How is System Development Life Cycle different from System Design Life Cycle?

Let’s explore the key differences between the System Development Life Cycle and the System Design Life Cycle in a more narrative form:

• Scope:
  • System Development Life Cycle: Encompasses the entire process of developing and managing an information system, from initial planning to system retirement and maintenance.
  • System Design Life Cycle: Focuses specifically on the design aspect within the broader System Development Life Cycle. It deals with the detailed planning and creation of system architecture, components, and modules.
• Phases:
  • System Development Life Cycle: Comprises various phases, including planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance. Each phase contributes to the overall development and management of the system.
  • System Design Life Cycle: Emphasizes phases such as preliminary design, detailed design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. The primary focus is on the detailed planning and creation of design specifications.
• Emphasis:
  • System Development Life Cycle: Provides a comprehensive framework for the entire system development process. It addresses aspects beyond design, including user requirements, system functionality, coding, and ongoing maintenance.
  • System Design Life Cycle: Concentrates on the design aspect, specifically creating detailed specifications for system components, architecture, and user interfaces. It places a strong emphasis on the planning and structuring of the system.
• Objective:
  • System Development Life Cycle: Aims to guide the development process from the conceptualization of the system to its implementation, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance.
  • System Design Life Cycle: Aims to create detailed design specifications and plans that serve as a blueprint for the development team. It focuses on translating high-level requirements into actionable design elements.
• Involvement:
  • System Development Life Cycle: Involves a wide range of stakeholders, including users, business analysts, developers, testers, and maintenance personnel, across various phases of the life cycle.
  • System Design Life Cycle: Primarily involves designers, architects, and developers in the creation of detailed design specifications and plans. Collaboration with other stakeholders occurs, but the emphasis is on the design team.
• Iterations and Feedback:
  • System Development Life Cycle: Embraces an iterative approach with feedback loops to accommodate changes and improvements throughout the life cycle. Users and stakeholders are involved in providing continuous feedback.
  • System Design Life Cycle: Is also iterative, with the design evolving based on feedback from testing, integration, and the need for design adjustments.
• Output:
  • System Development Life Cycle: Outputs a fully developed, tested, and maintained information system that meets user requirements and business objectives.
  • System Design Life Cycle: Outputs detailed design specifications, architectural plans, and guidelines that serve as a basis for the development team to implement and test the system.
• Timeframe:
  • System Development Life Cycle: Spans the entire life cycle of the system, and the timeframe can vary from months to years, depending on the complexity of the project.
  • System Design Life Cycle: Focuses on the design within shorter timeframes, as part of the broader system development process.

In essence, while System Development Life Cycle provides a holistic view of the system development process, System Design Life Cycle narrows its focus to the detailed planning and creation of the system’s design components. Both are integral to successful system development, with the latter playing a crucial role in translating high-level requirements into actionable design elements.

The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) provides a well-structured framework that gives an idea, of how to build a system. It consists of steps as follows – Plan, Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement and Maintain. In this article, we will see all the stages of system development.

We will delve into the significance of each stage, emphasizing the critical role played by System Design in the overall process.