The Lifecycle of Software Product in Software development

Introduction

Today in the fast progressing era of technology, the formation of software products is complex. This procedure is also known as “Software development Lifecycle” (SDLC). This process involves multiple stages. Each stage is very critical and important for the final product. To know how the system comes to life, you have to understand the lifecycle of software product in software development.

Software development is a long tour through which these products are brought to life. This lifecycle makes sure that the product developed from basic idea to strong functional tool. Each phase of software development needs correct planning, execution and constant improvement. Below are the steps of developing a software product.

Ideation and Conceptualization

Every significant development starts with an idea. The first step of software product development is thinking of an idea and brainstorming. What problem does the product solve? Who is the key target? What are the main characteristics? It is a very critical step that builds the base of the entire software development process. Below are some steps of conceptualization:-

• Birth of an idea
  Every product starts with identifying a problem or accepting chances. It could arise from several sources such as market research, customer feedback, technological advances and personal experience.
  
  
• Brainstorming and collaborative thinking
  When the first idea is in place the next step is brainstorming. It is a collective procedure where people come together and think of multiple ideas. Effective brainstorming sessions are characterized by open mindedness, creativity and divergent thinking.
  
  
• Feasibility and Viability Analysis
  It is not necessary that every idea in a brainstorming session is practical and applicable. That’s why it is important to analyze every concept against specific criteria. Criteria such as technical feasibility, market viability, business alignment and competitive landscape.
  
  
• Defining the concept
  With some good ideas, the next step is to define the concept of the product. This includes creating a clear and short product vision that defines its target. It includes problem statements, target audience, core features and value proposition.
  
  
• Prototyping and Validation
  Before performing full scale development, it is useful to make its prototypes. It allows us to imagine the concept. Also it allows us to collect feedback from stakeholders and users. There are different types of prototypes such as wireframes, mockups and interactive prototypes.
  
  
• Creating product roadmap
  Last step is to create a roadmap of products. It helps as a guide for the procedure of development. The roadmap includes short term goals, long term vision and resource allocation.
  

Planning and Requirement Analysis in Software Product in Software Development

Planning and requirement analysis is the base of software product in the software development process. This step is about to change a wide idea into a clear and actionable plan. Also it defines the exact need that the software must fill. Below are some steps of planning phase:-

• Defining objective and scope
  The first step in planning is to define the product’s objective. Defining its primary goals. Defining whether it is to solve issues or improve efficiency. Defining the scope is very important. It helps in preventing scope creep.
  
  
• Resource allocation
  Planning involves recognizing resources needed for the project. This includes human resource, technological resource and financial resource.
  
  
• Timeline
  Setting a real time is important. It includes breaking down projects into smaller tasks that are easy to manage and setting deadlines for each.
  
  
• Risk management
  Recognizing risk early can help in saving from trouble down. Risk can be related to technology, changes in the market and many more.
  

Steps of requirement analysis are as follows:-

• Collecting requirements
  This step includes communicating with stakeholders to understand their requirements and hopes. Stakeholders can be anyone such as clients, users or business analysts.
  
  
• Document Requirement
  Once the needs are collected, the next step is to make its documents neatly. This document helps as a reference point in the overall procedure of software development.
  
  
• Requirements validation
  This step guarantees that the documented requirements perfectly represent the requirements of stakeholders. This includes reviews, walkthroughs and prototypes.
  
  
• Creating a requirements specifications documents
  The last outcome of this step is a detailed requirements specification document. It acts as a blueprint of the development team.
  

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Design of Software Product in Software Development

This step converts needs into an organized plan. It involves architectural design. It explains all the structure of software and detailed design. User experience and user interface design also play an important role. It makes sure that software is user friendly. Following are some steps in designing phase:-

• Requirement Analysis
  It is very important to understand the needs deeply. It includes collecting full information about the need to use software and its user.
  
  
• System Architect
  This is the top quality structure of software. It defines how different parts connect and how data flows through the system. It includes decisions about the technology stack and database design.
  
  
• User interface design
  UI design pays attention to the shape and visual elements of the software. It includes creating wireframes and prototypes that explain the structure of the user interface.
  
  
• User Experience design
  UX design is about to develop an ideal experience for its user. It involves user research and usability testing. IT helps to understand user needs. It guarantees that design meets user requirements.
  
  
• Interaction design
  This explains how users connect with software. This step involves designing, locating and defining user workflows. It also makes sure that connections are natural and efficient.
  
  
• Prototyping and Wireframing
  This includes developing dependent models to test design concepts and collect comments. Wireframes are visual representations of UI.

Development

Development is the phase where the actual coding of software is done. Software developers write code to develop software. Normally, this phase is divided into smaller parts to ensure its progress. Teamwork and communication among the team members is important to face issues and combine different parts with any fault. Below are some steps of development process:-

• Setting up development environment
  Before writing code developers should create a workspace for development. Creating or setting environments include installing important software, arranging systems and creating storage.
  
  
• Designing the code structure
  A developer should design the structure of the code before writing it. It is very important to plan how the code will work. This includes some steps such as defining modules, creating interfaces and planning data structures.
  
  
• Writing Code
  When the code structure is ready, the developer can write a code. Writing code includes executing characteristics, sticking to coding standards and writing tests.
  
  
• Code reviews
  When the developer writes the code, then the next step is the review process of the code. Team members evaluate each other’s code to define its issues, improve the quality of code and share knowledge. Also they work on received feedback and make important changes.
  
  
• Combining Components
  When the different modules and parts are developed, developers combine all of them. This process includes combining modules, solving issues and continuous integration (CI).

Testing

Testing is an important step in software product development. Its purpose is to point out and fix bugs before software is released. Several types of testing is performed which includes unit test, combination test, system test and user acceptance test (UAT). The process of testing is as follow:-

• Planning test
  Explain the opportunity, target, resources and make a schedule for planning tests. Also make a detailed test plan document.
  
  
• Test Design
  Develop design for testing. This step includes creating test cases and conditions on the bases of needs.
  
  
• Test environment setup
  Setup the environment for the test. Arrange hardware and software that are needed for the test.
  
  
• Test Execution
  Now execute the test. It means to run the test conditions and prepare documents of outputs of the test.
  
  
• Defect reporting and tracking
  Identify the defects in the system. After identifying, report the defects and assign them for solving. Defect report should give information on impact issues.
  
  
• Test Closure
  Analyze the procedure of the test. After analyzing, prepare a test closure report. It will be the final test summary and testing procedure will be finished.

Deployment

When the software product passes all testing phases then it is ready for deployment. It is an important step in software development. This process includes installing the software in a live environment. In that environment it is used by users. 

This step also involves data migration, arrangement and setting essential infrastructure. In DevOps, constant deployment and combination are common. It permits faster and more frequent release. Below are some steps of deployment:-

• Preparation
  It is an important step for successful deployment. This step involves a series of pre-development activities to make sure everything is in place.
  
  
• Deployment
  During the process of actual deployment the software is installed and arranged in the target habitat. This phase varies on different types of deployment.
  
  
• Verification
  Verification of software product is very important. It is done to ensure that every function of software is performing well and according to expectations.
  
  
• Monitoring
  Constant monitoring is very important to find out and solve any problem that arises after deployment.
  

Maintenance

The process of software products does not end with deployment. Maintenance is an ongoing progress process which includes observing software for any issue. It also includes offering support to users and releasing updates. Regular updates guarantee that software is safe, efficient and compatible. Below are steps of maintenance phase:-

• Corrective Maintenance
  This step of maintenance involves pointing out and fixing bugs or errors which were not fixed during the testing phase. This makes sure that software is functioning as expected.
  
  
• Adaptive maintenance
  Adapting software to work with new hardware, operating systems or other software environments.
  
  
• Perfective maintenance
  Improving the software performance by improving code, algorithm or updating its infrastructure.
  
  
• Preventive maintenance
  This step includes improving the inner structure of software without changing its outer behavior to make future maintenance easier.

Conclusion

The lifecycle of software product in software development is a complicated process. This needs careful planning, teamwork and constant improvement. Every phase from the idea to maintenance plays an important role in providing top quality software. It should fulfill user requirements.  

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FAQs:-

1. What are software metrics?
   It is a quantitative measure of programs of software. It can be used for several things.
   
   
2. What is software engineering?
   It is the process of designing, developing, testing and maintaining software.
   
   
3. What is the biggest challenge in software development?
   The biggest challenge in software development is not having enough resource.