What is Software Development Life Cycle and SDLC Methodologies?

SDLC methodologies are the strategic processes and practices software development teams use to effectively run the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Rather than listing every obscure SDLC methodology out there, let’s clarify what SDLC methodologies really are. Many online articles provide a long list of methodologies, along with brief explanations to help you “choose” the right one for your project. While this may seem straightforward, it doesn’t reflect how Software Development Life Cycle methodologies are actually applied in professional software development.

Today, most legacy SDLC methodologies aren’t even part of university or bootcamp curricula, where the focus has shifted toward Agile system development like Scrum and Kanban. Although SDLC methodologies have evolved over time, classics like Waterfall are now largely obsolete, remembered mainly for their role in paving the way for Agile.

Currently, Agile dominates as the preferred SDLC methodology for professional software teams, with its frameworks, like Scrum and Kanban, extending its principles beyond software development itself. To understand the evolution of Software Development Life Cycle methodologies, it’s useful to view them chronologically. While many methodologies have been tried, only Agile and its frameworks have maintained relevance. In fact, we may now be in a “post-Agile” era.

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a method for managing software development. It divides the process into stages with specific deliverables and outcomes. This structure improves planning, aligns teams, and reduces the risks of missed deadlines or scope creep. SDLC sets clear objectives and expectations for all stakeholders. It reduces misunderstandings as development progresses by agreeing on software requirements and goals upfront.

SDLC enhances stakeholder visibility, providing a transparent view of the development process, enabling open communication, alignment of expectations, and reducing surprises.

SDLC improves planning and scheduling by accurately estimating resources, timelines, and costs, allowing project managers to allocate resources effectively and set realistic deadlines.

SDLC provides a clear roadmap for risk management and cost control, enabling early identification and resolution of potential issues and facilitating accurate cost estimation and budget planning.

The SDLC enhances software delivery consistency and quality by following defined processes, resulting in fewer defects, improved performance, and customer satisfaction.

SDLC is a structured software development approach that manages complexity, mitigates risks, and enhances team collaboration, ensuring high-quality software that aligns with business goals and stakeholder expectations.

The modern system development life cycle (SDLC) is organized into seven key stages, each playing a vital role in creating effective software. Here’s an overview:

1. Planning
2. Feasibility and Requirements Analysis
3. Design and Prototyping
4. Software Development
5. Testing
6. Implementation and Integration
7. Operations and Maintenance

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these stages.

Stage 1: Planning

The planning stage, sometimes called the feasibility stage, is where developers lay the foundation for the project. In this phase, they define the problem they aim to solve, assess any existing systems, and clarify the goals of the new system.

This stage is critical for identifying potential challenges early, ideally avoiding issues that could slow down development later. Planning also includes securing funding and resources, setting realistic objectives, and mapping out the project timeline.

The planning stage is often considered the most essential, as it sets the schedule for the entire project, a particularly important aspect when there’s a commercial deadline to meet.

Stage 2: Analysis

In the analysis stage, developers gather all the necessary details for the new system and start forming initial ideas for prototypes.

• Define specific requirements for the prototype system.
• Explore alternative solutions to existing prototypes.
• Conduct research and analysis to understand the needs and expectations of end-users.

A key output of this stage is the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) document, which outlines the system’s software, hardware, and network requirements. This detailed documentation helps ensure efficient resource allocation and minimizes the risk of overspending, especially when multiple development teams are working within the same organization.

Stage 3: Design

The design stage is a crucial step before developers begin the main development work. Here, the team creates a detailed blueprint for the application, covering elements such as:

1. User interfaces
2. System interfaces
3. Network setup and requirements
4. Databases

In this phase, developers transform the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) into a logical design structure that can later be translated into code. They also draft plans for operations, training, and maintenance, ensuring they have a clear roadmap for each stage of the development cycle.

Once the design is complete, development managers prepare a comprehensive design document, which serves as a key reference throughout the remaining phases of the SDLC.

Stage 4: Development

In the development stage, developers begin writing the actual code, building the application based on the design documents and specifications outlined in previous stages.

To ensure code quality and security, tools like Static Application Security Testing (SAST) are often used throughout this phase. Ideally, the planning and design work completed earlier helps make the coding process efficient and straightforward.

Developers rely on tools like compilers, debuggers, and interpreters while following the organization’s coding standards. They select appropriate programming languages, such as C++ or PHP, based on the project’s specific requirements and objectives.

Stage 5: Testing

After development, the software must go through rigorous testing to ensure it is free of bugs and offers a smooth experience for end users.

In this stage, developers carefully examine the software, identifying any bugs or issues that need to be tracked, fixed, and retested. The goal is to ensure the software meets the quality standards set out in the SRS document.

The length of the testing phase can vary widely. It depends on factors like the complexity of the software, the requirements for user experience, and the developers' expertise. For some projects, testing is brief, while for others, it’s a longer, more detailed process.

Stage 6: Implementation and Integration

Next, the software is integrated into its intended environment and installed. After this step, the software is considered ready for release and can be provided to end users or customers, marking its transition from development to real-world application.

Stage 7: Maintenance

The SDLC doesn’t stop once the software is released; it enters the maintenance stage, where developers address any issues reported by users.

In this stage, developers manage updates and make necessary adjustments to keep the software functioning smoothly. This may include fixing residual bugs that couldn’t be resolved before launch or addressing new issues identified by end users.

The length and intensity of maintenance can vary significantly. Larger, more complex systems often require ongoing support, while smaller systems may have a shorter maintenance phase.

Now we talk about the best top 7 types of software development methodologies that can help in your project. We discuss the detailed information for each methodology to help you choose the right one for your specific project needs.

The Waterfall life cycle model is one of the first Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies and it follows a linear, out-in-a-row strategy. In order to move to the next phase of the project, the current one must be finished. Each of the phases is then based on the information worked out in the previous.

Agile system development is a widely used method that is known for its quickness and flexibility. It consists of finishing tasks in short periods, mostly two weeks, which makes it possible for the software development team to perform the product testing and refining continuously, in this way, they can work on small and easy-to-handle increments. This repetition process commonly known as "fast failure" permits easy modification depending on the results of the testing and feedback, which is a huge plus for coping with changes. Agile is not only a methodology but also a mindset that can be applied to projects outside the software industry because it allows for frequent changes and adaptations.

One of the most flexible SDLC models is the spiral model, which is extensively used by the leading software companies to build highly customized products. This approach uses a design approach to the product where the team of developers in the project comes through four main phases: planning, risk analysis, engineering, and evaluation in repeated cycles until the project is complete.

The V-Model, also known as the Verification and Validation model, is a structured SDLC methodology resembling the Waterfall life cycle model, with a major distinction: testing is done at each stage of the development rather than only at the endpoint. In the V-Model, every stage starts only after the overhead stage has been completed.

The Iterative model is a software development model that traces the repetition of a process and stems from incremental development. Rather than defining all the transactional details at the start, development teams construct the software in stages, and they build it up and broaden it with each cycle. Each iteration results in a new version of the software with added functionalities and fewer shortcomings.

DevOps which is employed by Atlassian - huge companies, is a collaborative SDLC methodology. DevOps, the offspring of Agile and Lean, was designed to foster cooperation between development and operations teams. Both the developers and operators work together closely via this method which helps speed up and enhance the software development and deployment process through small, often releases. DevOps makes use of continuous feedback, process optimization, and automation of tasks that have usually been manual.

The Lean methodology focuses on discarding needless things, making choices at the latest responsible moment, serving results quickly, and at the same time, maintaining the larger picture. Teams who use the Lean model review each part of the SDLC and remove redundant jobs — such as multiple meetings or documentation — thus, the development process is improved.

As highlighted throughout this article, there are various SDLC models to choose from. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each model has strengths and weaknesses. You must weigh these against your product, team, and organization's unique traits.

Many will quickly argue that Agile is the best for every situation. It’s important to consider if it's the best choice for your needs.

To understand why Agile emerged, it is helpful to look at the history of its development. The industry introduced Agile methodologies as a response to the issues with traditional development approaches, which often included:

• Excessive bureaucracy
• Overly detailed documentation that became outdated and went unread.
• Insufficient collaboration with customers, sponsors, or stakeholders.
• Feedback cycles that were too long.

To address these challenges, agile methodologies are the right option. They promote lightweight processes, continuous collaboration with stakeholders, shorter feedback loops, and frequent iterations. They focus on delivering working software in regular, small increments. They avoid relying on comprehensive, formal documentation.

Choosing the right development team is more important than choosing the Right SDLC methodology. The development team's expertise and experience will greatly impact the success of the project, as they will be responsible for executing the chosen SDLC methodology. You need to make sure they have the right skills, can communicate well, and fit in with the culture of your organization.

An Experienced Software Development Company like Elightwalk Technology can provide a team of skilled professionals. Their experience can help you get past any problems that come up during the software development process, making sure that the project is finished in a way that is both smooth and effective.

Contact us to learn more about which software development life cycle is best for your project's successful result. We guide you with the necessary path of development with the experienced developers and project manager team.