What is the Software Development Life Cycle? Understand SDLC
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is one kind of methodology used for creating high-quality, useful, and maintainable software. You can understand SDLC as a construction plan for the building. Development teams rely on the SDLC due to its time-efficient and cost-effective approach.
This approach covers 7 core phases of software development from planning to maintenance. SDCL is helping to create software according to customer’s preferences.
This article will teach everything related to the Software Development Life Cycle. We cover the meaning of SDLC, its phases, and how it works during development. So, you can get a better idea even if you’re from a non-technical background. It will help you to decide on software development for your business.
Let’s start with the fundamentals because you must have to know every piece of information properly.
What is the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured and iterative process to create modern applications. In this process, the 7 phases include: planning, analyzing, designing, developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining software applications.
It provides a framework for development teams to ensure high-quality, efficient software development that meets customer needs. The SDLC encompasses the entire lifecycle of a software project, from initial concept to ongoing maintenance.
Why are Software Development Life Cycle Requirements Produced?
Before introducing this concept, many loopholes affected the development process. This made it difficult to develop software that actually met the needs of users.
In traditional development, completing goals needs too much time. The project manager and team failed to deliver the projects within the agreed-upon timeframe.
Developers frequently add and remove features throughout the software development life cycle. This results in delays, budget burns, and bug-contained software. Without proper testing, bugs, errors, and vulnerabilities often slip through the cracks and end up in the final software.
One of the biggest cons of not adopting SDLC is the communication gap. Without any pre-defined communication plan, the team of developers and stakeholders facing the issues. This results in misleading that affects the overall product’s features.
When developers don’t fully grasp what the client needs it’s harmful. The final product might not meet expectations because everyone wasn’t on the same page from the start.
After developing the software, developers were unable to maintain it properly without any structured process. The challenges like fixing the bugs, adding new features, or adapting the software according to the changing requirements.
These issues could lead to project failures, wasted resources, and software that was not fit for core purpose. The SDLC came along to fix these issues. It’s like a step-by-step guide that helps keep software development on track, no matter what kind of program you’re building.
How Does Software Development Life Cycle Work?
Software Development Life Cycle works as a core element while minimizing the risks and costs. At the same time increasing the quality of development. The core intention of adopting SDLC is to shorten the production time and finalize the product.
The first stage is to understand the actual needs of the clients. It is very helpful to know how to develop software qualitatively. After that, the developer team analyzes the software features requirements and allot the timeframe for development.
The planning doesn’t stop once the coding begins! Even while figuring out the software’s details, developers are already thinking about how to make it user-friendly. They use well-established techniques to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for anyone using the software.
Testing the software is super important! It’s like giving your program a checkup to catch any glitches or bugs before it goes live. This way, you can fix any problems and make sure the software runs smoothly.
So, the final product will be free from bugs and other kinds of problems. Getting the expected result, the developed software is ready to roll and deploy on the servers and databases. The final stage of Software development is maintenance and considering growth.
For example, You want to develop BIM (Building Information Modeling) Software like Revit. You pick the best software development company from the web and explain your actual requirements. The company will then share an SDLC roadmap with you. Think of it as a timeline that shows you how long it’ll take to build and launch your software on the web.
Now, let’s understand the 7 phases of the Software Development Life Cycle.
Software Development Life Cycle Phases
Here are the phases of SDLC that you should have to know before deciding on any software development. Whether it’s for a custom eCommerce web application clone or a Taxi Clone app like Uber or Ola.
1. Planning
The planning phase of the SDLC is the foundation for a successful software development project.
Imagine it as the architect drawing the blueprints before construction begins.
In this phase of quality Software Development, the team of developers obtains the defined goals and objectives. It includes what’s the core purpose of software and how it’s useful for users. Also, the software engineer has to know stakeholders and their needs. These stakeholders may be clients, users, developers, managers, and others.
This is necessary to create a software requirement specification document. This document works as a roadmap containing information like the cost prediction, and risk potential. It also defines the project schedule and timeline with resource allocation. So through that, you can get a better idea about software development easily.
Read More: Why Uber is Considered as the Best Taxi Mobile App in World
2. Requirements Analysis
After the planning phase, focusing on the requirements is the second phase in Software Development. In this phase, the software engineering team evaluates the actual needs of the project. Through interviews, workshops, and document reviews, the developer team gathers a clear picture of the software’s functionalities.
They discuss the functionality with stakeholders. For example, the client needs to add face and thumb recognition in the UPI app just like a Google Pay app.
Skipping this step can lead to a final product that misses the mark. As a result, the software can’t get its ROI and popularity as expected. So, considering the stakeholder’s every need helps the software engineers to reduce the time for too many modifications. To complete the project within a timeframe this phase is very crucial.
3. Design
The design phase is a pivotal stage in the SDLC. It transforms the raw requirements captured in the previous phase into a detailed technical blueprint.
This blueprint consists of two crucial components: the software’s architecture, and user interface (UI). The software architecture defines its internal structure and functionalities. The UI design is the point of interaction for end users.
Here, using icons, graphics, and visual elements is very important for making the software useful and interactive. This phase actively combines user-centricity with modern functionality. It reduces the too much dependency on programming languages and frameworks.
The design process allows you to visualize exactly how the software will look and function in reality. It clears the way for quick and quality development.
4. Development (Coding & Implementation)
In the SDLC, the development phase is like a sculptor transforming a lump of clay into a masterpiece. Developers are like artists with special tools that write code. They use this code, like tiny building blocks, to bring the software design to life! They are aware of the technologies, frameworks, and programming languages used in development.
Unlike traditional sculpting, however, the SDLC development process is more like building a complex Lego set. The development team breaks down the project into smaller, more manageable modules, focusing on individual features or functionalities.
The developers take each piece of the project (called a module) and code it to life. Then, they double-check each module to make sure it works as planned. Finally, they carefully put all the pieces together, like building with Legos, to create the complete software.
This way, everything works smoothly together! The beauty of the SDLC approach is its iterative nature.
It’s like the developers are constantly shaping and refining the software. Making sure it not only works well but also looks and feels great to use. In the end, they’re not just building software, they’re creating a digital masterpiece!
Read More: Why Do You Need a Custom Mobile App for eCommerce Business
5. Testing
Imagine manufacturing a brand new car but never taking it for a test drive! That’s what software development would be like without testing. Just like you wouldn’t drive a new car off the lot without a test drive, software needs testing too! This makes sure everything works perfectly before it goes live on the web.
A team of software testers rigorously tests the functionality and user experience. They use various techniques to identify any bugs, glitches, or areas where the software might not be user-friendly. This problem-solving testing is vital for the success of any software project.
By catching and fixing problems early on, you avoid bigger issues down the line.
Think of it like this: better to find a loose screw during testing than have the whole wheel fall off after launch!
Thus, the more you test your software, the better it gets! This way, you can be sure it will work great for your users, making it a success story.
6. Deployment
The development team carefully delivers the finished software to its intended production environment in the final step of deployment. Note that after getting the green signal from the team of software testers the product is ready to roll on the web. This final step can involve launching the software on a website or making it available in app stores. Also, it includes installing it directly on specific computers.
Deployment involves more than just a simple transfer though. Deployment isn’t just about moving the software. It also involves things like setting up the right settings and controlling who can use it. That makes sure everyone has a positive experience from the start.
Imagine baking a delicious cake! You’ve wisely planned, mixed, and baked it to perfection. But you have to wait to reveal it. That’s kind of where deployment comes in during software development.
A successful deployment is like taking that perfect cake out of the oven. Placing it on a beautiful stand for everyone to enjoy. It’s the final step that makes all the hard work pay off and brings the software to life for its end users.
7. Maintenance
The SDLC might seem like a one-way trip from conception to launch, but software is a dynamic entity. Even the most polished software requires maintenance throughout its lifecycle.
Here are the key reasons for it.
- Software Evolves:
The tech world is ever-evolving and its effect reflects on the programming languages, frameworks, and operating systems. So, the development team needs to stay aware of these changes. Maintenance ensures compatibility with these evolving technologies, preventing conflicts that could hinder performance.
- Adapting to Needs:
User interaction with the software may reveal new requirements, or unforeseen bugs may be discovered. Maintenance allows software engineers to address these issues, keeping the software relevant and functional.
- Security is Continuous:
New security threats appear all the time from the banking industry to eCommerce stores. Regular maintenance involves implementing security patches to safeguard the software from sensitivity and cyberattacks.
Even though the software is properly built, the development team may need to adjust or replace components over time. Ongoing maintenance in the SDLC ensures the software continues to operate smoothly, and fulfills its purpose for users. It remains secure in a dynamic technological environment.
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How Bitrix Infotech Can Help In Software Development Through SDLC Methodology?
Here are some key points that Bitrix Infotech help you with the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle):
Early and Continuous User Engagement:
- User Research
We actively involve users throughout the SDLC, starting with user research in the planning phase. After your permission, we conduct interviews, surveys, and usability testing to understand user needs, pain points, and expectations. This allows us to tailor the software features and functionalities to resonate with them.
- User Personas
We develop user personas that represent your target audience. These personas act as a reference point throughout development. That ensures the software addresses the specific needs of your ideal users.
- User Feedback Integration
We integrate user feedback mechanisms throughout the design and development phases. This can be through user testing sessions, A/B testing different design elements, or implementing feedback forms.
We listen closely to what users say and use their ideas to improve the software. This way, it keeps getting better and better to meet the needs of the people who will actually use it.
Transparency and Communication:
- Project Roadmap Sharing
We are considering sharing a simplified version of the project roadmap with your users. Sharing a roadmap can get people excited about the launch without any surprises. They’ll know what to expect and when to expect it!
- Progress Updates
In our software development service, we provide regular, bite-sized updates about the software development progress. We will let you know through blog posts, social media updates, or dedicated communication channels. Keeping users informed fosters a sense of community and demonstrates your commitment to their needs.
- Focus on User Benefits
When communicating with users, emphasize how the software will solve their problems or improve their experience. We keep in mind this aspect. We Focus on the user benefits and value proposition of the software to capture their attention.
Building User Excitement:
- Interactive Prototypes
We develop interactive prototypes at key stages of the design phase. This allows users to experience a preliminary version of the software and provide early feedback. Interactive prototypes can be particularly effective in generating user excitement and buy-in for the final product.
- Early Access Programs
We believe in quality and considering it, we offer early access programs to a limited group of enthusiastic users. This allows them to experience the software before its full release and provide valuable feedback. Early access programs create a sense of exclusivity and can generate positive buzz for the software.
- Community Building
Create a community around your software through forums, social media groups, or other platforms. This allows users to connect with each other, share feedback, and contribute to the software’s development. A strong user community can significantly increase user attention and engagement with the software.
We involve users throughout the development process, we can keep them interested, and excited. We make sure the software is exactly what they need in the end.
Read More: How to Develop iOS Game — Know the Key Facts Before Committing to Development
Conclusion
Software Development Methodology is a great way to create the software within a time frame. Also, it’s an ideal option to develop software with high-level performance while keeping the focus on quality. The 7 phases of SDLC aren’t about the steps but it guides software engineers on how the ideas will transform into reality.
Bitrix Infotech can bring the complete solution in software development. Whether you need an eCommerce mobile app to attract an international audience or like to represent your banking services in a meaningful way, we have every option in our services.
For more queries please contact us and we will get back to you with an offer that is exclusively dedicated to you.
