Running Head System Development Life Cycle ✓ Solved
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The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a useful process used in developing software systems. It includes a series of steps that begin with the reflection of the problem at hand through to the implementation and maintenance process to ensure the system meets the expectations of end users. There are several models and methodologies developed to accomplish a successful system development.
The seven-step model follows a sequence beginning with a preliminary investigation, planning, design, development, testing, implementation, and finally maintenance.
The first step, the preliminary investigation, involves reflection on the problem at hand and the available alternatives to solving the problem. This step aims to understand the best alternative that can help solve the problem cost-effectively.
The planning step involves collecting data from users and stakeholders to identify end users and develop the system from their perspective, specifying user and system requirements.
The design phase transforms system requirements into technical design specifications to ease the development process, creating both logical and physical designs for databases and user interfaces.
During the development stage, coding of the system takes place, converting design specifications into a functioning system and including unit testing.
The testing phase checks the developed system for bugs and ensures it operates independently across various platforms before moving to implementation.
Implementation installs the error-free system and trains end users, discarding the old system under the supervision of the system analyst.
System maintenance entails ongoing support after implementation, addressing bugs, enhancing the system to meet new requirements, and providing technical support to users.
The Spiral SDLC model involves collaboration among stakeholders and incorporates a cyclic process of software engineering, with characteristics like anchor point milestones and a cyclic development process.
The phases consist of identifying user needs, risk analysis, building and testing the system, and evaluating if it meets user requirements.
Identifying and understanding user needs involves gathering data to understand features the system should embody and conducting feasibility studies to ensure resource availability and compliance with technology and legal requirements.
The risk analysis stage helps identify potential risks in system development to mitigate future costs and choose appropriate strategies for development.
Building and testing involve coding the system according to specifications and testing various modules for bugs, delivering a working system that meets user needs.
System evaluation allows customers to assess the developed system and provide feedback for further improvements.
Paper For Above Instructions
The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) serves as a structured framework that allows organizations to develop software in a systematic way. Each phase within the cycle contributes to a more organized and efficient approach, minimizing risks that can arise from poorly planned software development projects (Pressman, 2005).
Various models exist within the SDLC, with one of the most prominent being the seven-step model, which comprises preliminary investigation, planning, design, development, testing, implementation, and maintenance (Kumar et al., 2013).
The first step, the preliminary investigation, is critical as it lays the foundation for all subsequent stages. This phase seeks to analyze the system requirements and identify how best the problem can be addressed. It necessitates the gathering of information concerning the existing system and understanding the needs of the end users to identify functional requirements (Rastogi, 2015).
The second stage, planning, focuses on defining the project's scope and objectives, identifying necessary resources, and budgeting. This phase often involves collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that the project meets user needs. Planning also influences risk management strategies, establishing a roadmap that guides the development team throughout the lifecycle (Boehm & Hansen, 2001).
Design, the third phase in the seven-step model, converts system requirements into detailed specifications. This is where decisions regarding architecture, user experience (UX), and databases get made (Pressman, 2005). The goal is to ensure that developers have a clear blueprint from which to construct the application, minimizing ambiguities that can lead to project delays.
In the development phase, the actual coding takes place. Developers translate the design documentation into functional software by using programming languages and tools that align with the system's requirements. Additionally, unit testing is crucial at this stage to catch and resolve basic errors before further testing occurs (Mishra & Dubey, 2013).
Testing, the fifth step, plays a pivotal role in the SDLC by assessing the functionality of the software. This phase includes identifying any bugs or issues through rigorous testing protocols, ensuring that the application can handle expected loads and performs flawlessly across various operating environments (Rastogi, 2015).
The implementation phase marks the transition from development to operation. During this phase, the new system is installed and staff are trained to ensure they understand how to use the software effectively. This step is crucial as often, the success or failure of a system hinges on how users interact with it and their comfort level (Wolff, 1989).
Finally, the maintenance phase ensures that the system remains functional and up to date. Feedback from this stage often leads to future iterations of software, with enhancements and fixes being rolled out based on user needs and technological advancements (Kumar et al., 2013).
In addition to the seven-step model, organizations can also employ the Spiral SDLC model, which focuses on iterative development and risk assessment. This approach is especially beneficial for large, complex projects where requirements might evolve over time. The cyclical nature of the Spiral model allows for constant re-evaluation of user needs and preferences (Madachy et al., 2006).
The Spiral model consists of four significant phases: identifying and understanding user needs, risk analysis, building and testing, and evaluating the system (Bohem & Hansen, 2001). In the first phase, system analysts collect data to ensure that the system aligns with user expectations and business objectives. Following this, risk analysis helps identify potential challenges that could derail projects and mitigates costs associated with later-stage risk management.
Building and testing involve actual system construction in tandem with ongoing testing to discover any inconsistencies early on. The deliverable at this stage revolves around user requirements, ensuring that any developed feature meets the target audience's needs (Pressman, 2005).
Lastly, system evaluation ensures continuous improvement. This feedback loop is critical for refining the system based on user input and performance metrics, leading to enhanced satisfaction and system effectiveness (Kumar et al., 2013).
References
- Boehm, B. & Hansen, W. (2001). The spiral model as a tool for evolutionary acquisition.
- Kumar, N. et al. (2013). Evolving new software development life cycle model SDLC-2013. IJSCE , 3 (1).
- Madachy, R., et al. (2006). Spiral lifecycle increment modeling for new hybrid processes.
- Mishra, A. & Dubey, D. (2013). A comparative study of different software life cycle models in different scenarios. International journal of advanced research in Computer Science and management studies , 1 (5), 64.
- Pressman, S. (2005). Software engineering: A practitioner's approach, (6th Ed.), McGraw-Hill Higher Education: Boston.
- Rastogi, V. (2015). Software development life cycle model’s comparison, consequences. IJCSIT , 6 (1).
- Wolff, J. (1989). The management of risk in system development: Project SP and the New Spiral Model. Software Engineering Journal , 4 (3).
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