time to plan. This stage consists of obtaining all the approvals from the clients, determining how work will be done, what requirements need to be covered in the project, and specifically determining how the project and team will work throughout the development process.
In the same process, the budget and time are determined considering all the factors according to the requirements of the specific client.
3. Project Design
According to Forrester Research, a well-designed UI can raise a website’s conversion rate by 200%, and a good UX design could yield a conversion rate of up to 400%. So, this small amount of data clearly shows that it is vital to work thoroughly on the software’s design. Understanding that UX/UI design can dramatically change the face of a business is enough to focus on this factor.
In this step, the team of expert designers designs the wireframe and the elements that need to be added to the software as per the requirement.
4. Software Development
Now comes the development process. The team of software developers works on the coding part according to the project design using the latest technologies and programming languages. They also follow market trends to enhance the project’s development. The team works closely on every detail, keeping the client in the loop to ensure everything is going as planned and maintaining transparency across the process.
Moreover, the integration of 3rd party and implementation process is also carried out in this same process.
5. Testing
After the development is completed, it’s time to check the software’s errors and malfunctions for proper functioning. Software testing services improve the areas causing issues in the whole software and can also affect user usage. Moreover, the testing is done in multiple parts, such as manual and automated testing, to make sure everything is perfect.
6. Deployment & Maintenance
After completing the detailed testing, the final product is released in phases as per the client’s direction. After this, the product is tested in a real-time environment. If the product performs well, then the full version is released, beneficial feedback is ensured, and the required improvements are made to make it further helpful for the users. However, this is not the last thing that is done in the development.
The owner must ensure that updates and maintenance are received in a timely manner. Moreover, the system should also be checked when an issue occurs.
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Different Types of Software Development Life Cycle Models
There are more than 50 recognized models in use for SDLC. But every has its pros and cons, and none of them are perfect. Let’s have a look at the top 5 popular SLDC models in this section.
1. Waterfall Model
It is the fundamental framework of the life cycle of software development. This model is quite basic. Although it is no longer in use, the waterfall model serves as the foundation for all other SDLC models. The waterfall approach is easier to apply and produces a concrete result because of its straightforward structure. Because of its less flexible nature, the waterfall model is no longer in use. Once a phase appears to be finished, it cannot be altered.
2. Agile Model
The primary purpose of the agile approach in the SDLC was to quickly adjust to changing requests. Facilitating rapid project completion is the Agile model’s primary objective. A collection of development procedures is referred to as the agile model. While these processes share significant similarities, they also differ slightly from one another.
3. Iterative Model
Every cycle in the iterative model of the software development life cycle (SDLC) yields a semi-developed yet deployable version of the program. Each cycle also adds requirements to the program, and the final cycle produces software with all specified requirements.
4. Spiral Model
The spiral model is one of the most important SDLC models that supports risk management. Its diagrammatic depiction has a variety of spirals, the number of which varies depending on the project type. The phases of the spiral model are represented by each loop in the spiral structure.
5. V-Shaped Model
The SDLC’s V-shaped concept is implemented sequentially. This methodology features integrated testing phases for each level or phase. Every development phase has a testing phase that comes after it, and the next phase (development & testing) begins after the previous phase is finished. It is sometimes referred to as the validation or verification model.
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Benefits of Following Software Development Life Cycle
Using SLDC for your project has several benefits. In this section, we will briefly examine each one.
Structured Process
SDLC offers a structured approach to software development, ensuring that every phase is properly planned and executed. This structured process helps reduce risks and manage resources effectively.
Improved Quality
SDLC, by following a systematic approach to development, helps improve the quality of software products. Each phase includes reviews, testing, and validation processes that help identify and fix defects early in the development lifecycle.
Better Control and Management
SDLC provides project managers and stakeholders with better control over the project’s progress. It includes milestones, deliverables, and checkpoints that enable monitoring and adjustments as needed throughout the development process.
Efficient Resource Utilization
By defining clear roles, responsibilities, and tasks for each phase, SDLC ensures efficient utilization of resources (including time, budget, and human resources). This helps in avoiding unnecessary delays and cost overruns.
Risk Management
SDLC incorporates risk management strategies at various stages of development. Risks such as scope creep, technology failures, and changing requirements are identified and addressed early, reducing the likelihood of project failure.
Clear Communication
SDLC promotes clear and effective communication among stakeholders, team members, and clients throughout the project lifecycle. This ensures that everyone involved is aligned with project goals, requirements, and progress.
Predictability
With a defined and repeatable process, SDLC enhances predictability in terms of project timelines, budget estimates, and product quality. This predictability is crucial for meeting customer expectations and organizational goals.
Customer Satisfaction
Ultimately, SDLC aims to deliver a high-quality product that meets or exceeds customer expectations. By focusing on requirements gathering, testing, and validation, SDLC helps in delivering software that is reliable, functional, and user-friendly.
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Conclusion
Coming to the end, we know that software development life cycle in the making of the software is an important framework for the better and more structured development of optimized software programs. There is a lot of technological advancement going on to maintain all the standards that need to be fulfilled in the market standards.
