Businesses follow a specific process to create a functioning, robust software, known as SDLC(software development life cycle). This is a production guideline for the engineers to deliver functional, and reliable software.
SDLC helps the team to break down the long and complex processes into smaller and manageable steps. This helps to avoid any wrong input or skipping the critical step. The SDLC helps you develop a better final product — software that works correctly.
It is a combination of various stages such as planning, analysis, design process, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
Further, we’ll take you through the various stages of the SDLC, and explain different models. Let’s begin by explaining the SDLC.
A streamlined and well-structured framework for planning, analysis, design, building, testing, deployment, and maintenance stages ensures the development is systematic and meets the quality standards in SDLC.
By following a systematic approach, development teams can minimize risks, maximize resources, and deliver software aligned with business objectives– all within a reasonable timeframe.
In this process, various stages are lined up, each with special ability to complete the task and contribute to the successful development of the software. The main stages include planning, building, testing, and deployment. Each stage is important to develop the software that fulfills the user’s needs and is delivered on time.
The planning stage is the base for any successful software development project. User needs, goals, and objectives are combined and documented in this phase.
The requirements can differ as per the customer feedback or the market trends to stay relevant and get an evaluation for product options.
It involves owners, product managers, and other stakeholders who state the scope of the project, set timelines, and allocate resources. Planning navigates the project so that all the involved teams know what needs to be done.
In the feasibility stage, the team moves forward once the planning stage is completed and starts evaluating the technical requirements for the project estimates costs, and also performs risk analysis.
The team needs to ensure that the project is viable technically and financially. Risk analysis helps the team to understand and make a decision, whether the project is worth pursuing with all the potential challenges.
The system design stage is all about developing the software’s architecture and design.
According to the user requirements, and market research obtained in the planning stage, the team develops a blueprint detailing how the software will work.
This navigates high-level architecture and in-depth design specifications, such as user interface design to make the software user-friendly.
The development phase, or the implementation phase, takes the design and converts it into a working application. It is here where coders do their magic.
The code is written by developers based on the design specifications using valued practices and coding standards so that the outcome will be efficient, secure, and easy to maintain.
Testing is one of the important parts of this software development life cycle. It helps to identify bugs and other issues that can prove to be hurdles for a smooth experience for the users before it is deployed.
There are various testing methods to do such an evaluation, such as automation testing, API testing, system testing, and others.
It makes sure that the usability and performance issues are revealed and solutions are provided for the same.
Once the software testing is completed in-house, the software is rolled out to small numbers of real-world users.
It is usually in beta-testing mode or pilot release, the deployment may be on-premise or in the cloud depending on the requirement of the project.
This deployment strategy is basically to understand how easy it is for users to access and utilize the software.
In the final stage, once the software is released, maintenance comes into place.
The software needs regular updates and continuous support to fix bugs and add new features to the software.
Regular maintenance helps the software to run smoothly and remains relevant in the long term with all the updates.
There are more than 50 recognized models for SDLC in use. All of them have a few pros and cons, none is perfect. We will see the 5 most favorable SDLC models:
This model is not in practice anymore, but it is considered to be the fundamental model and basis for all other SDLC models.
This is one of the most simplistic models of all. The model is easier to apply and provides a tangible outcome.
In the waterfall model, once the stage is completed, no more changes can be made. Because of the lack of a flexible nature, the waterfall model is not in practice anymore.
This model in SDLC was initially created to accommodate changing requests with speed. The main goal of the Agile model is to allow rapid completion of projects.
The agile model is a set of development processes. These processes share a few common characteristics but also have some differences between them.
In this model of SDLC, every iteration sets a half-done but deployable version; every iteration lays some requirements for the software, and the last iteration provides the software with the entire requirement specification.
The spiral model is one of the key SDLC models that offer support for risk management.
It carries different spirals in its graphical representation; the number of spirals differs as per the project. Every loop in the spiral structure shows the stages of the Spiral model.
The V-shaped model in SDLC is executed sequentially in V-shape. Each stage of this model is combined with a testing stage.
With every developing stage, there is a testing phase, and the next stage will start once the preceding stage is completed, i.e., development & testing. It is also known as a verification or validation model.
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a process that guarantees agility, flexibility, efficiency, quality, and reliability in software development.
By keeping up with well-delineated phases, whether from planning and analysis to deployment and maintenance, tech teams can process more efficiently, reduce risks, and set high-quality software that fulfills business and user feedback.
Getting the appropriate SDLC model is important, as every project sets unique requirements, challenges, and outcomes.
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What are functional and non-functional requirements in SDLC?
What role does DevOps play in the SDLC?
DevOps integrates development (Dev) and operations (Ops) to enable continuous integration, delivery, and deployment (CI/CD). It automates testing, monitoring, and deployment to accelerate development while ensuring stability and efficiency.
What is the difference between black-box and white-box testing in SDLC?
How does SDLC ensure software security?
Security is integrated into SDLC through Secure SDLC (SSDLC) practices such as:
What is the role of API integration in modern SDLC?
APIs enable seamless data exchange between applications. In SDLC, API development follows:
How does IT Idol Technologies ensure high-quality software development?
At IT Idol Technologies, we follow industry best practices in SDLC, including:
Also Read: Why Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) is Crucial for Software Success
Parth Inamdar is a Content Writer at IT IDOL Technologies, specializing in AI, ML, data engineering, and digital product development. With 5+ years in tech content, he turns complex systems into clear, actionable insights. At ITIDOL, he also contributes to content strategy—aligning narratives with business goals and emerging trends. Off the clock, he enjoys exploring prompt engineering and systems design.
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