IT companies use the software development cycle on a daily basis. It helps to better manage the project and create effective IT systems within optimal time and budget. Learn about the different stages and models of the software life cycle.
How does the software development life cycle present itself?
The software development cycle helps to break down the project into its various phases. It includes stages such as concept development, requirements determination, design, software implementation, testing phase, application installation, production use and system enhancements.
Thanks to the approach used, users can understand the course of change and know the results of the work. In the era of digitization, traditional methods of technology creation and development are adapted to the needs of companies and its customers. Software lifecycle models are used to describe the process, taking into account technical, budgetary, personnel and system constraints for projects, developed on a large scale.
What does a well-defined software development lifecycle provide?
A well-defined software development cycle provides many advantages. First of all, it helps to organize the work and establish all the information. Among the key strengths of the information system development cycle are:
– To systematize knowledge and look at the project,
– Easier to set targets for closing each stage,
– Easier to establish a detailed work schedule,
– Ensure verification of objectives and results,
– basing costs on specific needs and capabilities,
– control over the course of work,
– Improving the quality of the final product.
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How to create a software development life cycle?
In order to create an efficient software development cycle, it is necessary to match the enterprise’s work style. The whole process must not be restrictive and too rigid so as not to block the potential of the project. It is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with software development cycle models and match the methodology to the needs of a particular implementation. It is important to take care of the analytical background, be consistent in your actions and allocate tasks accordingly.
Phases of the software development life cycle
The software development cycle is the process of creating an application that begins with the creation of an idea and ends with the launch of the product. For a project to succeed, each phase of the cycle should be brought to completion.
1. planning
The basis for software development is planning. It assumes the company’s strategic goals. In the first stage of the software development cycle, problems and ways to solve them are identified.
Also check out the article: An idea for an app
2. system analysis and requirements
In the second stage, specialists work to identify the source of errors and make changes. Software and requirements analysis involves determining how to meet the company’s needs. During the study, the roles of team members are also defined.
Also check out the article: Pre-implementation analysis
3. system design
Designing a system is nothing more than defining its specifications, operations and functions. In this phase, end users should detail their needs, and specialists should consider their technical capabilities.
Also check out the article: Application design: native or cross-platform?
UX/UI design: user experience design matters
4 Developing the system
During the development of technology, you need the involvement of programmers, who are responsible for doing the main work on the project. The system development phase is equivalent to the start of production.
5 Integration and testing
Integration and testing are carried out by a quality specialist. The fifth phase of the software development cycle helps answer the question of whether the application meets the business goals and initial objectives. Testing should be carried out until the end user accepts the software.
Also check out other articles on similar topics: Product backlog and user story
6. software implementation
Once most of the code is written, it’s time for deployment, which is the installation of the newly developed system. The implementation of the project should be followed by both end users and system analysts. Deployment is done via direct software connection.
7. maintenance
The final stage of software development is maintenance, that is, tuning the system and making the necessary updates. The changes, if any, are designed to make the software more efficient and add new functionality.
It is worth adding that benchmarks and milestones should be set after each completed stage. Among the assumptions should appear the start date, end date, project duration and budget. Monitoring performance and the degree to which goals are met is the responsibility of the manager.
Software lifecycle models
Software lifecycle models are critical to achieving the desired goal. In order to create the best quality software in a relatively short period of time and at the lowest cost, all steps must be meticulously planned. The development of the methodology and framework should be tailored to the type of work and specific needs. Here are the most popular software lifecycle models and their characteristics:
Waterfall Model (Waterfall Model)
It is an engineering process in which each successive phase is closed when it is completed. The waterfall model is a sequence of activities that are carried out from top to bottom, so they flow like water in a waterfall.
Model V
The V-shaped model is strongly similar to a waterfall. In this variant, each phase of the project is followed by testing of the solution, which represents the closure of a particular phase.
Prototyping model (Software prototyping)
In the prototype method, programmers create many programming methods to choose the best one. In a prototype model, they can try out methods before development and learn valuable lessons.
Rapid Application Developer model
The Rapid Application Developer, or RAD, method is a hybrid of the prototype model. It involves initial planning, creating simple prototypes and testing new solutions.
Spiral Model
The spiral model incorporates multiple phases of the project, which are graphically represented in the form of a spiral. The biggest advantage in this method is the flexibility to adapt the process to the project.
Agile Software Development methodology.
In agile methodologies, systems communicate work through an iterative process. Methods using agile approaches include Kanban and Scrum.
Summary
Companies developing information systems should operate on the basis of a software lifecycle model, which is an inventory of the various stages of project implementation. The included project phases start with the idea for the software and end with its development, through the introduction of new features and system upgrades.
If you are looking for a company that implements projects within a detailed plan, meet FutureCode IT Consulting. We help you meet your business goals by providing tailored technology for a variety of industries. Check out our offer to learn more!
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