SDLC, short for Software Development Life Cycle, is a tool that helps software development teams divide the work required to build an app into a set of predictable, structured stages.
During this first stage of SDLC, stakeholders will decide which features they should include, who will use the software, how to test it, how feasible the timeline, budget, and requirements are, and other pre-development details.
Second, the team will begin designing the architecture. This is a high-level design to give everyone an idea of how the finished app should look.
Next is development. The team builds upon the architecture until an app gradually takes shape. During this stage, the app concept becomes a reality.
Once the software has been built, the next stage of SDLC is testing. This can be done internally or externally. The goal is to ensure that there are as few issues for end-users as possible before launch.
After launch, the development team will shift into maintenance mode. This period will involve adding/removing features, fixing bugs, keeping up with compatibility requirements, and responding to user feedback.
The first phase of the SDLC is the planning stage. Here, developers begin planning what the software will look like, how it will work, which features are required and which aren't, the design language, and more.
Next, the developers and key stakeholders comb through the plans. Budgets are confirmed, the plans are tweaked accordingly, and the tools and methods necessary to execute the plans are described.
During the third phase of SDLC, the team designs and prototypes the software. A non-functioning version of the app (possibly just a visual representation) is created so that the team can develop a visual understanding of the app.
With the prototype in hand, the developers are ready to begin development. This is where the vision becomes a workable app.
Once the app is completed, it's time to test it. The team and outside testers go through the app and look for bugs, errors, and issues that need to be remedied before launching to general users.
After all the features and frameworks have been created, they'll be brought together into the finalized app. Integration with external services and APIs will also happen during this phase of SDLC.
Finally, post-launch, the development team will shift into a maintenance phase. This long-term segment of SDLC involves maintaining the app throughout its lifespan for users.