Software development lifecycle: Benefits, phases, and methodologies 

These days, business growth strongly relies on well-designed and user-friendly applications. If poorly developed, the app can cause financial and reputational losses. That’s where the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) comes in. SDLC provides a structured roadmap for developing a digital solution that meets expectations, stays within budget, and is delivered on time. It’s a so-called guide to software development.  

This article breaks down SDLC stages and methodologies and explains why it’s vital for successful software development. 

Benefits of SDLC 

Software development teams benefit from using the SDLC model in many ways. For starters, it brings the following: 

• Excellent understanding of the product and its purpose 
• Precise estimate and lowered cost of software development 
• Shortened development timeframes by preventing bug occurrence 
• Transparency throughout the process and a chance for stakeholders to give their input or make adjustments 
• Improved overall quality of the final product 

Clear communication, well-defined processes, and continuous risk assessment — the core benefits of SDLC — are the pillars of good project management. By following a structured approach, teams are better equipped to manage complexity, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality software that satisfies target users and stakeholders. 

SDLC phases  

The SDLC process is divided into six main stages, each containing key activities to drive efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction. Let’s look at them a little closer. 

Planning and analysis 

Accurate, complete, and measurable user requirements are the foundation for any project. They ensure that the software meets user expectations and help to avoid costly rework and project delays. During this phase, the business analytics (BA) identifies the project’s goals, scope, and client’s expectations. Planning involves gathering information, analysing business needs, and defining project timelines.  

At this stage, it’s vital to prioritize features. Such a framework considers the value of the software development or updates, the cost, the timeframes, and other factors. It also helps to understand that the software project is in line with business and stakeholder goals.  

When it’s done, designers and architects can visualise the project. 

System design 

Software architects use design tools to visualise the future application’s behaviour and structure, including: 

• The unified modelling language (UML) to illustrate the software’s architectural blueprints in a diagram 
• Data flow diagrams to represent system requirements 
• Decision trees and decision tables to help explain complex relationships 
• Simulations — to predict how the software will perform 

This is the basis for the UI designer to create intuitive and visually pleasant user interfaces. 

Coding 

In the coding phase, developers translate the system design specifications into actual code. To be more precise, they do the following: 

• Write clean and readable code  
• Use version control to track any changes to the codebase 
• Refactor the code if needed 
• Run code reviews afterwards to get a second opinion on it 
• Maintain the documentation that explains how the code works 

Testing 

Before it’s released to production, the software is thoroughly tested for bugs and errors. This stage involves Quality Assurance (QA) experts who develop the software test plan with critical information about the testing process, including the strategy, objectives, required resources, deliverables, and exit or suspension criteria. QA run testing in various forms, including: 

Unit testing: Testing the individual software modules to validate that each one works correctly. 

Integration testing: Testing the interactions between different modules to ensure they work correctly together. 

System testing: Software testing to verify that it meets the requirements and works correctly in the production environment. 

User acceptance testing: Stakeholders and users test the software to verify and accept it before it’s deployed to production. 

Deployment 

Once tested, the new software is ready to be deployed. This stage is divided into three main steps: 

• Step 1: The development team commits the code to a software repository. 
• Step 2: The deployment automation tool triggers a series of tests. 
• Step 3: The software gets deployed to production and becomes available to users. 

As a reliable custom software development partner, we handle the entire deployment process. We ensure a smooth rollout without complications tailored to your specific infrastructure and needs, guaranteeing that the software runs smoothly from day one. 

Maintenance and support 

Every product requires ongoing maintenance to operate at peak performance constantly. To achieve this, developers periodically issue software patches to fix bugs, resolve security issues, and ensure the software stays relevant over time. 

Our maintenance activities also include monitoring and training new users, which is exceptionally beneficial after significant updates or for complex projects. Besides, we create detailed documentation for users, address their issues, and upgrade their systems to ensure they’re compatible with the new software. 

The best-known SDLC methodologies 

SDLC methodologies provide practical tools and techniques to help teams manage tasks, collaborate efficiently, and deliver high-quality software. Each methodology has its place, and the right choice and order depends on your project’s goals, team structure, and business needs. Here’s the list of the most appreciated and commonly used ones, according to the latest statistics: 

Agile development 

Agile methodology is all about flexibility and iteration. Teams work in short cycles called sprints, allowing them to quickly release small, functional parts of the software. Agile is focused on regular feedback and adjustments and is ideal for projects where requirements may change over time. 

Key points: 

• Projects are broken down into sprints; each sprint delivers a working product increment. 
• Adapts to changing requirements throughout the project. 
• Emphasizes teamwork and communication between stakeholders. 
• Prioritizes delivering value to the customer. 

Waterfall development 

Waterfall is a traditional, linear software development approach. Each phase — planning, software design, development, and testing — must be completed before the next begins. While less flexible, it works well for complex projects and for those with clearly defined requirements and minimal changes. 

Key points: 

• Each project phase must be completed before moving to the next. 
• Provides a transparent and predictable process. 
• Requires a complete understanding of requirements before development begins. 

Iterative 

Iterative development focuses on repetitive cycles, where each iteration builds upon the previous one. This method allows for early identification and correcting issues, making it ideal for complex projects. 

Key points: 

• Projects are divided into smaller iterations, each building upon the previous one. 
• Allows for early identification and correction of issues. 
• Can handle projects with evolving requirements. 

Spiral  

Spiral software development combines Iterative and Waterfall approaches and focuses on risk management. Projects undergo repeated cycles of development, allowing for regular adjustments and refinements. 

Key points: 

• Each iteration involves planning, risk analysis, engineering, and evaluation. 
• Allows for changes and adaptations based on feedback and risk assessments. 
• Can handle complex projects with high levels of uncertainty. 

DevOps 

DevOps — the combination of development (Dev) and operations (Ops) — focuses on collaboration, automation, and continuous delivery. This methodology ensures fast and reliable software deployments. 

Key points: 

• Breaks down silos between teams to improve efficiency and deployment speed. 
• Leverages automation tools to streamline processes and reduce errors. 
• Enables frequent and reliable delivery of software updates. 

Rapid application development (RAD) 

RAD is excellent for projects with tight deadlines. It focuses on quickly developing prototypes and refining them through feedback and iterations, reducing the time spent on upfront planning and allowing teams to adjust based on early feedback.  

Key points: 

• Employs rapid prototyping and iterative system development to deliver software quickly. 
• Ideal for projects requiring delivery ASAP. 

Choosing the suitable SDLC model 

There is no one-fits-all option when it comes to SDLC methodology, but there are practices that help you choose the right one. They all are based on a clear understanding of the project’s goals and requirements and a precise evaluation of resources at the client’s disposal. The following are the things to consider when choosing the methodology. 

Project size and complexity: A traditional model like Waterfall may be sufficient for smaller, well-defined projects. However, an Agile or Spiral model might be a better fit for larger, more complex ones with evolving requirements. 

Team size and experience: Some SDLC models work better for smaller, cross-functional teams, while others are better suited to larger teams with specialised roles. For instance, Agile thrives in smaller teams that need to collaborate closely, while Waterfall can handle larger, more segmented teams. 

Customer requirements and expectations: A Waterfall approach can ensure that a client’s specific, detailed needs are met from the outset. However, Agile is better suited for clients who want to see and test features as they’re developed. 

Time and budget constraints: Tight deadlines or limited budgets often favour approaches like Agile or RAD. If you need to launch a minimum viable product (MVP) in just a few months, opt for them. These methodologies allow teams to prioritise delivering functional segments quickly, reducing time to market. 

Bottom line 

The Software Development Life Cycle is a well-structured process that helps ensure your software development project runs smoothly, stays within budget, and meets expectations. There are many benefits and methodologies to choose from, and there is no one-fits-all approach. That’s why we don’t limit ourselves to a specific SDLC process model.  

Whether it’s Agile, Waterfall, or DevOps, Blackthorn Vision’s teams know their job. We pay attention to details, maintain constant communication, and build every project with an end user in mind. Contact us to discuss the development of your next project!