ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) which has specific phases that all will go through at one time or another. The standard phases of the SDLC are: requirements; analysis, or specification; design; configuration, construction, or development; validation, or testing; installation, or deployment; operations and maintenance, or support; and retirement, or disposition. The project manager may only be involved at specific times during a software's lifecycle. The Waterfall Model is the original SDLC model. The advantages of the Waterfall Model include a disciplined approach that is enforced through the required documentation and verification for each phase. The Incremental Model builds software during each of the steps. Each step, or increment, goes through the same processes until the final system is complete. Agile software development allows for requirements and deliverables to evolve through a collaborative approach. This allows for adaptive planning and early deliverables and encourages rapid and flexible responses to change.
