The software development procedures have undergone radical changes over the years. Involving analysts, architects, programmers, testers, and users to develop the software code, it is now able to deliver more advanced results. With different kinds of potential problems and pitfalls, software development is not a simple task. Thankfully, a custom software development plan can help you streamline the entire process and reduce the possibility of running into a range of complex issues.
What is System Development Life Cycle?
A system development life cycle (SDLC) is a project management model that defines the necessary stages to bring any project from its initial conception to its deployment and maintenance.
Seven main stages of the system development life cycle are discussed below:
- Planning
It is one of the most essential stages of any software development procedure. In this phase, the goals of the project are discussed and its feasibility is assessed. The development team structure is established during this phase, and the stakeholders get regular input along with feedback.
- Analysis & Requirements
The analysis and requirements phase is usually implemented alongside the planning phase in which the team leaders figure out the end goals of the development and discuss the hardware and software requirements accordingly. This also helps the team leader in deciding developers who will work on specific aspects of the design phase.
- Design
The design phase is quite similar to the planning phase. The team collaboratively works to design the layout of the software based on the research done in the previous phase. The developers know their final goal and work towards its success.
- Development
In the development phase, the developers write the code and develop the software application as per the outlined plan approved by the client. The software development process becomes fairly straightforward as the goals are defined clearly and the developers know which language they will be using. By being more careful in this phase, you will be able to avoid a lengthy testing stage and get your product in the market faster.
- 5. Testing
Testing is a critical phase, particularly if you want your product to be a success. Developers test every aspect of the developed product during this phase and make sure that it works as per the expectations. One of the best ways to test software is by recreating the user’s environment and emulating its use by a potential end-point user.
- Deployment
This development phase is exactly what you would expect when you will release your software either in the market or to a specific client. Some important factors that top software development companies consider before fully developing software are price and integration methods.
- Maintenance
Once the completed product is released in the market, it is important to offer constant updates and maintenance. During the maintenance phase, the teams decide whether they would prefer to update the current software or develop a new suite if required.
Some Basic SDLC Models
- Waterfall Model
It is the classic method of software development. With the completion of each phase, the project moves to the next step. One advantage of this tried-and-tested Waterfall model is that each phase can be evaluated for feasibility and continuity before moving on.
- Agile Model
This model was specially designed by developers to put clients’ needs first. It focuses mainly on the user experience and input. This model makes the product highly responsive to customer feedback and also responds effectively to the changing market trends.
- Iterative Model
With the Iterative development model, developers can create an initial basic version of the software in no time. Then they can review and make improvements in the software in small steps. It can get your product up and functional quickly to meet your business need. This approach is quite useful for large applications.
- Spiral Model
Spiral models offer more flexibility in comparison to other methodologies. The product passes through four key phases again and again in a metaphorically spiral motion.
It’s beneficial for large projects since development teams can develop customized products easily by incorporating the received feedback in the life cycle.
- DevOps Model
Like Agile, the DevOps model also focuses on improving the usability and relevance of applications. One significant benefit of this model is the feedback received from actual users on the design and implementation steps.
- V-Model
The V-model is quite similar to the classic Waterfall model. Each development stage is incorporated with a testing phase to catch any potential defects.
- Big Bang Model
The Big Bang model of software development is very flexible and doesn’t follow any rigorous procedure. It is used to develop broad and uncertain product ideas where the custom software development company simply starts the project with money and resources.
With so many advantages, from saving software development costs to getting access to specialist software development services is more than worth it. Not only will you reduce your expenses, but it will also help you save valuable time to focus on your business’ growth. The outsourced team of software development companies will handle almost all your project development themselves so you will only need to manage the larger business decisions.
If you’re planning a large software development project in the future or just a small set of patches, consider hiring IMCS group, one of the best software development companies in the USA. With a legacy of more than 15 years, IMCS can cater to all your business needs, i.e. from remote and onsite support, management to enterprise solutions, software or application development, recruitment process outsourcing, and more.