Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Model is a process that outlines the stages involved in the development of software applications or products. This process comprises a series of structured activities, starting from the initial planning stages to the final deployment of the software. The primary objective of the SDLC model is to provide a framework for a structured, controlled, and systematic approach to software development, ensuring that the resulting software product is of high quality, affordable, and delivered within the stipulated time frame.

SDLC categorizes the development process into several phases, with each stage building upon the previous one. The following are the stages involved in the SDLC Model:

1. Planning

This is the first phase of the SDLC model, where project managers or software developers gather information about the project’s requirements, objectives, scope, and resources needed to achieve the desired results. The planning stage also involves assessing risks, defining the project’s goals, and creating a project plan.

2. Analysis

In this stage, the development team analyzes the requirements identified in the planning stage and identifies any shortcomings or issues that may arise during the development process. Clear and detailed documentation of the requirements is essential in the analysis stage.

3. Design

The design phase involves creating a system architecture that meets the requirements identified in the analysis stage. The design phase translates the functional requirements into a technical blueprint that identifies how the software application will be built.

4. Implementation

This is the phase where software development teams start to build the software application using the design blueprint as a reference point. The implementation stage is crucial as it is where the actual coding of the project takes place.

5. Testing

The testing phase is critical as it ensures that the software application meets the necessary requirements and performs as expected. In this phase, software testers execute a series of tests to verify that the software application functions correctly and is free of bugs and defects.

6. Deployment

Deployment is the final stage of the SDLC model, where the software application is released to end-users. In this phase, the software development team collaborates with the end-users to ensure a smooth and successful deployment. This stage includes training end-users, support staff, and setting up the necessary infrastructure to support the software application.