3.1 SDLC Objectives
Meaning of SDLC
The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured framework used to guide:
System developers
Project managers
Analysts
System owners/users
in developing and managing information systems effectively.
Main Objectives of SDLC
SDLC is designed to:
Reduce project failure risk
Consider system and data needs throughout system life
Identify technical and management problems early
Reveal total life-cycle costs for better decisions
Create realistic expectations about system capabilities
Balance technical, management, and cost factors
Encourage periodic system evaluation
Monitor project progress and status
Support resource and budget planning
Meet both current and future business requirements
3.2 Purpose, Scope and Applicability
3.2.1 Purpose
SDLC provides procedures and guidelines for:
System initiation
Planning
Requirements analysis
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Maintenance
System disposal
It ensures MIS systems are developed according to organizational policies.
3.2.2 Scope
SDLC applies to:
All organizational information systems
In-house and outsourced projects
All IT environments (mainframe, client-server, etc.)
The process can be tailored depending on:
3.2.3 Applicability
Used by:
Purpose:
✔ Ensure systems meet requirements
✔ Support organizational goals
✔ Provide structured IT project management.
3.3 Key Principles of SDLC
These are the foundations of successful system development.
Life Cycle Management
Provides a structured approach to:
Development
Maintenance
Operation of systems
Allows flexibility based on project needs.
Integrated Product Team (IPT)
A multidisciplinary team supporting the project manager.
Benefits:
Program Sponsor Requirement
Every project must have a sponsor who:
Single Project Manager
Responsible for:
Comprehensive Project Management Plan
Defines:
Scope
Tasks
Schedule
Resources
Project relationships
Acts as the roadmap of the project.
Assignment of Key Roles
Important roles include:
Quality assurance
Security management
Database administration
Financial management
Testing and evaluation.
Skilled Personnel Participation
Human expertise is the most critical success factor.
SDLC supports skills — it does not replace them.
Proper Documentation
All decisions and activities must be documented to:
Data Management Throughout Lifecycle
Data is treated as a valuable organizational asset.
Focus on:
Data quality
Data sharing
Proper data definition.
Formal System Acceptance
After implementation:
Oversight Consultation
Project teams work with regulatory and oversight bodies early to avoid problems.
Resource Assurance
Projects continue only if required resources are guaranteed.
3.4 SDLC Phases
SDLC consists of several phases (often about 10), including:
Initiation
Concept development
Planning
Requirements analysis
System design
Development
Integration & testing
Implementation
Operations & maintenance
Disposition (system retirement)
Phases may:
Overlap
Combine
Run iteratively depending on project size.
SDLC PHASES (System Development Life Cycle)
SDLC divides system development into logical phases to ensure a system is properly planned, built, tested, and maintained.
System Concept Development Phase
This is the idea and feasibility stage.
Main Activities:
Business need is approved.
Possible system solutions are evaluated.
Feasibility and suitability are checked.
System scope is defined.
Planning Phase
The system concept is expanded into a detailed project plan.
Activities:
Define how the business will operate after implementation.
Identify project resources and schedules.
Define tools, activities, and reviews.
Assess privacy impacts.
Begin security planning.
Conduct high-level vulnerability assessment.
Goal: Deliver system on time and within budget.
Requirements Analysis Phase
User needs are formally defined.
Requirements include:
Requirements must be:
Design Phase
System structure is created.
Activities:
Define operating environment.
Identify subsystems.
Specify inputs and outputs.
Prepare detailed system architecture.
Develop module logic specifications.
Users review and approve designs.
Development Phase
Design is converted into a real system.
Activities:
Software coding
Hardware setup
Unit testing
Integration testing
Hardware testing
Result:
Executable software and working hardware.
Integration and Test Phase
All system components are combined and tested.
Activities:
System integration
Functional testing by users
Certification and accreditation
Verification that requirements are met.
Implementation Phase
System goes live.
Activities:
Phase ends when system runs successfully according to user needs.
Operations and Maintenance Phase
Longest phase of SDLC.
Activities:
Disposition Phase
System retirement stage.
Activities:
3.5 Documentation in SDLC
Documentation is required throughout the lifecycle.
Purpose:
Key Points:
Some documents remain unchanged.
Some evolve during later phases.
All documents stored in project files.
Electronic records must follow retention policies.
3.6 SDLC MODELS
Different organizations use different development approaches.
Waterfall Model
Easy to manage
Hard to make changes later.
Rapid Application Development (RAD)
Focuses on speed.
Features:
Faster development.
Joint Application Development (JAD)
Users actively participate through workshops.
Improves user satisfaction and accuracy of requirements.
Prototyping Model
Helps users visualize system early.
Synchronize-and-Stabilize Model
Common in large software companies.
Spiral Model
Combination of:
Best for:
Large, complex, high-risk projects
