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Partido State University: College of Arts and Sciences Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Partido State University: College of Arts and Sciences Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Module 10
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE (SDLC)
I. INTRODUCTION
Successful IT research conduction requires proper planning and execution. While there are
multiple reasons and aspects behind a successful research completion, choice of best research
software development methodology is one of the most significant phase in software
development.
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a framework that defines the steps involved
in the development of software at each phase. It covers the detailed plan for building, deploying
and maintaining the software.
SDLC defines the complete cycle of development and all the tasks involved in planning,
creating, testing, and deploying a Software Product.
II. OBJECTIVES
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Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
SDLC is a process that produces software with the highest quality and lowest cost in the
shortest time possible. SDLC provides a well-structured flow of phases that help an organization
to quickly produce high-quality software which is well-tested and ready for production use.
The SDLC involves six phases as explained in the introduction. Popular SDLC models
include the waterfall model, spiral model, and Agile model.
Waterfall Model
In "The Waterfall" approach, the whole process of software development is divided into
separate phases. In this model, typically, the outcome of one phase acts as the input for the next
phase sequentially.
The following illustration is a representation of the different phases of the Waterfall Model.
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Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
Deployment of system − Once the functional and non-functional testing is done; the
product is deployed in the customer environment or released into the market.
Maintenance − There are some issues which come up in the client environment. To fix
those issues, patches are released. Also to enhance the product some better versions are
released. Maintenance is done to deliver these changes in the customer environment.
All these phases are cascaded to each other in which progress is seen as flowing steadily
downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases. The next phase is started only after the defined
set of goals are achieved for previous phase and it is signed off, so the name "Waterfall Model".
In this model, phases do not overlap.
Spiral Model
The spiral model combines the idea of iterative development with the systematic,
controlled aspects of the waterfall model. This Spiral model is a combination of iterative
development process model and sequential linear development model i.e. the waterfall model
with a very high emphasis on risk analysis. It allows incremental releases of the product or
incremental refinement through each iteration around the spiral.
The spiral model has four phases. A software project repeatedly passes through these
phases in iterations called Spirals.
Identification
Design
Construct or Build
Evaluation and Risk Analysis
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Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
Identification - This phase starts with gathering the business requirements in the baseline
spiral. In the subsequent spirals as the product matures, identification of system
requirements, subsystem requirements and unit requirements are all done in this phase.
This phase also includes understanding the system requirements by continuous
communication between the customer and the system analyst. At the end of the spiral, the
product is deployed in the identified market.
Design - The Design phase starts with the conceptual design in the baseline spiral and
involves architectural design, logical design of modules, physical product design and the
final design in the subsequent spirals.
Construct or Build - The Construct phase refers to production of the actual software
product at every spiral. In the baseline spiral, when the product is just thought of and the
design is being developed a POC (Proof of Concept) is developed in this phase to get
customer feedback. Then in the subsequent spirals with higher clarity on requirements
and design details a working model of the software called build is produced with a
version number. These builds are sent to the customer for feedback.
Evaluation and Risk Analysis - Risk Analysis includes identifying, estimating and
monitoring the technical feasibility and management risks, such as schedule slippage and
cost overrun. After testing the build, at the end of first iteration, the customer evaluates
the software and provides feedback.
Agile Model
Agile SDLC model is a combination of iterative and incremental process models with
focus on process adaptability and customer satisfaction by rapid delivery of working software
product. Agile methods break the product into small incremental builds. These builds are
provided in iterations. Each iteration typically lasts from about one to three weeks. Every
iteration involves cross functional teams working simultaneously on various areas like −
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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
Planning
Requirements Analysis
Design
Coding
Unit Testing and
Acceptance Testing.
At the end of the iteration, a working product is displayed to the customer and important
stakeholders.
Agile model believes that every project needs to be handled differently and the existing
methods need to be tailored to best suit the project requirements. In Agile, the tasks are divided
to time boxes (small time frames) to deliver specific features for a release. Iterative approach is
taken and working software build is delivered after each iteration. Each build is incremental in
terms of features; the final build holds all the features required by the customer.
Requirements Specifications
The requirements specification is a part of the BSIT Capstone project manuscript that
describes what the software will do and how it will be expected to perform. It also describes the
functionality the product needs to fulfill all stakeholders’ needs. Basically, the discussion of the
functions of the system is supported by Functional Diagram and Data Flow Diagram or Use case
diagram.
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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
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This part discusses the behavioral properties that the system must have. These behavioral
properties should follow the PIECES framework. PIECES framework focuses on the actual work
of doing requirements determination. This model is used to classify identified requirements into
one of six subject areas:
Performance
Information
Economy
Control
Efficiency
Services
Performance – this area address how the system needs to perform for the user. Issues of
throughput (the amount of work performed over some period of time) and response time
(the average delay between a transaction or user request and the response to that
transaction or user request) are considered. The questions about the needed response time
or throughput required on the network, the quality of print needed, or the need to have a
graphical user interface or a menu or text type of interface should be answered in this
part. It address the question "How does the system need to perform in this environment?"
Its answer can be multifaceted depending on the needs of the user.
Information and Data - this area provides the basis for the information or data model
that the system needs to maintain. Issues dealing with input data, output data, and stored
data are considered. The question about "What information is required by the users of the
system?" or "What outputs are required?" and "What do these outputs need to look like?"
should be to be addressed and answered in this part. Similarly, questions related to input
data required in order to produce the outputs are also included in this category, for
example, "What input screens are needed?" or "What is the source for the input (where
does it come from)?" and "Can the input enter the system with source data acquisition
equipment such as bar code scanners, laser guns, mouse, and so on?" Ultimately, the data
need to be defined with a high degree of detail.
Economy - This subject area addresses project development and operational cost
information along with any objectives that may relate to economy or savings associated
with the system. Questions related to, "What is the budget for this project?", "What is a
workable solution to the problem worth to the user of this system?", "What are some
anticipated cost savings associated with this system?" and "Are there current manual
activities that an automated solution to the problem may affect?" should be discussed in
this part.
Control – this area is closely associated with system security issues as well as the editing
required on the incoming data. For example, questions may be asked related to needed
accounting controls for some processes, or at what levels (workstation, user, screen, file,
data element, and so on) security is needed. Any issue related to controlling the use of the
system, its outputs and inputs, or required controls over the data can be included in this
area.
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Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
Conclusion
Research methodology simply refers to the practical “how” of any given piece of
research. More specifically, it’s about how a researcher systematically designs a study to ensure
valid and reliable results that address the research aims and objectives. In other words, the
methodology should justify the design choices, by showing that the chosen methods and
techniques are the best fit for the research aims and objectives, and will provide valid and
reliable results. A good research methodology provides scientifically sound findings.
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Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
IV. ASSESSMENT
1. The Methodology presents how a researcher systematically designs a study to ensure valid
and reliable results that address the research aims and objectives. Using the working
research title you conceptualized in module 3, write the Methodology (Chapter IV) of your
research study. Following the suggested format below, present your Chapter IV.
Research Title
Author/s
METHODOLOGY
Requirements Specifications (include a Functional (Write your preparation here.)
Diagram and Data Flow Diagram or Use Case Model)
Analysis (Use the PIECES Framework) (Write your preparation here.)
Design (Flowcharts, ERD, Data Dictionary and Prototype) (Write your preparation here.)
Development and Testing (Write your preparation here.)
Statistical Tools (Write your preparation here.)
V. REFERENCES
1. Importance of Research Design. Universal Teacher. Retrieved from
https://universalteacher.com/1/importance-of-research-design/
2. Bhosale, U. (2022). How to Choose Best Research Methodology for Your Study. Enago academy.
Retrieved from https://www.enago.com/academy/choose-best-research-methodology/
3. Thattamparambil, N. (2020). How to choose the research methodology best suited for your study. Editage
ensights. Retrieved from https://www.editage.com/insights/how-to-choose-the-research-methodology-best-
suited-for-your-study
4. Ritchey, R. C. (1994). The developmental research: The definition and Scope. Retrieved from
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED373753
5. McCombes, S. (2022). Sampling Methods: Types and Techniques Explained. Retrieved from
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/sampling-methods/
6. Bhandari, P. (2022). Data Collection | A Step-by-Step Guide with Methods and Examples. Retrieved from
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/data-collection/
7. Nibrad, G. M. (2019). The Importance of Statistical Tools in Research. Retrieved from
https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ijrss&volume=9&issue=11&article=006
8. Tutorials Point. SDLC-Waterfall Model. Retrieved from
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/sdlc/sdlc_waterfall_model.htm
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