Systems Development Life Cycle

The SDLC is a structured process used by organizations to design, develop, and test high-quality software.

Stage 1 Analysis

Before building, you must understand the problem. This involves Fact-Finding (interviews, observation, questionnaires) to define what the current system lacks.

Functional Requirements: Specific behaviors or functions the system must perform (e.g., "The system must generate a monthly sales report").
Non-Functional Requirements: Criteria that judge the operation of a system (e.g., "The database must be encrypted" or "Response time under 1 second").

Stage 2 Design

This stage focuses on the technical specifications of how the requirements will be met.

Inputs: Designing how data enters the system (Keyboard, Scanners, UI forms).
Outputs: Designing the results (PDFs, Screen displays, Control signals).
Processing: The specific logic, formulas, and calculations required.
Data Structures: Deciding how data is stored (SQL Tables, Arrays, Linked Lists).

Stage 3 Implementation

The phase where the actual construction happens. Key activities include:

Coding: Programmers write the software using the design specs.
Installation: Moving from the old system to the new one (Direct, Parallel, or Phased).
Training: Ensuring users know how to operate the new digital system.