6 Basic SDLC Models: Which One is the Best?

6 Basic SDLC Models: Which One is the Best?
6 Basic SDLC Models: Which One is the Best?

Introduction

In this article, you will learn about basic system development life cycles or SDLC models and how they have evolved over the years to render the development phase more time-efficient and effective.

We use various tech applications to simplify significant aspects of our lives and save time. The numerous apps for checking weather conditions, streaming music, and requesting a cab have transformed many of those aspects for the better.

Have you ever thought about how these tech applications come to be, how they evolve from innovative concepts to functional software?


You must know about the methodologies in the device development life cycle to understand how software developers approach the development phase and bring those applications to life.

What is SDLC?

System development life cycle, abbreviated as SDLC, is a project management model that outlines the steps involved in taking a project from start to finish. Software development teams, for example, use several models of system development life cycle, such as waterfall, spiral, and agile methods.

Phases of SDLC

SDLC outlines various phases (or steps) of the development process. Users can see and consider what processes are involved within a specified phase when using the life cycle method. SLDC is often used to inform users of procedures that can be replicated at any point or a prior stage that can be reworked, whether to modify or improve a system. The different phases of SDLC are

  • Planning
  • Requirement gathering and analysis
  • Design
  • Implementation or coding
  • Testing
  • Deployment
  • Maintenance

Advantages of SDLC

  • After each stage, a formal review is developed to allow full managerial power.
  • This approach generates a large amount of system documentation.
  • This documentation guarantees that device specifications are linked to specific business requirements.
  • SDLC creates several intermediate products that help in determining if they satisfy consumers’ demands and meet their requirements. These can be improved, if necessary, which means that the company receives just what it requires.

Disadvantages of SDLC

  • While it may appear to be a big issue to many, the end-user may not see the answer until the device is almost full.
  • Users receive a system that satisfies the developers’ understanding of the need; but, this might not be required. There could be a translation error.
  • Another downside to a programme or device that adheres to the SDLC programme is that it promotes rigid execution rather than innovation. Certain specifications must be fulfilled.
  • Documentation is costly and time-consuming. It’s often tough to stay up to date. What is new this month may not be the same next year!
  • Users cannot quickly analyse intermediate products to determine if a specific product (e.g., data flow diagram) satisfies their business requirements.

What are the different SDLC models that you can implement? Let us take a look.

Top 6 SDLC Models with Application

These are the most popular SDLC examples or SDLC models.

1. Agile: It focuses on iterative and incremental growth, with specifications and strategies evolving through cross-functional team collaboration. It can be used where the consumer requires a practical requirement completed in fewer than three weeks, and the conditions are unclear.

This approach would then result in a more valuable and usable piece of software being made available sooner, which would improve consumer loyalty.

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Application: Teams can be clustered into focused performance groups as per SDLC Agile model.

2. Lean: Agile and lean practices are inextricably linked. They both emphasise the pace of execution and quality improvement. The lean paradigm is based on industry best practices, where excess waste and effort are seen as the greatest challenge to an enterprise.

Application: Anything that doesn’t add value to the customer is a waste. Lean methodology is used to eliminate this kind of waste.

3. Spiral: The Spiral model, among the most adaptable SDLC models, derives its inspiration from the Iterative model and its repetition. A project proceeds through four stages (planning, risk mitigation, engineering, and evaluation) in a “spiral” fashion until completed, which allows several rounds of refining.

Application: Spiral methodology is used when product releases are frequent.

4. Increment: The incremental model is a series of waterfall cycles. At the outset of the project, the specifications are split into groups. SDLC models are used to design applications for each group. The SDLC process is replicated, and each update includes new features till all the specifications are fulfilled.

Application: The increment model can be used if a project has a lengthy development schedule.

5. DevOps: It is among the most recent SDLC models, and it is being embraced by a growing number of tech firms and IT organisations. As the name implies, DevOps brings together production and operations teams to streamline implementation and support.

Application: Microservices and continuous delivery can let teams take ownership of services using DevOps.

6. V-Model: It is designed in parallel in this form of SDLC models testing and production. As a result, there are authentication stages on the one hand and confirmation phases on the other. V-Model is joined during the coding process.

Application: The V-Model can be used for small to medium-sized projects with well-defined and set parameters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many SDLC models are there?

There are six commonly known SDLC models: Agile, Lean, Spiral, Increment, DevOps and V-Model.

What are the five stages of SDLC?

Each system is distinct in terms of complexity, required components, and anticipated solutions and functionalities. The SDLC stages are listed below.

1. System Planning
2. System Analysis
3. System Design
4. Implementation and Deployment
5. System Testing and Integration

Which are the best SDLC models?

The most successful software development life cycle model is Agile. 

Is SDLC Waterfall or Agile?

Agile and waterfall are both SDLC models that have gained popularity in the IT sector. Waterfall and agile both encourage organisations to adhere to such operating standards—but the implementation often deviates from the principles. 

Is SDLC a methodology?

The SDLC refers to a methodology for developing high-quality software that includes well-specified procedures. The SDLC approach emphasises the following stages of software development in detail:

1. Requirement analysis
2. Planning
3. Software design such as architectural design
4. Software development
5. Testing
6. Deployment

What’s the distinction between SDLC and Scrum?

Scrum is a product-focused business-oriented methodology. SDLC only deals with the product development cycle, while scrum is a system similar to the waterfall concept. Most people are confused by SDLC and Waterfall models.

Which one is the longest SDLC phase?

The SDLC maintenance phase is the longest of all the stages. 

Key Takeaways

The most common SDLC model is Agile. Agile is highly adaptable, distinguishing it from many other SDLCs. Other SDLCs are predictive and depend on careful preparation, specification, and study, making change execution challenging. The waterfall method is also often regarded as the most common SDLC method among people. However, before making a selection you should weigh the pros and cons of each SDLC methodology as per your requirements.