What are the 7 phases of SDLC?

The 7 phases of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) provide a structured approach to software development, ensuring that a project is efficiently planned, executed, tested, and maintained. Each phase serves a distinct purpose in transforming a software idea into a fully functioning application.

1. Planning

The planning phase is the foundation of the SDLC. It involves understanding the project's scope, defining goals, and creating a high-level plan for how the project will be executed. This phase helps ensure that the team has a clear vision and realistic objectives.

Key Activities:

• Define the project's purpose and goals.
• Identify resources (team members, budget, tools).
• Establish timelines and deadlines.
• Perform risk analysis to identify potential challenges.

Output: Project plan, budget, and timeline.

2. System Requirements and Analysis

During this phase, the focus is on gathering and analyzing the requirements of the software. The goal is to understand what the system needs to do (functional requirements) and the constraints it must operate under (non-functional requirements like performance, security, and scalability).

Key Activities:

• Conduct stakeholder meetings and interviews.
• Document functional and non-functional requirements.
• Analyze the feasibility of the system.
• Define system architecture at a high level.

Output: System Requirements Specification (SRS).

3. System Design

This phase involves translating the system requirements into a detailed design. It’s about deciding how the software will function by designing its architecture, components, data flows, and interfaces. Both high-level design (HLD) and low-level design (LLD) are covered here.

Key Activities:

• Define the overall system architecture (HLD).
• Break the system into components (LLD).
• Create database schemas and user interfaces.
• Design APIs, modules, and system interactions.

Output: Design documents, diagrams, database schemas, and user interfaces.

4. Development

The development phase is where the actual coding takes place. Developers write the code based on the design documents and specifications. This phase typically follows coding standards and guidelines to ensure consistency and quality.

Key Activities:

• Write code for each component or module.
• Follow coding best practices and version control.
• Integrate components into a working system.
• Conduct initial testing to ensure basic functionality.

Output: Functional code that meets the design specifications.

5. Testing

After development, the software is tested to ensure it meets the requirements and functions as expected. This phase involves identifying bugs or issues, ensuring the system works under various conditions, and verifying that it meets the stakeholders' expectations.

Key Activities:

• Unit testing (testing individual components).
• Integration testing (ensuring components work together).
• System testing (end-to-end testing of the system).
• User acceptance testing (verifying the system meets user needs).

Output: Bug reports, test cases, and validated software.

6. Deployment

Once the software has passed all testing phases, it is deployed to the production environment where it will be used by the end-users. Deployment can be done in stages (e.g., alpha, beta, full deployment) depending on the project's complexity.

Key Activities:

• Prepare the deployment environment (servers, databases, etc.).
• Deploy the system to production.
• Conduct post-deployment testing to ensure everything works correctly in the live environment.
• Provide documentation and training for users.

Output: Live, fully functional software system.

7. Maintenance

The maintenance phase involves monitoring the software for any issues that arise after deployment. This phase includes fixing bugs, making updates, and adding new features as requirements change over time.

Key Activities:

• Monitor system performance and security.
• Fix bugs and release patches.
• Implement new features and updates.
• Provide user support and training as needed.

Output: Updates, bug fixes, and system enhancements.

Summary of the 7 Phases of SDLC:

1. Planning – Define project goals and create a roadmap.
2. System Requirements and Analysis – Gather and document software requirements.
3. System Design – Design the system’s architecture and components.
4. Development – Write and build the software code.
5. Testing – Test the system for bugs and validate functionality.
6. Deployment – Deploy the software to the production environment.
7. Maintenance – Support, maintain, and update the software over time.

Conclusion

The 7 phases of SDLC provide a comprehensive roadmap for developing high-quality software in a structured, repeatable way. By following these phases, teams can deliver efficient, reliable, and scalable software solutions while managing risks and meeting user requirements effectively.