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

So You Want to be a Business Analyst?

Pursuing a career in a fast paced, in-demand field, such as business analysis, may not seem like a challenge; however, competition for business analyst positions is pretty tough.

Even the most senior business analysts, the ones who qualify for the CBAP based on their years of experience across multiple knowledge areas, would probably qualify for less than the 50% of the business analyst job roles available in the job market today. They simply don’t have all the required skills.

If you are making a career transition, the stakes go even higher. Don’t expect to qualify for more than 20% of business analyst job roles.

At first this might sound hopeless. But let it sink in. Doesn’t that take the pressure off just a little? If one or two jobs stand out to you as, “I’m qualified to do that!”, then consider it your best working option in the short term.

Lets not lose sight of the fact that there are multiple paths leading to business analysis. Your professional experience counts in this career transition and the sooner you can move towards building relevant career experiences, the closer you will be to reaching your business analyst career goal.

If you are currently unemployed, watch out for roles that best match your current qualifications. In the short term, these will be easier to crack into. Since getting work experience is probably the biggest factor in successfully transitioning to a BA role, any job you take on gives you more opportunities than you have now.

If you are currently working, first consider whether or not you are already in a transitional role and can build on your BA experience and skill set by taking on relevant BA responsibilities.

If you are employed but lacking meaningful opportunities to practice BA tasks, then look at roles you are confident you could do, but that are also a bit of a stretch. These stretch roles will further expand your business analyst skills and give you more responsibilities, which you can then showcase to potential employers as relevant BA experience.

One of the best ways to differentiate yourself from the competition is to get trained and certified in business analysis. Imarticus Learning offers short term certification courses in Business Analysis, that culminate with an industry endorsed Business Analysis certificate. The program also prepares you to clear the CBAP exam, which is the gold standard for experienced Business Analysts.

Source: http://imarticuslearningeducationinstitute.weebly.com/home/so-you-want-to-be-a-business-analyst-zenobia-sethna