web analytics
benefits of sdlc

Benefits of SDLC (Pros and Cons Explained!)

by

What is SDLC?

Before we jump into the benefits of SDLC, let’s review what is SDLC. The Software Development Life cycle functions as a methodical, systematic process for creating software or a mobile application from quality, accuracy, and precision. The SDLC, which is regarded as an industry standard, essentially guarantees the quality portion of work and places an emphasis on the efficiency and accuracy of the final product. Customers expect high-quality software as a result of the SDLC process. The amount of time and money needed to finish the project depends on how strictly the SDLC guidelines are followed while creating the product. One can easily look ahead, plan in advance, and create the software of their vision thanks to a detailed plan and road map suggested by SDLC. The value and deliverables of each stage of the SDLC have an impact on the phases that follow.

The Basic Importance of the SDLC

  • Provides the structure upon which project planning and scheduling are based
  • Helps to estimate both costs and amounts of time
  • Includes the activities and deliverables associated with each phase of the project.
  • Increases both the overall project’s and the process of its development’s degree of openness
  • Improve the development’s rate while maintaining its precision.
  • Reduces the potential for risk and the amount of maintenance required throughout any given project.
  • Client relations are improved as a result of its defined standard.

 

Benefits of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

This is the most frequently cited benefits of having this structure for a design project, although there are countless other advantages of SDLC as well:

  • It elucidates the issue at hand as well as the desired outcome. When you take on a significant project, it is simple to get ahead of yourself in the process. You will be able to see the goals and the problems very plainly with the help of the SDLC, which will allow the plan to be carried out with accuracy and relevance.
  • Clarity can be found throughout the design of the project. The members of the project cannot advance from one stage to another until the stage before them has been finished and the project manager has given their approval. At the conclusion of each stage, a formal review is developed, which enables the project manager to exercise the greatest amount of management control possible.
  • It will first go through the appropriate testing procedures before being installed. Before moving on to the stage of installation, the installation portion of a project that is being carried out using an SDLC will first be subjected to the appropriate checks and balances, allowing for accurate testing of the component.
  • It is possible for a new member to step in and continue working on the project from the point where the previous member left off. The software development life cycle (SDLC) provides you with a paper trail that is well-structured and well-documented, and that is complete with records of everything that occurs throughout the course of the project.
  • If you do not have the SDLC, the loss of a member of the project team can cause you to fall behind schedule and may even cause the project to fail. If there is missing paperwork or the paperwork that is there is incomplete, the new member of the project will have to start from the beginning and may even have to alter the project in order to make sense of it. When the SDLC has been thoughtfully designed, everything will be in order, allowing a new member of the project team to continue the process without any complications.
  • If the deliverables are completed on time and without exceeding the budget, then the project manager has done a good job managing the project. When you have a well-organized plan in which you can clearly see all of the timetables and costs, it is much simpler to stick to a budget. An integrated system allows members of the project to submit their work, and the system will highlight anything that is overdue. If the project manager can reduce the amount of time spent on micromanagement, then they will have more time to devote to increasing productivity and efficiency.
  • The project may be iterated indefinitely until all of its components are flawless. The stages are designed to feed back into the stages that came before them, which gives the project more flexibility thanks to the SDLC model.
  • A software development life cycle is the answer to problems that arise during the planning and execution stages or phases of a project. It is the most effective method for ensuring optimal control, minimising problems, and enabling the project manager to run production without having to engage in excessive micromanagement of the project participants.

SDLC is an iterative process that starts with decision-making and continues all the way through to a full deployment. There are many different SDLC methodologies available, and each one has its own set of pros and cons. The following is a list of the additional advantages that the SDLC affords to both you and your team.

  1. PROPER DIRECTION FOR PROJECTS

It is mind-boggling how many projects and businesses are still not adhering to the software development life cycle (SDLC) process in this modern and digital age that we live in. The majority of software development projects utilise a method known as “fly-by-night,” which most of the time ends up producing results of poor quality. When a product is developed from scratch without any direction from a software development life cycle (SDLC), it is common for the resulting system to go over budget, be delivered late, and fall short of the end-user’s or customer’s expectations. It is even possible that it will bring about the failure of the entire project, which would be a nightmare for everyone involved in the project.

  1. BETTER SCOPE MANAGEMENT

Many teams struggle to stay motivated or maintain a positive morale as a result of the constant changes in the scope of their projects. They also suffer when solutions that are only a “bandage” are frequently used because the processes surrounding their work have been poorly implemented. When a SDLC is in place, the severity of this issue can be significantly cut down. The developers have access to a roadmap, which allows for better management of the project’s scope and reduces the likelihood that problems will arise during development. In spite of the fact that unforeseen problems will invariably arise during the process of developing software, sticking to a structured cycle will almost certainly reduce the frequency with which they do so.

  1. ASSISTS IN EVITING PROBLEMS DURING DEVELOPMENT

The absence of a software development life cycle (SDLC) almost always results in a number of problems, many of which will become more widespread as the development progresses. For instance, if the customer and the development team do not communicate effectively, the resulting system may not be tailored to the requirements of the person who will ultimately use it. There will be an effect on the development contractor’s ability to keep a follow-on contract if there is mistrust in the customer management staff. If you don’t have any fundamental processes or methodology concepts, you will probably end up with flawed deployments. This is something else to take into consideration. If you deliver an output that is unstable, it will have a negative impact not only on the reputation of the company, but also on the track record of the developers.

  1. STREAMLINES PROCESS

The shortcomings of a completed project can be discussed during the first step of a new SDLC process, which can do wonders for subsequent projects that have a scope that is comparable to the one being discussed. In order to assist the development team in removing steps from the development process that did not contribute in any way to the final product, it is helpful to conduct a review. It is possible to squander both time and effort by performing stages of a development process simply for the sake of carrying them out. On the other hand, eliminating unnecessary stages provides teams with multiple benefits, such as the ability to deploy the system earlier or the flexibility to address unanticipated issues further down the road.

  1. Potential issues are recognised right away.

Development teams are able to produce stable systems, ensure customers are kept informed, have a clear understanding of the task at hand, offer better estimates, and identify potential pitfalls early on in the course of the project when they follow a methodology that is well defined. Teams that strictly adhere to a software development life cycle will, over the course of time, become significantly better at identifying potential problems before they even arise. Because of this, they will not only be able to completely eliminate problems, but also develop better workarounds in the event that problems do occur.

Why Software Development Life Cycle is Important?

The software development life cycle contributes value to the software development process in a variety of different ways. It provides a helpful structure as well as a mechanism for the development of software applications. It is beneficial in the process of good planning prior to the beginning of the actual construction. Using the software development life cycle (SDLC), developers can investigate requirements. It contributes to the reduction of the astronomically high costs of development. When development is still in its early stages, cost estimates can be made, and costly mistakes can be avoided to a greater extent. It gives programmers the ability to create software products of a high quality. This is due to the fact that they follow a methodical approach, which enables them to test the software before it is made available to the general public. It provides a structure for determining whether or not the software is effective. This results in an even greater improvement to the software.

Possible Drawbacks of SDLC

The SDLC models may, however, have drawbacks, just like any other method of software development. These drawbacks have the potential to significantly impact the client’s ultimate decision. The following are some of the potential drawbacks of using a system for software development lifecycle:

  • The development of the project will take longer and cost more than expected.
  • It is imperative that every detail be outlined in advance.
  • a lack of adaptability especially in the final stages or phases of the project development
  • Due to the extensive amount of documentation
  • The appeal of a variety of specialised individuals
  • Strong participation on the part of the customer
  • It’s possible that some development teams aren’t equipped to handle the testing properly.

After weighing the benefits and drawbacks of SDLC, it is now abundantly clear that adopting this strategy will assist you in establishing an efficient project creating project and ensuring that you are always kept up to date regarding the development of the software being developed. In addition, the majority of the SDLC system’s drawbacks can actually be an advantage for the majority of the projects that involve detailed planning, more complex development, and stringent evaluation of progress. Because of these characteristics, the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is one of the most useful and efficient models for the successful launch of a software product.

Conclusion

SDLC is a helpful tool that is utilised in the process of developing high-quality software. Software developers are provided with a map of the development process by means of this instrument, which acts as a guide. The requirements of the client and the objectives of the organisation should both be taken into consideration when selecting a reliable SDLC model. When it comes to software development, developers can reap the benefits of the SDLC as long as they understand the requirements of the customer and adhere to the plan that has been established.

References

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Definition, Benefits. (2022, June 13). DevOps and Software Engineering Glossary Terms | Atatus. https://www.atatus.com/glossary/software-development-life-cycle-sdlc/

James, N. (2021, March 13). The SDLC: Benefits, Stages, And Models. dzone.com. https://dzone.com/articles/sdlc-software-development-life-cycle-benefits-stag

Guide to System Development Life Cycle. (2021, December 1). Intellectsoft Blog. https://www.intellectsoft.net/blog/what-is-system-development-life-cycle/