Innovative Architects - The Seven Phases of the System-Development Life Cycle
Smartsheet - The Ultimate Guide to Understanding and Using a System Development Life Cycle
There is no one definition of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), but rather an understanding of what it is. SDLC is considered a phased project model that defines the organizational, personnel, policy, and budgeting constraints of a large scale systems project. The term “project” implies that there is a beginning and an end to the cycle and the methods inherent in a systems development life cycle strategy provide clear, distinct, and defined phases of work in the elements of planning, designing, testing, deploying, and maintaining information systems.
The seven steps of the SDLC are planning, system analysis, system design, development, implementation, integration and testing, and operations and maintenance. Although these steps are integral and known in the process, some sources differ on whether the cycle begins with planning or analysis (feasibility of the project). The three websites cited all have a similar topic, but different approaches. Smartsheet, for one, not only defines and discusses the cycle, it goes in depth on how to implement it and the virtues of a strong system. On the contrary, Veracode barely scratches the surface of the SDLC, and serves to provide basic explanations and definitions for broad answers -- most likely meant for a broader audience. Innovative Architects stands in the middle, offering an in-depth explanation and guidelines, but does not follow up as in-depth as Smartsheet.