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The Systems Development Life Cycle

IT

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43 views2 pages

The Systems Development Life Cycle

IT

Uploaded by

Princess Compe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The systems development life cycle (SDLC), also referred to as the application

development life-cycle, is a term used in systems engineering, information systems


and software engineering to describe a process for planning, creating, testing, and
deploying an information system.
The systems development life cycle (SDLC) is a conceptual model used in project
management that describes the stages involved in an information system
development project, from an initial feasibility study through maintenance of the
completed application.

Step 1: Identify Problems and Opportunities


The impetus for initiating a systems development cycle is to identify new problems
and opportunities.
For example: a wholesale distribution may receive customer complains concerning
late order deliveries resulting in lost orders and customer goodwill.
Action is necessary to solve these problems and take advantage of opportunities for
improvement. To understand clearly the exact nature of the problem requires a
thorough analysis and understanding of the existing system.
Step 2: Analyze and Document Existing Systems
Existing systems including manual, paper-based information systems need to be
thoroughly analyzed and documented before designing, developing, and
implementing changes (or a totally new system). In the late delivery example just
discussed management might initiate a project team (or task force) to analyze the
existing order-processing system. Analyzing the existing system involves activities
such as the following.

Review work flow


Define decision making associated with the work flow.
Review current information available to support decision making (e.g.
transactions and reports).
Isolate deficiencies in the existing information system.

Step 3: Determine Information Requirements


Once deficiencies in the information system have been determined and the existing
system is thoroughly analyzed and document. Information requirements can be
determined.
Step 4: Design Technology and Personnel Requirements

Design of information and processing requirements establishes the criteria for


identifying alternative means for solution achievement. That is, while the previous
step defines what is desired, this step defines how to do it. Viable technologies and
personnel are identified that, if included in the system, can be structured to support
the solution defined in the previous step. Generally, several alternatives, offering
varying degrees of solution achievement, are available.
Step 5: Develop, Test, and Validate System
At this point, desired solutions and the means of achieving them have been
identified. The actual development and testing of the system is now possible. This
step consists of installing any additional hardware or software required and
generating and testing computer programs where necessary. Software may be
purchased as a completed system requiring some customization, or it may be
developed by the organization.
Step 6: Implement System
After the new system has been developed and tested, conversion from the old
system to the new system can occur. A key part of the implementation process is
dealing with organizational and behavioral issues that often arise. Implementing
new information systems usually changes sometimes dramatically peoples jobs,
responsibilities, tasks, and reporting relationships.
Step 7: Evaluate and Maintain System
After a new system has been implemented, it is important to review how effectively
and efficiently solutions to problems and opportunities have been achieved.
Evaluation, therefore, consists of assessing the degree of variation between planned
and actual systems performance. If the new system fails to achieve the design
objectives or presents new problems or opportunities, a new SDLC may have to be
initiated. If the new system performs satisfactorily, then SDLC may have to be
initiated. If the new system performs satisfactorily, then the system can be
maintained at the current operating level until new problems or opportunities arise.

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