Professional Development - Software Life Cycle

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Professional Development > Software Life Cycle

The Software Life Cycle Model provides a framework for the life cycle of a computer system from initiation, development and maintenance. In order to ensure the developed system meet the business needs, work properly, be effectively developed and be well maintained, standards and guidelines are essential through out the whole Software Life Cycle. The purpose of this document is to introduce the Software Life Cycle Model adopted in OGCIO, together with the established set of standards and guidelines.

The Software Life Cycle Model adopted in OGCIO is depicted below. The model is composed of the System Development Cycle and the System Maintenance Cycle. The System Development Cycle covers a number of phases starting from Project Request, Feasibility Study, Systems Analysis and Design, Implementation and Post Implementation Review. The System Maintenance Cycle covers the System Maintenance phase. A comprehensive set of standards and guidelines has been established for supporting different activities of the whole Software Life Cycle including project management, system development (either by Structured Systems Analysis and Design, Rapid Application Development or Object Oriented Methodology), software testing, maintenance, quality management, resources estimation, software configuration management, etc.

Software Life Cycle Model

An iterative process of the following steps :
Project Request --> Feasibility Study --> Systems Analysis & Design --> Implementation --> Post Implementation Review --> System Maintenance

And its related skills and guidelines:
Project Management
Structured Systems Analysis and Design
Rapid Application Development
Object Oriented Methododlogy
Software Testing
Maintenance Guide
Quality Management
Resources Estimation
Software Configuration Management
Other Standards & Guidelines

Project Request
To request for an IT solution, the user department should submit an Initial Request Statement (IRS). The IRS will be assessed and decision will be made on whether the project should proceed to the next phase or not

Feasibility Study
To assess the feasibility of an IT solution and to quantify the requirements, scope, costs, benefits and other implications of the proposed solution

Systems Analysis and Design
To investigate the existing system, to specify the new system, and to detail the implementation requirements by performing Systems Analysis and Logical System Design

Implementation
To implement the findings of the SA&D by performing Physical System Design, Program Development, various kinds of testing, installation and Project Evaluation Review

Post Implementation Review
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an implemented system and assess whether the system has achieved its agreed objectives and realized the intended benefits in a timely manner

System Maintenance
To ensure the performance and functionality of the system match with the business needs of the users by on-going monitoring and maintenance

Depending on the complexity and nature of the computerization project, project teams of OGCIO should have the flexibility in the adoption of the above standards and methodologies. If the standards and methodologies are adopted, the level of details and the extent of using them could be tailored to suit different project situations and needs. Besides, combined phases approach e.g. combined Feasibility Study / Systems Analysis & Design could be adopted.

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