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Product Strategy

SDLC - Software Development Life Cycle

CONTENTS

What is SDLC?

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SDLC definition

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. 

What are the five stages of SDLC?

1. Planning and analysis

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. 

2. Designing the architecture

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. 

3. Development

Next is development. The team builds upon the architecture until an app gradually takes shape. During this stage, the app concept becomes a reality. 

4. Testing

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. 

5. Maintenance

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. 

What are the seven phases of SDLC?

Planning stage

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. 

Feasibility or requirements of analysis stage

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. 

Design and prototyping stage

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. 

Software development stage

With the prototype in hand, the developers are ready to begin development. This is where the vision becomes a workable app. 

Software testing stage

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. 

Implementation and integration

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. 

Operations and maintenance stage

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.

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What Is SDLC

General FAQ

Agile vs. SDLC
Though they are similar, Agile and SDLC are not the same. Agile is more prescriptive and better suited to smaller projects. SDLC is broader and can be applied to larger projects for longer periods.
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Glossary categories

Agile

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Prioritization

Prioritization

Product Management

Product Management

Product Strategy

Product Strategy

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