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System Development Life Cycle

System Development Life Cycle

Table of Contents

Overview of System Development Lifecycle 4


Models of System Development Lifecycle 4

Waterfall Model 4

Spiral Model 5

Rapid Application Development Model 5

Phases of System Development Life Cycle 5



Systems Development Lifecycle in Practice – A Case Study 8

Overview 8

Phase 1 – Planning 8

Phase 2 – Analysis 8

Phase 3 – Design 9

Phase 4 – Implementation 9

Phase 5 – Support and Maintenance 10

Conclusion 10

References 11

Overview of System Development Life Cycle

A system development lifecycle (SDLC) is a general process for developing information systems. It provides a framework for the tools, techniques and methods needed to build and implement systems that adequately address business needs. Most SDLC models incorporate fundamental principles which should underpin all systems development (Whitten et al, 1989, pp81-85). These principles include:

· The system is for the end-user
· Establish phases and tasks
· Systems Development is not a sequential process
· Systems are capital investments
· Don't be afraid to cancel
· Documentation is a product of all phases

Models of System Development Life Cycle

A SDLC defines the phases and tasks that are essential to systems development regardless of the size or scope of the impending system. While there are many versions or ‘models' of the SDLC, they differ only in terminology and are more often alike than dissimilar. In its simplest form, the SDLC consists of five phases: planning, analysis, design, implementation, and support. Following are examples of three different models, and have been included to further highlight the similarity between the phases and underlying principles.

The Waterfall Model
This model is sometimes known as the ‘classic' SDLC. It incorporates seven phases and depicts a method...