This structured overview provides both definitions and examples, helping clarify each phase of the SDLC

and various project management approaches. By understanding these concepts, organizations can better
plan and execute their software development projects successfully. If you need further insights into
specific areas or additional examples, feel free to ask!
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Phases

1. Initiation
Definition: The project's foundation phase where the idea is explored, and feasibility is assessed.
Key Documents:
 Project Proposal: Outlines objectives, scope, and benefits.
 Feasibility Study: Analyzes if the project can be successfully developed.
 Analysis: Identifies stakeholders and their interests.
Example: A company proposes to develop a new mobile banking app. The proposal highlights increasing
customer engagement as a primary goal. The feasibility study indicates that technical requirements can be
met, and stakeholder analysis shows key contributors include investors, customers, and the compliance
team.

2. Planning
Definition: Involves defining the project's scope, establishing timelines, budgeting, and identifying risks
and communication strategies.
Key Documents:
 Requirements Specification: Detailed description of functional and non-functional
requirements.
 Project Management Plan: A comprehensive guide covering scope, schedule, resources, and
budget.
 Risk Management Plan: Identifies risks and mitigation strategies.
Example: The mobile banking app requires users to check balances and transfer funds. The project plan
outlines a timeline of six months with a budget of $500,000 and includes a risk management strategy to
address potential security issues.

3. Design
Definition: The phase where the system architecture, interfaces, and user experiences are planned in
detail.
Key Documents:
 High-Level Design Document (HLD): Overview of architecture and components.
 Low-Level Design Document (LLD): Detailed descriptions of software components and
interactions.
 UI/UX Designs: Visual mockups of the software interface.
 Example: The HLD outlines the architecture of the mobile banking app, including modules for
authentication and transactions. The LLD specifies database tables for users and transactions, and UI
mockups display how the app will look, showing buttons and layouts.

4. Development
Definition: The actual coding process where developers build the software according to design
specifications.
Key Documents:
 Code Documentation: Comments and explanations within the code.
 Version Control Documentation: Records of changes and collaborative efforts using tools like
Git.
 Build and Release Notes: Documentation of build status and release features.
Example: Developers code the mobile banking app using React Native while following established
coding standards. Release notes summarize updates and fixes for each version deployed.

5. Testing
Definition: The process of validating that the software works as intended and meets requirements.
Key Documents:
 Test Plans: Strategies for testing the application.
 Test Cases: Individual tests planned to validate functionality.
 Bug Reports: Documentation of any defects found during testing.
Example: Testing the mobile banking app includes unit tests for functionality (like balance checks) and
user acceptance testing (UAT) with real users to confirm the app meets their needs. Reports show bugs
found during testing and their resolutions.

6. Deployment
Definition: The phase where the software is delivered to users.
Key Documents:
 Deployment Plan: A detailed procedure for launching the application.
 Release Notes: Information on application features and fixes upon release.
 User Manuals: Guides for end-users on how to use the application.
Example: The deployment plan for the mobile banking app involves a staged rollout, first to a pilot group,
followed by full launch. Release notes outline new features like improved security options, and user
manuals help customers navigate the app’s functionalities.

7. Maintenance and Support

 Definition: Ongoing support and updates provided after deployment to ensure the software remains
functional and relevant.
Key Documents:
 Maintenance Plan: Processes for addressing issues and updating the software.
 Base Articles: FAQs and troubleshooting guides.
 Change Request Log: Documentation of any changes or updates requested.
Example: Post-launch of the mobile banking app, a maintenance plan is established for quarterly updates.
Knowledge base articles are created for common user issues, such as password resets.

8. Evaluation and Closure

Definition: Final review and wrap-up of the project to assess success and document lessons learned.
Key Documents:
 Project Closure Report: Summary of outcomes, budget, and performance against goals.
 Lessons Learned Document: Insights gathered throughout the project.
 Meeting Minutes: Record of discussions during the closure meeting.
Example: After the mobile banking app is fully launched, the closure report states that all objectives
were met with positive user feedback. The lessons learned document highlights the importance of early
user involvement in testing.
Project Management Approaches

1. Waterfall Model
Definition: A sequential project management model with clearly defined phases, where each phase must
be completed before moving to the next.
 Best For: Projects with well-defined requirements and little to no expected changes.
Example: A government project requiring a secure voting system where the requirements are strictly
defined at the beginning. The team follows a linear path through initiation, planning, design,
development, testing, and deployment.

2. Agile Methodology
Definition: An iterative project management approach that emphasizes flexibility, customer
collaboration, and delivering small, functional increments of a project.
 Best For: Projects with evolving requirements where stakeholder feedback is crucial.
Example: A startup developing a new social media platform uses Agile to adapt to user feedback.
Features are prioritized and implemented in 2-week sprints, allowing for adjustments based on user
suggestions at the end of each cycle.

3. Scrum Framework
Definition: An Agile methodology that organizes work into time-boxed iterations called sprints, with
specific roles (e.g., Scrum Master, Product Owner) and ceremonies (e.g., daily stand-ups, sprint reviews).
Example: In a team developing a project management tool, daily stand-up meetings are held to discuss
progress, impediments, and plans for the day. Each sprint concludes with a review to showcase new
features to stakeholders.

4. DevOps Approach
Definition: A cultural and technical movement aiming to integrate development (Dev) and IT operations
(Ops) to improve collaboration and increase the speed of software delivery.
 Best For: Organizations wanting to enhance deployment frequency with fast feedback loops.
Example: An e-commerce company adopts DevOps practices allowing continuous integration and
deployment. Code changes are automatically tested and deployed to production, enabling weekly updates
to their online platform without disrupting users.