Why is the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Important?
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a systematic process that helps developers design top-tier software with ease.
Some examples of this process are the agile, spiral, iterative, big bang, and waterfall models.
According to Tammy Hawes (CEO of Virsys 12), the Agile model approach for the development of software releases is the best way to ensure ROI and user satisfaction.
Various large/small businesses and startups integrate these models into their software development.
But what is the software development life cycle in terms of technicality?
It is careful planning and analysis of software requirements to produce a high-quality product. And the systematic phases of this process ensure better results for all software projects.
Software Development Life Cycle Phases
1. Planning Requirement Analysis & Feasibility
The first phase involves information collection and analysis from the target audience and stakeholders to finalize the purpose of the product.
This phase sets a project goal and reveals any risks associated with the project.
Feasibility involves the analysis of factors like economic, technical, operation, schedule, and organization.
A thorough analysis provides a clear picture of the project’s overall feasibility from beginning to launch.
2. Design
The second phase of the system development life cycle focuses on the design of the product structure.
This phase gives everyone a basic visual idea of the product structure and necessary improvements. The design phase also involves a presentation to shareholders to get approval for the next step.
3. Coding
The actual software coding begins in the third phase of SDLC.
The development team analyzes the design idea with shareholder expectations and implements them in the project with software coding.
4. Testing
The project moves forward with the testing after the first version of the software is completed.
The developers and QA team test the software to detect and deal with any existing or potential bugs.
5. Launch
The fifth phase is launching the accepted version of the software. And make it available for all the customers.
6. Maintenance
The last phase involves regular updates and bug fixes of the software. It is essential to keep the software functional and convenient for the users.
Importance of SDLC
The software development process becomes more organized and effective with the system development life cycle.
But why is SDLC important? The best answer to that is the benefits of SDLC as they informatively display its importance.
1. Ease in Software Development
It provides a systematic framework to increase the effectiveness and ease of software application development.
2. Convenient Project Management
It provides a way to pre-plan and analyze the software requirements before the development begins.
It also provides a way to document the project development records as it happens. It proves helpful when a new member is about to join soon and start working on the same project.
Such members can move forward effortlessly with an abundance of documented information.
3. Cost-effective Software Development
The analysis phase helps estimate the cost accurately and prevent unnecessary spending.
Choosing a specific budget is also possible when you know all the financial and duration requirements of the project.
4. Delivery of Top-tier Product
Developers can design top-of-the-line software products due to the analysis and testing phase.
5. Delivery on Client Expectations
Creating an easy way to meet or exceed client expectations is one of the biggest reasons why a software development life cycle is important.
6. Timely Development & Delivery
This process helps ensure timely development and delivery of the software product.
The Developer’s Choice
The software development life cycle is the choice of many top software developers from all around the world. The process provides an informed, cost-effective, and lucrative approach to software development.
The success of modern software development projects becomes easily possible with such a process.
You can hire Ailoitte Technologies - a mobile app development company that understands and actively conducts the development process with the SDLC.