The Software Development Life Cycle

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) refers to the creation of new software. In other words, it is precisely what the name suggests - the whole process of how a new piece of software is made.

While each company may have its own steps or processes when developing new software, it is relatively standard. This is because it is generally the fastest (and cheapest) process that still results in high-quality outcomes. Here are the basics of the Software Development Life Cycle.

Planning

As the title suggests, this is the part of the life cycle where all planning is handled. Planning generally encapsulates every step of the process, alongside predicted costs (of development), required team numbers, and other details.

Define Requirements

Next, it is time to define the requirements of the project. In other words, this is the time to outline what the software needs to accomplish. Alongside these elements, this step should include necessary resources for building, such as the need for any supporting software.

Design & Prototype

The design phase is essentially a rough outline phase. It’s where developers sit down to try and figure out how to accomplish the requirements. This step in the process is frequently shared with all involved parties in the project, including upper management and shareholders.

An additional step in the process is the prototyping phase, where an early version of the software may be developed. It’ll provide a basic idea of how it all works while not having all the bells and whistles. Additionally, there will have been little to no testing done by this point.

Software Development

Software development is the part of the process where the actual program development or writing is handled. This is the part where software developers will do the most coding, creating their software as needed. It is ideal for developers to leave notes (within the code) during this process while double-checking their work for errors.

Testing

Testing would be another critical step in the process, even if the developers did check for bugs during the previous step. Testing can help identify any potential issues before the program goes live. This step should ideally include security testing, testing within the intended environment, and testing with potential users.

Automation plays a heavy role in the testing process, as this is one of the best ways to ensure a quality product. Remember that the more thorough a test is, the less likely something will break after launch.

Deployment

Deployment is the step in which the new software can be made available. Depending on what the program is intended for, this may be a highly complex process. Or it may be as simple as making it available within a company. It all depends.

For example, releasing a program on the app store may require authorization and approval, depending on the carrier (Android vs. iPhone). This makes the process longer but will ultimately help ensure the highest quality software for users. A faster release example would be the release of software designed for internal use. This would mean that the only approval necessary would come from within, with the tech support already being updated on everything.

Maintenance

Some may think that deployment is the last step in the process, but that isn’t entirely accurate. Maintenance is an ongoing process, as sometimes programs need to be checked in on, updated, or managed as issues arise. Sometimes a bug or mistake gets missed that will have to be fixed after launch. Other updates may include security updates that need to be pushed through or accessibility features needing an adjustment.

User feedback becomes more critical during this final (and ongoing) step, as it may encourage changes here and there. Alternatively, it may help inform the next program created by the team.

Those are all the most common steps in the SDLC. As previously mentioned, there may be some variation depending on the needs of the product or company.