SDLC methodologies can often suit a team’s needs in the engineering of software.

Other methods to choose from can include SDLC, RAD, Agile, and Lean.

Each process differs in steps, creation, testing, and ability to modify initial plans.

Often considered the most rigid methodology, the steps of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) include pre-analysis, analysis, system design, programming, testing, implementation, and maintenance (Bourgeois).

Specifics incorporated into an SDLC during the planning phase allow control of minute details involved in developing software throughout and “waterfalls” with each step following the previous sequentially.

What Is At Stake?

Primarily, an SDLC is used when the software impact will be tremendous and applied to the development of large-scale software requiring input from multiple departments.

SDLC methodologies have been used across many industries and for many years to develop vast and varied applications successfully, so it is clear there now exist many best practices to ensure a state of the art SDLC approach.

One such best practice is gathering direct, primary feedback from involved stakeholders during the initial analysis and planning phase (Stackify).

It is essential to plan and create software that will meet the needs of all involved, especially with the regiment of an SDLC implementation. All stakeholders need a full preview of how the software will fit into the organization in its entirety and the ability to voice concerns and provide feedback where necessary.

Following this step minimizes the risk of mistakes or weaknesses that could leave the finished piece of software less than desirable or ineffective.

From State of the Art SDLC Methodologies to DevOps

The mindset allows for the incorporation of feedback at each step in the software development pipeline and helps to bring greater flexibility while still maintaining the core structure and benefits of an SDLC.

DevOps allow developers to execute quickly and effectively in their sphere of expertise while still upholding the security standards needed to maintain software and data integrity (Gupta).

Incorporating the latest SDLC advancements during software construction may be costly and tedious, but the tradeoff is high-quality software while still pushing for faster development timelines.

Choose Wisely

Although SDLC is widely applied, it may not be the best structure for software development in all instances, as its stiffness is not a suitable choice for applications where goals are not yet fully identified.

For example, if a small online retail store needs to create an app delivering shopping tools to coincide with their website catalog, a nimbler software development approach may work best. Customers would have a more significant part in suggesting product enhancement requests and reporting bugs.

Alternatively, software used by the government across different departments is a prime example of organizations that benefit from engaging SDLC as their software development methodology of choice.

An SDLC allows all department heads to approve the project and set expectations before programming — all while honoring the highest levels of security needed in today’s rapidly advancing world of complex, interconnected, targeted information systems (Allan).

With a focus on building a strong foundation, an SDLC continues to provide secure footing when choosing the right software development strategy.

Works Cited

Allan, Keri. “What Are the Biggest Career Trends in Cyber Security?” IT PRO, Dennis Publishing, 28 Oct. 1970, www.itpro.co.uk/security/34698/what-are-the-biggest-career-trends-in-cyber-security.

Bourgeois, David. “Chapter 10: Information Systems Development.” Information Systems for Business and Beyond (2019), 1 Aug. 2019, opentextbook.site/informationsystems2019/.

Gupta, Manish. “Mind(Set) Over Matter: How To Deliver Software Faster And Securely.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 6 Sept. 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/09/06/mindset-over-matter-how-to-deliver-software-faster-and-securely/.

Stackify. “What Is SDLC? Understand the Software Development Life Cycle.” Stackify, 6 May 2019, stackify.com/what-is-sdlc/.