Software Development Lifecycle

Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

Stages of software development from problem definition to deployment

Problem Definition

Identifying existing system problems or defining new system problems

Project Scope

Detailed description of work, boundaries, objectives, deliverables, and constraints

Project Objectives

Clear, measurable goals that the project aims to achieve

Deliverables

Tangible or intangible results or products produced as part of the project

Boundaries

Inclusions and exclusions of the project to prevent scope creep

Constraints

Limitations such as budget, time, and resources that impact the project

Assumptions

Factors assumed during scope definition that may impact project success

Stakeholders

Key individuals involved or affected by the project and their interests

Requirements

Specific details regarding functionalities, features, and quality standards

Milestones and Timeline

Schedule outlining completion of project tasks and deliverables

Feasibility Study

Determining if the project can be done and is desirable for the development company

Analysis

Finding out system details through fact-finding methods

Requirements Specification

Documenting measurable functional, performance, and user experience requirements

Input Design

Designing how data will be input and displayed in the system

Output Design

Determining triggers and details of system output

Data Structure Design

Defining data storage and organization for input and output designs

Development

Creating software based on requirements and specifications

Testing

Thoroughly testing the system before deployment

Black box testing

Testing without knowledge of internal structure or code

White box testing

Testing with knowledge of internal structure and code

Alpha testing

Testing by developers before release to external users

Beta testing

Testing by external users before final release

Documentation

Technical and user documentation throughout the system lifecycle

Technical Documentation

Explains how the system works for future maintenance

User Documentation

Guides and help for complex or inexperienced users

Deployment

Installing the software at the client's site

Direct changeover

Immediate system deployment

Phased changeover

System deployment in stages

Pilot changeover

Testing system deployment with a small group

Parallel changeover

Running old and new systems simultaneously

Maintenance

Fixing problems and adding functionality after deployment

Evaluation

Assessing project success based on requirements, performance, usability, robustness, and cost