The Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) is the structured process of developing software from inception to retirement. It defines all essential phases required to design, develop, test, and deploy software efficiently, ensuring high quality and alignment with business objectives.
Requirement Analysis – Identifies the problems that need to be solved and gathers business requirements.
Planning – Defines project scope, objectives, and estimated resources.
Design & Architecture – Creates blueprints and UI/UX designs to visualize the system.
Software Development – The actual coding process where developers implement the planned solution.
Testing & Quality Assurance – Ensures that the software functions as expected and meets quality standards.
Deployment – Releases the final software version to users.
Maintenance & Support – Provides updates, bug fixes, and ongoing improvements.
While SDLC defines the entire development process, Software Testing Lifecycle (STLC) focuses on testing activities to enhance product quality. STLC ensures that each development phase is tested properly before progressing further.
Understanding SDLC is crucial for software development teams to manage projects effectively. A well-structured lifecycle minimizes risks, improves efficiency, and ensures the delivery of high-quality software products.