SDLC (software development life cycle) is an approach or process that software engineers use to develop software or applications. SDLC is a methodology that has been developed over many years to help companies develop software and applications. It describes all the activities to be performed during software development at different stages or phases by different people in an organization like how to develop, test, deploy, maintain and enhance the software. In this guide, we will discuss all phases or stages of SDLC in detail and provide tips on how to complete each phase successfully.
SDLC is generally followed by the developers and business analysts, but test engineers should also be familiar with SDLC concepts for their successful carrier. They should have an understanding of what are the stages of SDLC and the models of SDLC that are being used in SDLC to produce a high-quality and low-cost product within the given timeframe.
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The Different Stages of the Software Development Life Cycle
The SDLC consists of six stages as mentioned below.
- Requirement Gathering and Analysis
- Design
- Implementation and Coding
- Testing
- Deployment
- Maintenance
Requirement Gathering and Analysis/Planning
It is important to understand the requirements of a project before starting development. This is done through requirement gathering and analysis.
Requirements gathering is the process of collecting all the requirements for a project. These requirements are mainly gathered from the client for which a business analyst and/or project manager would have multiple meetings with customers or clients. These can also be done through interviews, surveys, observation, competitive analysis, and existing documentation analysis.
Requirements gathering or analysis is one of the early stages of the SDLC when teams identify what they need in order to create a successful product.
Once they have a good understanding of what’s needed, they can begin developing a detailed plan for achieving it.
Once all the requirements have been gathered, these need to be analyzed to see if they are realistic and achievable. This is done by looking at things like feasibility, cost, time, and resources needed. To make sure that the requirements are captured correctly and completely, it is important to use a requirements document. This should contain a description of what the system is supposed to do, how it is supposed to do it, who the stakeholders are, any assumptions made during analysis, and any functional or nonfunctional requirements. These requirements should also be traceable to the higher-level business and system requirements.
Gathering and analyzing the requirements are done by the business analyst, who prepares different types of documents. The most common document that is prepared by the business analyst is the Software Requirements Specifications (SRS) which is reviewed and approved by the different stakeholders. This is the most technical format explaining each requirement with the help of text, diagrams, dataflow, design images, prototypes, etc. After approval of the SRS document, it is handed over to the developers to start designing and coding, and to the testers to start making test plans and writing their test cases.
Click here (coming soon) to get detailed guidance on how a business analyst gathers and analyzes the requirements.
Design and Prototyping
The design phase in the SDLC is critical to success. By understanding the design process and its impact on the development life cycle, organizations can improve their chances of delivering quality software products.
The design stage in the SDLC is responsible for creating a blueprint or prototype for the finished product. It is also determined how data will flow and be stored, which database will be used, what user interface look and feel, how the users will interact with the software, platforms on which the software will run, security measures, and which development resources like programming languages, APIs, etc. will fit to implement the requirements.
The first step in the design process is to understand the requirements of the project. This includes understanding the business need, functional requirements, and any non-functional requirements. Defined requirements are the input to the design phase.
During this phase of the SDLC, the team creates detailed design documents that outline each step of the project and what will be required to complete it. This document includes drawings and diagrams that help visualize the project, as well as specifications for software components and systems. The design phase also helps to identify any potential problems that may occur during implementation and addresses them in advance.
Click here (coming soon) to get detailed guidance on how to plan and design the final product in the design phase, and which documents, processes, and techniques are being used in the market during the design phase of the SDLC.
Implementation and Coding
Implementation is one of the stages in the SDLC and refers to the actual implementation of the software project, which is where the actual coding takes place. The code is written according to the design specifications from the previous stage. This stage includes all of the work necessary to build, test and deploy the software. It also includes the management of project resources and the coordination of team members. Implementation usually takes place over a period of several months or years, although it can take longer or shorter periods of time depending on the size and complexity of the project.
Development is one of the main stages in the SDLC. It’s responsible for creating the software from a blank sheet of paper or computer screen into a functioning product. Development typically starts with an idea or specification and ends with the finished product being made available to users. Development can involve a number of different activities, including design, programming, testing, and debugging. This usually involves the creation of source code.
Testing Phase
In software development, testing is one of the most important phases in the software development life cycle (SDLC), where any errors or bugs in the code are found and fixed. Testing can help ensure that the software meets all requirements and that it works as expected, and is ready to use by the users.
Without proper testing, the software can be released with bugs or errors that can cause serious problems. Testing typically takes place during the implementation phase, but it can also be carried out at any point during the project in the early stages of the SDLC.
There are many different types of tests that can be performed on software, and each has its own purpose. Some of the most common types of tests include functional testing, unit testing, integration testing, and system testing. Depending on the project, various other types of tests may also be needed.
Deployment Phase
In any software development project, there are a few key steps that need to happen in order for the project to be successful. One of those steps is deployment, which is an important phase of the software development life cycle (SDLC) at which the finished product is made available to users. Deployment is an important stage in the life cycle of a product because it allows users to access and use the software.
No matter what the size of the project, though, deployment is an important step in the software development life cycle. It’s often one of the last steps before launch, and it’s important to get it right.
Deployment is the process of putting a software application or system into production. It includes all of the activities required to build, test and deploy the software. It can involve installing the software safely on a target computer, smartphone, or server, making it available to users through a network, or mailing it to them.
Maintenance and Updates
The maintenance and updates phase is one of the final stages in the software development life cycle (SDLC). It is crucial to ensure the long-term success of your software application. During this phase, your team will work to identify and fix any bugs that were missed during the development process. In addition, they will also add new features and functionality as requested by users. While it can be tempting to rush through this phase in order to get your product out the door, it’s important to take the time necessary to ensure a high-quality final product.
Maintenance and updates are typically performed after development has been completed but before regression testing begins. Maintenance is the process of fixing errors and improving the functionality of the software. It’s responsible for ensuring that the software remains updated and stable as new versions are released or modifications are made with changes in the operating systems or industry.
Why is the SDLC important?
In the business world, time is money. The faster a company can get its product or service to market, the sooner it can start making money. To do this, companies need a process for taking their product from idea to market. This process is called the software development life cycle (SDLC).
The SDLC is important because it helps companies manage their resources and time efficiently so they can get their products to market quickly. It also helps ensure that products are high quality and meet customer expectations. By following the SDLC, companies can improve their chances of success and avoid costly mistakes.
