Creating High Quality Software : SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle)

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced world, which is totally occupied by technology, providing the software with outstanding quality is an important factor for success. SDLC gives a step-by-step approach to providing high-quality measures of software development and maintenance. In this blog, we will learn about different phases of SDLC and its types.

What is SDLC?

SDLC is the standard process followed for developing the software. It comes with a variety of stages, starting from planning to delivering and monitoring. Every stage is extremely important to provide high standards and satisfy the customer’s requirements.

SDLC covers below important stages

• Requirement Analysis : Information gathered and documented by understanding the client requirements

• Design: Software architecture, design, technologies to used-all these minute details are planned out

• Coding: Developers write the codes as per previous stages

• Testing: Thorough testing is done for the developed codes to make sure the software is bug-free

• Deployment: Tested software will be made available for users to use

• Maintenance: Software will be monitored by regular updates and fixing the new bugs

Different Models used for SDLC

From the very beginning until today, the SDLC process has been evolving. Below are the names of SDLC models introduced time to time.

1. Waterfall Model

2. Prototype Model

3. Incremental Model

4. Spiral Model

5. RAD Model

6. Big Bang Model

7. Fish Model

8. V Model

9. Agile Model

10. DEVOPS Model

We will cover Waterfall Model, Agile Model and Devops Model.

Waterfall Model

• This was the first SDLC model.

• In this model, every phase has a dependency on the previous phase.

• The next phase cannot be done until the previous phase is completed.

• If any phase of the SDLC has any issue, it has to be started over again.

• It is also known as the Linear Sequential Model.

Advantages

1. Very easy to implement

2. All phases are independent

3. High visibility

Disadvantages

1. Any new requirement in the middle of the project won’t be accepted.

2. For any new requirement, the cost will be very high

3. Client satisfaction will be very low

Agile Model

This model is very popular these days in market. Scrum model is most popular and most used model.

• It is iterative and incremental model

• It accepts the requirements in the middle of the projects

• Teams work collaboratively

• Continuous feedback is taken from client

• It focus on delivering highest quality software

• In this model, the development happens incrementally

• Each increment has timeline of one to three weeks

• Each increment is known as sprint

• In one sprint, 7 to 9 people work for delivering high-quality product

Advantages:

1. Best quality is achieved

2. Requirements are accepted in the middle. Therefore, the client satisfaction is high

3. client has good visibility through scrum meetings

4. Effective use of time and money

5. Project status tracking is easy

Limitations:

1. Project quality is compromised if the individuals working are not committed

2. Adapting scrum model at very large scale is very big challenge

3. If any project member leaves in middle, then there will be impact on project

Devops Model

• Devops is not a new technology or tool in the market

• It is the new culture for SDLC and maintenance of software projects

• Devops involves use of multiple tools

• These tools are used to simplify the processes

• In IT, two groups of people work together: one is the development group, and other is the non-development Group [also known as Operations group or Support group]

• DEVOPS is combination of Development and Operations

• The main objective of Devops is to foster collaboration between Development and Operations Group

• In Devops, almost all the process are automated and we can use many automation tools to achieve it

• It is the process of continuous development, continuous build, continuous test and continuous release of software with high quality and faster way with the use of automation tools

Similarities between Agile Model and Devops Model

1. Both are software development methodologies. Agile is in market since last 20 years but Devops is recently introduced

2. Both models concentrate on providing high-quality and rapid software development

Differences between Devops and Agile

1. Agile methodology only focuses on development, testing and deployment. After all these steps, there is no role of Agile. Whereas, Devops plays important role even after the deployments, which is for Operations and Monitoring

2. Agile mode is not fully based on automation, whereas Devops totally focuses on Automations

3. Agile gives importance to speed but Devops not only focuses on speed but also automations

4. In Agile client feedback is awaited but in Devops, immediate feedback is available via monitoring tools

Conclusion:

The Software Development Life Cycle is a key framework that helps teams provide high-quality software with consistency and efficiency. By using this framework, organizations can achieve their goals and customer satisfaction. As per the project structure, different SDLC processes can be used. Adopting the best practices at different stages of SDLC can help in successful delivery of projects.