A software development life cycle model is a pictorial representation of the software life cycle. This model identifies all the methods needed to make a software product move through its life cycle phases. Moreover, from its start to retirement, a life cycle model maps the several activities performed on a software product. Different life cycle models may plan the necessary development activities into phases in various ways. More than one activity can be possible, during any life cycle stage.
Need for Software Development Life Cycle
For a particular plan, the development team must analyze a suitable life cycle model and then observe it. Moreover, the development of a software product would not be done in a systematic and disciplined manner if a required life cycle model is not used. When a team is developing a software product, there must be a crystal clear understanding among team representatives about the project’s requirements, when, and what to do. Otherwise, it could point to chaos and project failure.
A software life cycle model defines entry and exit criteria for each phase. A phase can be initiated only if its stage-entry criteria have been fulfilled. So, it is quite difficult to analyze the entry and exit criteria for a stage without a software life cycle model. Without software life cycle models, it becomes very complex for software project managers to monitor the progress of the project
The stages of the Software Development Life Cycle are as follows:
Stage 1: Planning and requirement analysis
SDLC’s most important and necessary stage is the planning and requirement Analysis. All the stakeholders and domain experts or SMEs in the industry give the inputs to perform this stage. At this stage, plan for the quality assurance requirements and identify the risks that can occur with the projects.
To gather all the data, the business analyst and Project organizer met with the client. A core understanding or knowledge of the product is very important before developing any product.
Stage 2: Defining Requirements
The next stage is to represent and document the software requirements and let the project stakeholders accept them. Software Requirement Specification – “SRS” is a document that has all the product requirements. It contains all the information and steps to get the final product at end of the project life cycle.
Stage 3: Designing the Software
The next phase is to bring down all the knowledge of analysis, requirements, and design of the project. This phase is the output of the last two, like instructions from the customer and requirement gathering.
Stage 4: Developing the project
In this stage, the actual development and the programming begin. The implementation of design starts concerning writing code. The management defines the coding instructions and programming tools like compilers, interpreters, debuggers, etc. and coders have to follow them to develop and implement coding.
Stage 5: Testing
In this stage, the code is tested against the requirements. This is done to ensure that the products are solving the requirements addressed and gathered during the requirements stage. Unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing are carried out during this stage.
Stage 6: Deployment
Once the software gets approval, and there are no bugs or errors, then it is ready to deploy. After that, as per the requirements, the software will be released as it is or with suggested updates in the object segment. After this stage maintenance stage begins.
Stage 7: Maintenance
When the client starts using the final product, then real issues arrive. And from time to time requirements are to be solved.
Software Development Life Cycle Models
Once when the client starts using the final product, then the real issues come up. The developers solve these issues from time to time as per the requirements. There are several software development life cycle models that developers use during the software development process and these models are “Software Development Process Models”. To ensure success in the process of software development, each process model follows a sequence, and that is unique to its type.
A few important SDLC models followed in the industry are: −
- Waterfall Model
- Iterative Model
- Spiral Model
- V-Model
- Big Bang Model
There are some other related software development life cycle models are Agile Model, RAD Model, Rapid Application Development, and Prototyping Models.
Why TCI?
TCI has a team of experienced and certified MuleSoft and Salesforce developers. TCI focuses on taking away the pain points of the clients. So that they can be able to focus more on the productivity of their organization. We have expertise in micromanaging and handling different working time zone headaches. TCI’s values stand apart from the world. Besides career growth, it offers a balanced life, which not only help the employees in their work but also in their personal life.
