What is the SDLC?
The software development life cycle is a process that development teams use to create awesome software that's top-notch in terms of quality, cost-effectiveness, and time efficiency. The main goal is to minimize risks long before deciding how to launch your SaaS product and ensure the software meets the customer's expectations during and after production.
This process is about creating a detailed plan to guide the development of the product and then breaking down the development process into smaller modules that can be assigned, completed, and measured to make the whole thing more manageable.
Phases of the Software Development Life Cycle
The SDLC process will look a little different for every team and product. However, these are the stages that most SDLC frameworks have in common:
Benefits of SDLC for the Product Team
Managing changing requirements, staying on top of new technology, and working collaboratively can be challenging for the product team. That's where the SDLC comes in handy. The SDLC provides a framework for the product team to manage the development process systematically, with clear goals and deliverables at every stage. By using SDLC, the product team can ensure that all stakeholders agree on software development goals and requirements upfront and have a plan to achieve them.
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Increased visibility of the development process for all stakeholders involved
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More efficient estimation, planning, and scheduling
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Improved risk management and cost estimation
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A systematic approach to delivering software that meets customer expectations and improves satisfaction
Common SDLC Models
Agile Model
This model arranges the SDLC phases into several development cycles, with the team delivering small, incremental software changes in each cycle. The Agile methodology is highly efficient, and rapid development cycles help teams identify issues early on, but overreliance on customer feedback could lead to excessive scope changes or project termination.
Waterfall Model
This model arranges all the phases sequentially, with each new phase depending on the outcome of the previous one. It provides structure to project management, but there is little room for changes once a phase is complete, so it's best for small, well-defined projects.
Iterative Model
With this model, the team begins development with a small set of requirements and iteratively enhances versions until the software is ready for production. It's easy to manage risks, but repeated cycles could lead to scope change and underestimation of resources. This model is best for projects that require high flexibility in their requirements and have the resources to handle multiple iterations.
Spiral Model
This model combines the iterative model's repeated cycles with the waterfall model's linear flow to prioritize risk analysis. It's best for complex projects with frequent changes but can be expensive for smaller projects.
Big Bang Model
The Big Bang Model is a unique approach where developers jump right into coding without much planning. This means that requirements are implemented as they come, without any kind of clear roadmap. If changes are needed, it can require a complete revamp of the software.