Introduction to SDLC: System Development Life Cycle

Dr. Dania Bilal

IS 582

Spring 2009

Phase 1: Planning & Selection

• Product identification and selection

• Product initiation and planning– Identify potential development projects– Classify and rank projects– Select projects for development

Phase 2: Systems Analysis

• Determine system requirements

• Select appropriate methods to elicit system requirements from users of system– Interviews, focus groups, surveys,

discussions, or other techniques

Phase 3: Systems Design

• Structure system requirements

• Modeling processes• Develop data flow diagrams (DFDs) based on

specific rules and guidelines that lead to accurate and well-structured process models.

• Use DFDs to support analysis of IS

Phase 3: Systems Design

– Use modeling and/or other techniques to represent data

• Process modeling – based on specifications• Conceptual data modeling – user oriented

• Select best alternative design strategy using both qualitative and quantitative methods

Phase 3: Systems Design

• Design the human interface– Design the interaction (dialogue)– Build a prototype– Perform usability testing– Design the database

Phase 4: System Implementation & Operation

• Implement system:– Design specifications are turned into working

computer code

• Test code for errors and other problems– Use a sample data set

Phase 4: System Implementation & Operation

• Install system

• Prepare documentation

• Train users of the system

• Provide support

• Maintain system on a regular basis

Software Engineering Process

• Components– Methodologies– Techniques– Tools

Methodologies

• Approaches taken by system developers to develop the information system– Qualitative (e.g., interviewing users)– Quantitative (e.g., collect data via direct

observations of users)

Techniques

• Based on methodology chosen– Qualitative vs. quantitative or both

• Processes or procedures followed to gather data about current and/or potential users– Design interviews, observations, focus groups

IS Tools

• Computer-aided software engineering (CASE)– Used to develop the software

• Draw diagrams, models, relationships among tasks, etc.

Class Activity

• Work in a group for 15 minutes

• Examine the SDLC

• Assess how the SDLC may apply to purchasing a product of your choice. This can be a house, car, computer, etc.