System Development Life Cycle

A system development life cycle (SDLC) is ôthe overall process of developing information systems through a multistep process from investigation of initial requirements through analysis, design, implementation and maintenanceö (Kay 2002). There are varied methodologies and models for developing SDLCs, among them the waterfall model, rapid application development (RAD), and joint application development (JAD), all of which follow a series of prescribed steps. The methodology provides a way to evaluate the existing system; define new system requirements; design, develop, and implement the new system; and maintain it (ôSystems Development Life Cycleö).

Although many systems have been developed ôby the seat of the pants,ö without using any formal methodology, historically methodologies have proven to be very beneficial. A primary benefit is thoroughness. Without a methodology, it is extremely likely that something will be overlooked, omitted, or improperly linked to the rest of the system. A methodology takes the analysts and developers through prescribed steps that ensure that everything that needs to be included in the design gets in. By the same token, this thoroughness improves the quality of the resulting system, the second benefit. Informally developed systems, especially prototyped systems, often suffer from deficiencies that occur because the design was not planned completely but just thrown together in a rapid deve

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