System Development Life Cycle

A comprehensive process beginning with the systems definition of a problem and including all the subsequent development and implementation activities through final review and evaluation of the new system.

1.    Problem Definition

In the first step of the SDLC, the analyst is concerned with identifying problems. An English proverb “ A well defined problem is half solved” goes well in the favor of this step. So problem must be well defined either by the end user, management, or by the system analyst.

2.    Data Collection and Analysis

There are major tools and techniques for data collection and analysis. An important rule must be remembered while collecting data; information must be acquired accurately, methodically, under the right conditions, and with minimum interruption to user personnel.

3.    Analysis of System Alternatives

In many cases it is possible that the system analyst may have more than one alternative solutions of a problem or situation. In such cases he should analyze each and every one of these alternatives to find out the most suitable solution. This selection may itself determine that which solution is more describable.

4.    Determination of System Feasibility

It means that what are the possibilities that the system or the alternative, which is chosen, will work as effectively and efficiently as desired. Two most important things should be kept in mind while determining feasibility; Cost and Benefits. For this purpose a CBA (Cost and Benefit Analysis) is also often conducted.

5.    Development of System Proposal

In this step the system analyst works on the proposal selected in the previous stage. This development process is very important and should be carried out very carefully and with attention on the minute details.

6.    Pilot or Prototype System Development

Pilot or prototype system development means that when we start working on project and the project is too big so that we couldn’t implement the whole system at once because before implementing system we had to first check whether the system is going to work efficiently and effectively with its all parts or not for this purpose it is often found convenient to implement a pilot or prototype system, which is quite similar to the main system or we implement the system in modules of parts as convenient

7.    System Design

Now finally the designing of system takes place. This is perhaps a very important phase in the system life cycle. In this step the system analyst with the help of other persons such as programmers, managers and other persons design the system.

8.    Program Development

Now the actual work starts on the system with all the ideas that had been discussed in the preceding steps. In this step programming is done on different phases of the system with the help of programmers and managers.

9.    System Implementation

In the system implementation step the designed system is implemented with real data and facts. There are three ways in which system may be implemented depending on situation or requirements, they are as follows:

I)          Direct implementation

II)         Parallel implementation

III)        Partial implementation

10.    System Review and Evaluation

In most cases it is found that the designed system after implementation often needs some adjustments in the later stage. Therefore, it is important to plan for a continuing support service.