The System Development Life Cycle

What is an information system (IS)?

Hardware, software, data, System—Set of components

people, and procedures that that interact to achieve
work together to produce common goal
quality information

Businesses use many types of

systems
SDLC
 Software Development Life cycle is a framework for
developing computer based information systems.
 It the overall process of developing information
system through a multi step process.
 It consists of a detailed plan describing how to
develop, maintain, replace and alter or enhance
specific software.
 It is a process that produces software with the
highest quality and lowest cost in the shortest time.
It includes a detailed plan for how to develop, alter,
maintain, and replace a software system.
 It’s aim to produce high quality software that
meets customer expectations , reaches completion
with is times and costs estimates .
 Sdlc is a process used by the software industry to
design , develop and test high quality software.
The System Development Life Cycle
What are the phases of the system development cycle?
Phase 2. Analysis
 Conduct preliminary investigation
Phase 1. Planning  Perform detailed analysis activities:
Phase 3. Design
 Review project requests Study current system  Acquire hardware
 Prioritize project Determine user requirements and software, if
requests necessary
Recommend solution
 Allocate resources  Develop details of
 Identify project system
development team

Phase 5. Support Phase 4. Implementation

 Conduct post-implementation  Develop programs, if necessary
system review  Install and test new system
 Identify errors and enhancements  Train users
 Monitor system performance  Convert to new system
The System Development Life Cycle
Who participates
in the system
development life
cycle?
The System Development Life Cycle
What is a systems analyst?

Responsible for designing

and developing
information system

Liaison between users

and IT professionals
The System Development Life Cycle
What is the project team?

Formed to work on project from beginning to end

Consists of users, systems analyst, and other IT professionals

Project leader—one member of the team who

manages and controls project budget and schedule
SDLC phases / Steps / stages
 Problem Identification
 System Analysis
 System Designing
 System coding/ development
 Testing
 Implementation/ deployment
The System Development Life Cycle
What is the preliminary investigation?
 Determine exact nature of problem or improvement
and whether it is worth pursuing
 Findings are presented in feasibility report, also known as a feasibility study
Problem Identification / definition
 System definition is the process of defining the
current problem.
 Why a new system is needed?
 Identifying the objectives of the proposed system.
 Why do we need a system?
 What are the objectives of the new system?
 Find out the scope of the problem and determines
solutions, resources, costs , time , benefits.
The System Development Life Cycle
What is the analysis phase?

Conduct preliminary Perform detailed

investigation, also analysis
called feasibility
study
The System Development Life Cycle
What is detailed analysis?
1. Study how current system
works

2. Determine user’s wants, needs,

and requirements

3. Recommend solution

Sometimes called logical design

The System Development Life Cycle
What are six data and information gathering techniques?
 Review documentation
 Observe
 Questionnaire
 Interview
 Joint-application
design (JAD) session
 Research
System Analysis
 System analysis is a process of collecting factual
data , identifying the problems and recommending
feasible suggestion for improving the system.
 It involves all important facts of the business area
under investigation.
 This require data collection from a variety of
sources such as questionnaires, forms, interviews,
study of existing documents.
 . It can be involved the direct observation in the
organization and collected documents to
understand the whole existing system.
Feasibility Study
 Feasibility study is the initial design stage of any
project, which brings together the elements of
knowledge that indicate if a project is possible or
not.
 feasibility study includes an estimate of the level of
expertise required for a project and who can
provide it, quantitative and qualitative assessments
of other essential resources, identification of critical
points, a general timetable, and a general cost
estimate.
 A Feasibility Study represents a definition of a
problem or opportunity to be studied, an analysis
of the current mode of operation, a definition of
requirements, an evaluation of alternatives.
 A feasibility study is an evaluation and analysis of a
project or system that somebody has proposed
There are mainly five types of feasibility Study
 Economic: Can we complete the project within the
budget or not?
 Legal: Can we handle this project as cyber law and
other regulatory framework/compliances.
 Operation feasibility: Can we create operations
which is expected by the client?
 Technical: Need to check whether the current
computer system can support the software
 Schedule: Decide that the project can be completed
within the given schedule or not.
The System Development Life Cycle
What is feasibility?
Operational
feasibility
Measure of
how suitable
system Four feasibility
development tests:
will be to the Schedule
company feasibility

Economic
feasibility
(also called Technical
cost/benefit feasibility
feasibility)
System Design
 Once the requirements are understood, software
architects and developers can begin to design the
software.
 Design of the system is mainly the logical design that
can be sketch on a paper or on a computer. It
includes physical design elements, describes how the
data input.
 System design is the process of designing the
elements of a system such as the architecture,
modules and components, the different interfaces of
those components and the data that goes through
that system.
 Systems design is the process of defining elements
of a system like modules, architecture, components
and their interfaces and data for a system based on
the specified requirements.
 It is the process of defining, developing and
designing systems which satisfies the specific needs
and requirements of a business or organization.
 1) Architectural design: To describes the views,
models, behavior, and structure of the system.
 2) Logical design: To represent the data flow, inputs
and outputs of the system. Example: ER Diagrams
(Entity Relationship Diagrams).
 3) Physical design: Defined as a) How users add
information to the system and how the system
represents information back to the user. b) How the
data is modelled and stored within the system. c) How
data moves through the system, how data is validated,
secured and/or transformed as it flows through and
out of the system.
The System Development Life Cycle
What is the design phase?

Acquire hardware and software

Develop all details of new or

modified information system
Some of the designing tools and technique
 System Flowcharts
 Algorithm
 Data Flow Diagram
 Entity-Relation Diagram
 Context-Diagram
 Decision Table
 Decision Tree
Development / coding
 developers start the entire system by writing code
using the chosen programming language.
 tasks are divided into units or modules and
assigned to the various developers .
 Coding Stage/Phase in SDLC. Once the design is
complete, most of the major decisions about the
system have been made. The goal of the coding
phase is to translate the design of the system into
code in a given programming language.
Testing
 When the software is ready, it is sent to the testing
department.
 They either test the software manually or using
automated testing tools depends on the process
defined in STLC (Software Testing Life Cycle) and
ensure that each and every component of the
software works fine.
 Once the QA makes sure that the software is error-
free, it goes to the next stage, which is
Implementation.
Black Box
Tester does not have any information about
internal working of the system
It is a high level of testing that focuses on
the behavior of the software.
It involves testing from an external or end
user .
It is a testing approach which is used to test
the software without the knowledge of the
internal structure of program or application.
Code access is not required for Black Box
Testing.
Performed by the end user, developer, and
tester.
Programming knowledge is not needed to
perform Black Box testing.
White Box
It checks the internal function of the system
It is based on coverage of coding , braches,
statements.
It is a low level testing .
It is a testing approach in which internal
structure is known to the tester.
White box testing requires code access.
Thereby, the code could be stolen if testing
is outsourced.
Usually done by tester and developers.
Programming knowledge is required to
perform White Box testing.
The System Development Life Cycle
What is the implementation phase?
 Purpose is to construct, or build, new or modified
system and then deliver it to users
Convert to new system

Train users

Install and test new system

Develop programs
implementation
 After successful testing, the product is
delivered/deployed to the customer for their use.
Deployment is done by the Deployment/
Implementation engineers.
 Once when the customers start using the developed
system then the actual problems will come up and
needs to be solved from time to time.
 Fixing the issues found by the customer comes in
the maintenance phase .
 This is the final phase of development. It consists of
installing hardware, programs, collecting data and
interact with user and run the system.
 user actually starts using the system therefore it
also involves training of users and provides friendly
documentation.
 Convert from old system to new system.
 How to enter data
 How to process the data
 How to take out the reports
 Conversion
 User training / documentation
Maintenance
 Maintenance is the process of keeping the software
in its fully functional form and to see that nothing
goes wrong.
 Physical repair of the system
 Correction of new bugs .
The System Development Life Cycle
What is the support phase?
 Provides ongoing assistance after system is implemented
Conduct post-implementation system review—meeting to find out if
information system is performing according to expectations

Identify errors

Identify enhancements

Monitor system performance

The System Development Life Cycle
What is documentation?

Collection and summarization

of data and information

Includes reports, diagrams,

programs, and other deliverables
Documentation
 It is written in understandable language.
 It consists detail information about system.
 Documentation is process of writing down every stages
and each and every details of the process of life cycle
development .
 User Documentation.contains complete description of
the system and detailing how to use or operate the
system
 System Documentation. It contains the details of system
design, programs, coding, system flow, data dictionary
process description .
Deployment
 Once a program has passed the testing phase, it is
ready for deployment. In this stage, the software is
released to the public. It may be provided via an
electronic download or as boxed software, which
comes on a CD or DVD.
The System Development Life Cycle
What are some reasons to create or modify an
information system?

To correct problem To improve

in existing system existing system

Outside group may Competition can

mandate change lead to change
The System Development Life Cycle
What is a request for system services?
 Formal request for
new or modified
information system
 Also called
project request
The System Development Life Cycle
What is the planning phase?
Begins when steering committee receives project request

Steering
committee—
decision-making
body for the
company

Function of committee:

Form project
Review and development
Prioritize Allocate
approve project team for each
project requests resources
requests approved
project
The System Development Life Cycle
What is the
system proposal? Assesses
feasibility
of each
alternative
solution

Presented to
Recommends
steering
the most
committee,
feasible
which decides
solution for
how system will
the project
be developed
The System Development Life Cycle
What are possible solutions? Horizontal market
software—meets
needs of many
companies
Buy packaged software—prewritten
software available for purchase
Vertical market
software—designed
for particular industry
Write own custom software—software
developed at user’s request

Outsource—have outside source

develop software
The System Development Life Cycle
What is needed to acquire new hardware and software?
 Identify all hardware and software requirements of new or
modified system

Talk with other

Surf Web
systems analysts

Read print and

Visit vendors’ stores online trade journals,
newspapers, and
magazines
The System Development Life Cycle
What are three basic documents used to summarize
technical specifications?
Vendor quotes
Identifies Request for quotation (RFQ) price(s) for
product(s) listed
you want product(s)

Vendor selects
Request for proposal (RFP)
product(s) that
meet(s) your
requirements and Less formal method
then quotes price(s) that uses standard
form to request
information about
Request for information (RFI) product or service
The System Development Life Cycle
How do systems analysts test software products?
 References from vendor
 Talk to current users of product
 Product demonstrations
 Trial version of software
 Benchmark test measures performance
The System Development Life Cycle
What is a detailed design?

Detailed design specifications for components in proposed solution

Includes several activities

Database Input and Program

design output design design
The System Development Life Cycle
What is a mockup?
 Sample of input or output that contains actual data
The System Development Life Cycle
What is a prototype?

Working model of
proposed system

Beginning a prototype
too early may lead to
problems
The System Development Life Cycle
What is computer-aided software engineering (CASE)?
 Software tools designed to support activities of system
development cycle
The System Development Life Cycle
What are the three types of tests performed by system
developers?

Unit Test Systems test

Verifies each Verifies all programs

individual program in application work
works by itself together

Integration Test

Verifies application
works with other
applications
The System Development Life Cycle
What is training?
 Showing users exactly
how they will use new
hardware and software
in system
SDLC approaches or models are
 Waterfall model
 Prototype model
 Spiral model
Waterfall model
 it was the first model which was widely used in the
software industry. The waterfall model is a classical
model used in system development life cycle to
create a system with a linear and sequential
approach. It is termed as waterfall because the
model develops systematically from one phase to
another in a downward fashion.
 This model is divided into different phases and the
output of one phase is used as the input of the next
phase. Every phase has to be completed before the
next phase starts and there is no overlapping of the
phases.
Waterfall model can be used
 Requirements are not changing frequently
 Application is not complicated and big
 Project is short
 Requirement is clear
 Environment is stable
 Technology and tools used are not dynamic and is
stable
 Resources are available and trained
Prototype model
 The prototyping model is applied when detailed
information related to input and output
requirements of the system is not available.
 In this model, it is assumed that all the requirements
may not be known at the start of the development of
the system.
 It is usually used when a system does not exist or in
case of a large and complex system where there is no
manual process to determine the requirements.
 This model allows the users to interact and
experiment with a working model of the system
known as prototype. The prototype gives the user an
actual feel of the system.
Spiral Model
Spiral Model
 This model combines the features of the
prototyping model and waterfall model .
 Spiral model is one of the most important Software
Development Life Cycle models, which provides
support for Risk Handling. In its diagrammatic
representation, it looks like a spiral with many
loops. The exact number of loops of the spiral is
unknown and can vary from project to project.
Each loop of the spiral is called a Phase of the
software development process.
spiral model has 4 phases described below:

 Planning phase
 Risk analysis phase
 Engineering phase
 Evaluation phase.
 Planning Phase: Requirements are gathered during
the planning phase. Requirements like ‘BRS’ that is
‘Bussiness Requirement Specifications’ and ‘SRS’
that is ‘System Requirement specifications’.
 Risk Analysis: In the risk analysis phase, a process
is undertaken to identify risk and alternate
solutions.  A prototype is produced at the end of the
risk analysis phase. If any risk is found during the
risk analysis then alternate solutions are suggested
and implemented.
 Engineering Phase: In this phase software is
developed, along with testing at the end of the
phase. Hence in this phase the development and
testing is done.
 Evaluation phase: This phase allows the customer
to evaluate the output of the project.
When to use Spiral Methodology?
 When project is large
 When creation of a prototype is applicable
 When risk and costs evaluation is important
 For medium to high-risk projects
 When requirements are unclear and complex
 When changes may require at any time
 When long term project commitment is not feasible
due to changes in economic priorities
 Waterfall vs Spiral Model
The waterfall model is a relatively linear
The spiral model is a risk driven process
sequential design approach to develop
model generator for software projects. 
software projects.
 Customer Involvement
In spiral model, the customer involvement is
In waterfall model, the customer involvement
high. The customer has an awareness of what
is minimum.
the product is.
Flow of the Phases
In waterfall model, after completing a phase
Spiral model operates on iterations so it is
and reached a new phase, it is not possible to
possible to go back to the previous phases.
go back to the previous phase.
 Usage
The waterfall model can be used for small The spiral model can be used for large,
projects and for projects with clear complex project that requires continuous risk
requirements. analyzing.
Simplicity
The waterfall model is simple and easy. The spiral model is a complex model.
System Analyst
System Analyst
 System analyst is the person who is responsible for
the analysis, design and implementation of the
business system to the computer.
 A system analyst can be described as the person who
will solve the business problem using computer
technology.
 A systems analyst is an information technology (IT)
professional who specializes in analyzing, designing
and implementing information systems
 A systems analyst is a person who uses analysis and
design techniques to solve business problems using
information technology.
Role of a system analyst
 System analyst act as an investigator and monitor .
 System analyst act as an architect .
 System analyst plays the role of motivator .
Duties and responsibilities of SA
 Defining user’s requirements
 Analysis and evaluation
 Solving problems
 Designing system
 Maintaining and upgrading existing systems as
required .
 Designing new computer systems and frameworks
 Creating system guidelines and manuals for the
organization.