Web Development Life Cycle

Have you heard of the Software Development Life Cycle?

Chances are you have, but did you know that many of the principles that the SDLC can also be applied to web development?

Here is the software development life cycle:

Let us take that life cycle and apply it to Web Development:

Planning – In the planning stage, you begin by looking at what the company or individual may currently have in place.  Generally, you look through the project to see what can be improved or changed.  Most often the company is looking for something different or an update of their old website.  If the website is really old they generally want to scrap the old one and completely redesign.

Analysis – This is where you dig deep in what the company is looking for in their website and web systems.  You find out how the company uses the website to do business.  You further discuss what things the company or individual think are missing.  What could be improved or changed?  Take a closer look at the layout of the website.  What can be streamlined? Improved? Changed? Chucked completely?

Design – In this phase, an initial design is created and the company will take a look and generally, there will be multiple revisions before a final design is decided upon.

Implementation – In this phase of web development, the design of the website will commence.  In this phase generally, what will work from the initial design will be discovered and improved upon or changed as needed.

Testing and Integration – In this phase, all aspects of the website and its interactivity will be tested.  This includes any links or buttons to make sure they go where they are supposed to go.  This is also where any existing systems or new systems will be integrated into the website and tested for bugs.

Maintenance – In this phase, the website is continuously improved and updated as needed with up to date data and information.  Also in this phase, you will repeat the life cycle in general as you add new elements and implementations.