System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
The system development life cycle (SDLC) is a conceptual model used in project management that describe the stages involved in an information system development project from an initial feasibility study through maintenance of the completed application.
A System
The term system is originated from the Greek term systema, which means to "Place together". It can be defined as a set of interrelated components having a clearly defined boundary that work together to achieve a common set of objectives.
Systems are created to solve problems. Nowadays, systems are so big and complex that teams of architects, analysts, programmers, testers and user must work together to create the million of lines of custom-written code that drive our enterprises.To manage this, a number of system development life cycle (SDLC) model have been created.
A system can be developed by applying a set of method, procedure and routines in a proper sequences to carry out some specific task. When all these functions are applied to build software then the system will be called as a software system.
SDLC and its Importance
System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a step wise process of creating computer systems. It is also known as information system development or application development. It is a conceptual model which represents the necessary steps used for the developed process of a software system.
The SDLC is a problem-solving process through which a series of steps helps to produce a new computer information system. The entire steps conducted in a sequence should provide the answer to a problem or opportunity. This step-wise procedure to build a system has a lot of importance.
Importance of SDLC
The following points summarize the importance of the use of SDLC.
- SDLC is important because it breaks down the entire life cycle of software development into phases thus making it easier for the development team members to easily evaluate each part of software development.
- SDLC makes it easier for programming to work concurrently on each phase.
- It provides a rough time estimate that when the software will be available for use.
- It delivers quality software which meet or exceed customer expectations.
- It provides the basic framework for the developing of quality software.
- SDLC helps the project managers to establish a project management structure to be followed strictly during the system development.
- SDLC clearly defines and assigns the roles and responsibilities of all the involved parties.
- It ensure that the requirement for the development of the software system are will defined and subsequently satisfied.
