Examine the major strengths and weaknesses of the system development life cycle in

libraries

Definition

Systems developement life cycle

This refers to the stages through which system develops from birth to death. That is from the
moment the system is incepted until it is modified or replaced with a new one.

The stages, in their order include, problem identification, feasibility study, analysis design,
implementation, conversion and then maintenance.

The first stages of SDLC are dependent on the previous one.

The planning phase

On this phase the main objective is to identify the scope of the new system an ensure that the
project is feasible and can be solved by a computer system.

The analysis phase

The main objective of this stage is to determine how the current system function and locate the
existing problem or malfunction.

The design phase

The objective of is to design the system or come up with solution by using information collected
from analysis phase, it consists of designing the database, the user interface the complete
technical specification of the new system.

The implementation phase

The aim of this phase is to test the application and ensue that it is working properly and that the
users of the system are well conversant with this application and that they know how to use it. It
implies changing from previous system to the new developed system or integrating a new
module on an existing one.

The support or maintenance phase

This phase consist of keeping system up running after implementation of the application had
taken place, it involves making minor changes.

strengths and weaknesses of systems development life cycle ( SDLC)

 However, the systems development life cycle has its own strengths and weaknesses or its own
advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages of SDLC are it enhances control and
monitoring of large project, it is formed of well detailed steps. The orderly and sequence of
development steps and strict controls ensures the adequacy of documentation.

The design reviews help to ensure the quality reliability and maintenance ability of the developed
software and solution.

The progress and the cost of system development completion targets are measurable. It is also
easier way to manage a project. However, the disadvantages of the SDLC are, it increases the
development time and cost and it is difficult to estimate the cost of the project.

The performance of the system development life cycle cannot be tested until it is almost fully
coded

The system details have to be specified up front and it increases time of documentation as time
advances.

Strength of the SDLC includes having a clear view of an entire project with workers included,
estimated cost and timelines.

It also gives project managers a projected base cost of the project.

Goals and standards are clearly defined. Developers can move back a step if something does not
so as expected.

However some disadvantages or weaknesses may occur.

Due to assumptions made at the beginning of a project if an unexpected circumstances

complicates the development of a system, then it may stockpile into more complications down
the road.

For example if a newly installed hardware does not work correctly , then it may increase the time
a system is in development thereby increasing the cost.

Some methods are not flexible, it can be complicated to estimate the overall cost at the beginning
of a project.

Testing at the end of development may slow down some development teams.

There is also ability to monitor and maintain control over projects, as there are detailed phases
that guide systems development in a controlled manner.
There is ability to make changes to the information technology, staff without affecting the
development process.

Detailed phases that guide systems development in a controlled manner, there is also good
documentation.

Easy system maintenance.

On the other hand it can be a longer development time than other methodologies and also there is
need for well defined systems at outset, before development starts.

The process also might seem rigid. There is need for a well defined systems at outset, before
development starts.

references

A.Ston(2013)computer Essentials