What Is The Software Development Life Cycle? SDLC Explained

Developing custom software involves complex processes to ensure that the core architecture, user interface, and other elements perform to the highest standards.

This is accomplished through the software development life cycle, which breaks the development process into stages and allows rigorous testing and iterations for improvements.

Continue reading for a complete overview of the software development life cycle and the various development process models developers use to meet client expectations.

What Is The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

The software development life cycle is the process of designing, building, testing, and launching high-quality software that delivers the various outcomes businesses require.

A cost-effective method that optimizes the workflow to maximize efficiency, it incorporates robust planning and consultation to ensure projects meet the client’s expectations.

SDLC models can outline clear milestones and assign and complete tasks by comprehensively planning the entire software development process.

Applicable for in-house and outsourced software development, it produces an iterative process in the production environment that allows for adaptive and rigorous development.

How Does the SDLC Work?

The software development life cycle is a core aspect of custom software development, defining a clear progression of tasks to identify project risks and ensure system performance is optimized.

After formulating a clear plan, the SDLC aims to identify and remove any potential obstacles to the development process early on by clearly defining the software’s requirements.

This analysis is followed by an extensive design phase that informs the subsequent development process and determines which software engineering specialists are required.

The team collaborates with the client throughout the development process to incorporate new features as required, anticipating roadblocks to minimize redundant reworking.

Security assurance activities are then performed to protect the end user’s privacy, and a rigorous testing phase clears the application of bugs and optimizes the user experience.

Once the software has been launched, the final stage of the SDLC is initiated. This stage provides maintenance and support and updates the software with new features.

Why Is The SDLC Important?

Custom software development is a comprehensive approach to creating software and applications that streamline internal workflows and help businesses meet customer expectations.

The software development life cycle brings a range of benefits to this process, including:

• Optimal visibility and involvement of clients and stakeholders in the software development process.
• Robust planning, implementation, and ongoing assessment of the software’s performance.
• Cost-saving processes that address risks without projects running over budget.
• Comprehensive security assessments that draw on internal and external experts.

Software development teams widely use the SDLC, which represents one of many benefits of outsourcing software compared to in-house and off-the-shelf options.

Explore all custom software services from MyDevTeam.

The 7 Stages Of The Software Development Life Cycle

Now that we’ve covered the core definition of the software development life cycle, it’s time to break down how it’s applied to complex projects to achieve the best results.

Here are the key phases of the software development life cycle, from the early planning phase to the steps taken by developers to ensure a successful launch:

Phase 1: Planning

The custom software development process begins with the planning phase, through which clients and the development team work closely to outline the project’s core goals.

To outline the core milestones, a far-reaching analysis of the software’s functionality and how this will impact the project’s requirements is conducted.

Developers and clients collaborate on defining the ideal end user, including their key expectations and familiarity with the software or application’s aims.

Focus groups, questionnaires, and surveys also complement additional conversations between developers and stakeholders.

The planning phase is also used to determine the tools required for development and the feasibility of implementing and delivering the application on time and within the budget.

Phase 2: Design

Once the previous phase has been completed, the software development team begins working on the design phase, providing complete documentation.

Software architectural blueprints are created in line with key software development trends, with data flow diagrams and simulations to predict the software’s behavior.

Decision trees and decision tables are also used in the design phase to articulate complex relationships between various software elements.

The team then uses these design aspects to construct a series of simulations that allow programmers to predict how the software will perform and address bottlenecks.

This detailed visualization is then refined based on client feedback, with new features added when requested to improve the software’s overall functionality.

Phase 3: Development

When the final design has been approved, the team moves on to the development phase, writing the necessary code for the software to work as intended.

Software developers use processes such as version control to track changes and apply the application to a testing environment to review performance.

If necessary, the code is refactored to optimize its performance and make it easier for other team members to read and assess its place in the project.

All code used in the software is also added to detailed documentation to ensure transparency for clients and allow the project to be rolled back in an emergency.

Whether outsourcing Saas development or developing a smartphone application, the development phase follows a series of best practices to ensure efficiency and optimization.

Phase 4: Security

With data protection and privacy a growing concern for businesses, the software development life cycle is designed to address these concerns with reliable solutions.

This is accomplished by incorporating aspects of secure SDLC into the life cycle, scanning system performance for vulnerabilities, and performing extensive code reviews.

Developers dedicate time to conducting security assessments throughout various SDLC phases to monitor the software’s compliance with up-to-date security measures continuously.

Phase 5: Testing

While the SDLC process includes ongoing testing during the development phase, the testing phase also includes more extensive performance analysis and bug identification.

In addition to security testing, this phase identifies and fixes all flaws and other issues, both from a technical perspective and to improve the user experience.

Complete system and integration testing are performed using manual and automated testing methodologies to cover all software architecture aspects.

Additional software testing with AI tools is also utilized to streamline system performance analysis and optimize this phase of the development cycle.

Phase 6: Deployment

Once robust system testing has been completed, it’s time to enter the SDLC’s deployment phase and launch the software to its intended user base.

During this phase, the code is committed to a software repository, and automation tools are initiated to trigger a series of tests once the software is live.

After being made available to users, the software development team assesses it closely to verify its performance and continuously monitors for issues that need resolving.

If offshore custom development has been used for software delivered to a global market, the team provides around-the-clock observation during this critical phase.

Phase 7: Maintenance

The final phase of the software development life cycle is the maintenance phase, which begins the moment the software is launched and continues indefinitely.

A core feature of sustained software engineering and the reimagining of its evolution, it serves various purposes depending on the scope and complexity of the project.

On a technical level, the maintenance phase covers identifying bugs and other newly introduced issues that need to be resolved to optimize performance.

Maintaining software also means understanding how users interact with the software once it’s live and refining elements such as the user interface to address any concerns.

Additional training and documentation for users can then be drafted to ensure they fully understand how it works and upgrade their systems when necessary.

Further reading: A beginner’s guide to custom software development.

Most Common SDLC Models

Depending on the application’s nature, the development team will select a software development life cycle model that best suits the system design and intended user base.

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular SDLC models used in the software industry to keep projects on the right track throughout each phase of the development process.

1. Waterfall Model

The Waterfall model of the software development life cycle is one of the industry’s most established and straightforward approaches.

It addresses each phase in turn and is applicable for projects where the requirements and outcomes are evident from the outset to allow phases to be clearly defined.

2. Agile Model

Adopting a combination of incremental and iterative development, the Agile model is built around the principle of fast failure, allowing issues to be addressed early on.

It’s one of the most common software development models because its highly adaptable framework helps projects evolve.

3. Iterative Model

The iterative model is an approach that sees the development team building the software by focusing on each stage sequentially and testing elements before moving to the next phase.

This iterative process is suitable for large projects and helps developers meet the changing requirements of clients who want to oversee every project phase.

4. V-Shaped Model

Like the waterfall SDLC model, the V-shaped model incorporates testing throughout each development phase before the following phase begins.

By frequently conducting testing, development can align with stakeholders’ expectations to validate that requirements have been satisfactorily met.

5. Spiral Model

The spiral model is optimal for highly specialized and complex projects because it emphasizes risk analysis through the ongoing repetition of multiple phases.

Mitigating risks is at the core of each phase, which involves continuously monitoring performance and providing ongoing feedback to ensure the project meets customer expectations.

SDLC Best Practices

Custom software developers use the software development life cycle to manage various projects, adhering to industry best practices to streamline the process at all stages.

Here are some examples of the best practices adopted to help keep projects on track and minimize disruptions and errors:

• Conducting a far-reaching formalized requirement analysis to ensure the software development life cycle is built on a durable foundation.
• Gathering ongoing feedback from clients and desired end users to ensure the features implemented fully meet expectations.
• Comprehensive contingency planning allowing the development team to be prepared for unexpected issues and resolve them promptly.
• Breaking down silos to deliver clear communication so code reviews and other vital processes for development can be standardized.

Choosing to outsource software development also incorporated detailed documentation of all processes, allowing clients to review these best practices for their projects.

How To Choose An SDLC Model

There are several software development life cycle models, and knowing which is best for a particular application project can be confusing.

Let’s break down how to choose the most appropriate software development life cycle model for a project and ensure it delivers an optimal workflow for your project:

• Clarity of the project’s requirements: Projects with clearly understood goals often use the Waterfall model to develop in line with traditional software development. Alternatively, evolving projects with unclear requirements typically use the agile or iterative model to allow for flexibility.
• Degree of client collaboration: The iterative and agile SDLC models are also commonly used when clients are heavily involved in the production pipeline and ongoing feedback is required. The Waterfall model is most often used for projects with limited customer involvement.
• Understanding of project risks: Software development teams adopt spiral, agile, and iterative models for projects with potential risks and challenges, with the Waterfall model the preferred choice for low-risk and predictable projects.
• SDLC time constraints: If software needs to be delivered by a tight deadline, developers will adopt the streamlined Waterfall model in the production environment. Those with flexible deadlines and leeway for new features can achieve these goals using either the iterative or agile model approach.

Depending on the model selected, custom software development costs may vary, influenced by the completion timeframe and the complexity of the work involved.

When consulting with a software development organization, their experts will assess the project’s requirements and select the most appropriate SDLC models for success.

Summary

Many businesses choose to develop high-quality software and applications to meet their company’s demands and streamline processes.

Reviewing the information in this guide will help to clarify how the software development life cycle works, allowing business owners to choose a developer that understands their priorities.

Whether investing in a small application or a large project, the software development life cycle approach ensures the final product meets the design document specification.