Introduction
Systems Development Life Cycle entails a series of five steps that are employed in the development of software system, a hardware system, or both. During the phases, there are questions that must be answered to ensure that successful implementation of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Thus, this critique evaluates a checklist of basic questions regarding the recordkeeping and records management of respective phase in the cycle.
System Analysis
The checklist questions in this phase include:
Does the management know how the system is expected to perform and the whole composition of the system?
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Is there documentation about the required communication channels among the stakeholders in this phase?
Has the management documented the feasibilities studies regarding technology, socially and economically?
Do the records clearly define the vision of the finished system along with the functionality?
In regards to the above questions, this phase requires that the requirements of the client’s needs to be recorded concerning the performance and specifications.
Systems Design
In this phase, the main questions include:
Are there clearly defined and recorded customer requirements to determine the design in regards to system security, architecture, and other elements?
Is there proper description and documentation of the required features with sufficient detail?
Is there a documentation o f all the stakeholders to be involved in the design?
This entails description of the operations and how the design functions. The systems design mainly entails screen layouts, process diagrams, data dictionary, pseudo codes, and business rules, among others. The initial inputs are identified and other design elements are made available through other processes. In this phase, it is imperative that it carried out carefully to guarantee client dissatisfaction with the system. The dissatisfaction will result in loss of clients to competitors.
System Implementation
The questions in this phase include:
Does each of the stakeholders have a documented role?
Are all the corrective measures recorded to ensure the success of the system?
Is the implementation recording being done at the clients premises?
In the implementation process, is the training of the stakeholders done?
Has those responsible for training been recorded and the training properly documented?
This is among the most critical phase of the SDLC because it is developed after comprehension of all the requirements. This involves the actual development of the system. Thus, inability of the respective stakeholders to play their role effectively results in failure of the system. Teamwork plays a critical role and all the processes need to be recorded and corrective action to ensure that the system is developed in the right manner (Lang, 2008).
System Evaluation
The questions in this phase are:
Are the systems that have been combined compatible and problem recorded?
Are there recorded on how the system can be improved in the future?
Does the documentation of the evaluation reveal a high degree of client satisfaction or not?
Are the actual results similar to the documented expected results?
This is another critical phase of SDLC that determines whether the system is a success or failure. This phase is carried out by actual users of a team of specialists. The evaluation determines whether the client is satisfied with the system or not.
System Maintenance
The questions in this phase include:
Have those responsible for the maintenance documented?
Has the maintenance schedule been documented?
What updates of the software and hardware is documented?
This phase is important because it ensures that the client remains relevant while using the system. Inability to maintain the system will result in the system become obsolete and that will make the firm lose its clients. The maintenance needs to be scheduled and the personnel required to execute the practice identified.
Conclusion
In software engineering, systems engineering and information systems, the System Development Life Cycle entails these phases; systems analysis, design, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance. During the phases, configuration of various systems takes place because each is clearly defined to guarantee high quality systems that meet the client’s requirements. The phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle are complex and may employ different methodologies that may entail rapid prototyping, waterfall, and agile software development, among others. Based on the questions it is evident that each phase is very important in the SDLC. Inability by the stakeholders to play their role correctly in respective phases results in failure of the SDLC.
References
Lang, M. (2008). The inter-networked world: ISD - theory, practice, and education . New York: Springer.
