COM 125 Introduction to System Analysis and Design Lecture Note 3

System Development Life Cycle

Introduction

Systems are created to solve problems. One can think of the systems approach as an organized
way of dealing with a problem. The subject system analysis and design mainly deals with the
software development activities. In a system the different components are connected with
each other and they are interdependent. The objective of the system demands that some
output is produced as a result of processing the suitable inputs. A well-designed system also
includes an additional element referred to as ‘control’ that provides a feedback to achieve
desired objectives of the system.

System Development Life Cycle [SDLC]

System life cycle is an organizational process of developing and maintaining systems. It helps in
establishing a system project plan, because it gives overall list of processes and sub-processes
required for developing a system.

System development life cycle also means combination of various activities. In other words we
can say that various activities put together are referred to as system development life cycle.

Systems Development Life Cycle [SDLC] is a process used by a systems analyst to develop an
information system, including requirements, validation, training, and user [stakeholder]
ownership. Any SDLC should result in a high quality system that meets or exceeds customer
expectations, reaches completion within time and cost estimates, works effectively and
efficiently in the current and planned Information Technology infrastructure, and is inexpensive
to maintain and cost-effective to enhance.
In the System Analysis and Design terminology, the system development life cycle can also be
called software development life cycle.

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COM 125 Introduction to System Analysis and Design Lecture Note 3

System Development Phases

Systems Development Life Cycle [SDLC] adheres the important phases that are essential for
developers for effective system design. The different phases of system development life cycle
include:

Preliminary Study
Feasibility Study
Detailed System Study
System Analysis
System Design
Build or Coding
Testing
Implementation
Maintenance

Preliminary System Study

Preliminary system study is the first stage of system development life cycle. This is a brief
investigation of the system under consideration and gives a clear picture of what actually the
physical system is? In practice, the initial system study involves the preparation of a
‘System Proposal’ which lists:

The Problem Definition

Objectives of the Study
Terms of reference for Study
Constraints
Expected benefits of the new system, etc. in the light of the user requirements.

The system proposal is prepared by the System Analyst [who studies the system] and places it
before the user management. The management may accept the proposal and the cycle
proceeds to the next stage. The management may also reject the proposal or request some

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modifications in the proposal. In summary, we would say that system study phase passes
through the following steps:

Problem identification and project initiation

Background analysis
Inference or findings [system proposal]

Feasibility Study

If the system proposal is acceptable to the management, the next phase is to examine the
feasibility of the system. The feasibility study is basically the test of the proposed system in the
light of its workability, meeting user’s requirements, effective use of resources and of course,
the cost effectiveness. These are categorized as technical, operational, economic, social and
schedule feasibility. The main goal of feasibility study is not to solve the problem but to achieve
the scope. In the process of feasibility study, the cost and benefits are estimated with greater
accuracy to find the Return on Investment (ROI). This also defines the resources needed to
complete the detailed investigation. The result is a feasibility report submitted to the
management. This may be accepted or accepted with modifications or rejected. The system
cycle proceeds only if the management accepts it. In short, the following decisions are taken in
different feasibility study:

Economic Feasibility: The likely benefits outweigh the cost of solving the problem which is
generally demonstrated by a cost / benefit analysis.

Operational Feasibility: This specifies whether the problem can be solved in the user’s
environment with existing and proposed system workings.

Technical Feasibility: This shows whether the problem can be solved using existing technology
and resources available.

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Social Feasibility: This shows whether the problem can be solved without causing any social
issues or the system will be acceptable to the society.

Organizational Feasibility: This shows whether the proposed system is consistent with the
organization’s strategic objectives.

Detailed System Study

The detailed investigation of the system is carried out in accordance with the objectives of the
proposed system. This involves detailed study of various operations performed by a system and
their relationships within and outside the system. During this process, data
are collected on the available files, decision points and transactions handled by the present
system. The tools used for detailed system study are:

Interviews
On-site observation
Questionnaire
Record View
Observation
Sampling

Using the below steps, it becomes easy to draw the exact boundary of the new system under
consideration:

Keeping in view the problems and new requirements

Workout the pros and cons including new areas of the system

All the data and the findings must be documented in the form of detailed data flow diagrams (DFDs),
data dictionary, logical data structures and miniature specification. The main points to be discussed in
this stage are:

 Specification of what the new system is to accomplish based on the user requirements.

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 Functional hierarchy showing the functions to be performed by the new system and
their relationship with each other.
 Functional network, which are similar to function hierarchy but they highlight the
functions which are common to more than one procedure.
 List of attributes of the entities – these are the data items which need to be held about
each entity (record)

System Analysis

Systems analysis is a process of collecting factual data, understand the processes involved,
identifying problems and recommending feasible suggestions for improving the system
functioning. This involves studying the business processes, gathering operational data,
understand the information flow, finding out bottlenecks and evolving solutions for overcoming
the weaknesses of the system so as to achieve the organizational goals. System Analysis also
includes subdividing of complex process involving the entire system, identification of data store
and manual processes.

The major objectives of systems analysis are to find answers for each business process: What is
being done, How is it being done, Who is doing it, When is he doing it, Why is it being done and
How can it be improved? It is more of a thinking process and involves the creative skills of the
System Analyst. It attempts to give birth to a new efficient system that satisfies the current
needs of the user and has scope for future growth within the organizational constraints. The
result of this process is a logical system design. Systems analysis is an iterative process that
continues until a preferred and acceptable solution emerges.

Assignment
1. What is the major objective of a system?
2. What is the name and purpose of the additional element in a well-designed system?
3. Briefly explain the term System Development Life Cycle.
4. Highlights the phases of SDLC.
5. What are the elements of a system proposal?

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6. Enumerate the steps by which system study phases passes through.

7. Define the term feasibility study and highlights its categories.

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