>> SDLC ( Software Development Life Cycle ) & Waterfall Methodology

SDLC - Software Development Life Cycle

SDLC is graphical representation of different stages/phases of a software development process.  The different stages are : Planning , Analysis , Design, Development , Testing, Implementation, Maintenance

Depending upon the nature of projects , the a SDLC might go through different phases . However, these are the main phases that almost all the software development projects go through.

Planning: It is the first step. Client first gets the idea and starts making plan for it.  Planning involves the feasibility analysis of the project including the cost, time, resources etc based on the inputs from the different departments , survey, past experiences. Highly skilled members are involved in this phase. Basically, they determine what they want at this phase. How they achieve is discussed later phases.

Analysis :  In this phase, the plan is further analyzed with the subject matter experts(SME) . They come up with a detail documentation and business logic  for the project.

Design:  In this phase , product architect are involved in proposing  different approaches. Based on the selection criteria, the best design is  picked. They come up with the technical approach about implementing the design.

Development : Developers are involved in this phase in which the design is converted to the codes.  The development is done selecting a suitable programming language, hardware, software. The end result is defect free product as expected by the client.

Testing : It is the most important phase. In this the developed product is testing using different testing approaches. If defects are found then they are reported and are fixed. In this phase all the issues that might be existing in the product are captured and reported which are fixed to make the defect free product , meeting the expected standard.

Deployment:  The product at this phase is deployed to the real market(called going live). At first the deployment might be limited only however, based on the feedback and adjustment, they are fully released to the market.

Maintenance and Support: This  is maintaining and monitoring of the software performance and customer feed back . If any issue or defects are noticed, they should be rapidly and properly addressed. This phase is also to know if any improvements in the product is required. They maintain and support the application to keep it functional.


Waterfall Methodology:

In software development, two most common methodologies are : Waterfall and Agile. Agile methodology has been discussed in different chapter (click here to go to Agile Methodology).

In waterfall methodology, above mentioned software development phases(SDLC phases) occurs phasewise ie second phase starts after first phase is completed and third phase starts after completion of second phase and so on.