Systems development life cycle guidance

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) emphasizes decision processes that influence system cost and usefulness. These decisions must be based on full consideration of business processes, functional requirements, and economic and technical feasibility in order to produce an effective system. The primary objectives of any SDLC are to deliver quality systems that: 1) meet or exceed customer expectations when promised and within cost estimates, 2) work effectively and efficiently within the current and planned information technology infrastructure, and 3) are inexpensive to maintain and cost-effective to enhance. This SDLC establishes a logical order of events for conducting system development that is controlled, measured, documented, and ultimately improved.

The US department of justice, published a document that extensively describes all phases of SDLC in detail. The primary audience for this guidance are the systems developers, IT project managers, program/account analysts and system owners/users responsible for defining and delivering IT systems, their staff, and their support contractors. Specific roles and responsibilities are described throughout each life cycle phase.

This document is very helpful as reference when devising your own SDLC and project management strategy.