Webinar on Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) - Overview

Imarticus Learning conducted a session on the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the role of a Business Analyst on July 8, 2016. SDLC is often used in systems engineering, information systems and software engineering to describe a process for planning, creating, testing, and deploying an information system. SDLC is also often referred to as (i) Systems Development Life Cycle or (ii) Application Development Life Cycle. Mr. Mukhraj Saberwal, Solution Architect at Accenture, conducted this online webinar session where over 75 users from the world of academia and industry were present.

Mukhraj went on to illustrate the five key stages in SDLC, which include (i) Requirement Analysis, (ii) Design, (iii) Implementation, (iv) Testing and (v) Evaluation, with special focus on the role of a Business Analyst. He broke the process down further into the following 10 stages of software development.

1. Initiation – This process begins when the sponsor identifies a need or an opportunity and creates a concept proposal.  
2. System Concept Development – In this stage, the scope or boundary of the concepts are defined. This includes (i) System Boundary Document, (ii) Cost Benefit Analysis, (iii) Risk Management and (iv) Feasibility Study. 
3. Planning – Next, a Project Management Plan provides the basis for acquiring the resources needed to achieve a solution. 
4. Requirement Analysis – Analyses user needs and develops user requirements with detailed functional requirement documentation. 
5. Design – In this stage, the detailed plans are transformed into complete, detailed systems. The design document focuses on how to deliver the required functionality.
6. Development – At this stage, the design is converted to a complete information system that includes (i) installing systems environment, (ii) preparing test cases, (iii) coding and (iv) refining programs. 
7. Integration and Test – This stage is undertaken by Quality Assurance staff and demonstrates that the developed system conforms to the requirements as mentioned in the Functional Requirements Document.
8. Implementation – This includes the implementation of the system into a production environment and resolution of problems identified in the earlier Integration and Test phase. 
9. Operations and Maintenance – Once the application has been implemented, it is important to prepare a document that describes the tasks to operate and maintain the information system in a production environment, including in-process reviews. 
10. Disposition – This stage describes the end-of-system activities and emphasis is given to proper preparation of data.

Now that the SDLC life cycle was clear, Mukhraj went on to explain the key types of SLDC methods, including Waterfall, Agile, Incremental and Iterative, with special focus on Waterfall and Agile.

The Waterfall Model is a sequential phase-driven approach that focuses on completing one step before moving on to the next. A formal handover is given from one function to the next and the entire project is delivered in one single big bang. The advantages and disadvantages of this methodology were discussed in detail.

Next, we moved on to the Agile or Adaptive Model, where the entire system is not built at once, but rather develops incrementally.  Unlike the waterfall model, less time is invested upfront to document requirements, since the development is done sequentially. The key characteristic of agile software development is to collect customer feedback, which happens simultaneously during the process of development and implementation.

Towards the end, Mukhraj spent a lot of time on the role of a Business Analyst in each of these SDLC methods. Right from planning to design, development and implementation – the Business Analyst plays a key role in the development of any software or application. Once his session was over, he answered over a dozen questions from our curious and enthusiastic BA aspirants.

At Imarticus Learning, we have 2 programs that focus on how you can become a Business Analyst and play an integral role in the SDLC. Business Analysis Certified Professional (BACP) is our 75-hour classroom program that can be undertaken at our centers in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. The other offering is the Certified Business Analyst (CBA) program, which is a 33-hour online course. To know more about either of these programs, send us an email at info@imarticus.org