Development of the Information System (SDLC)

The system development life cycle (SLDC) is a conceptual model used in project management that
describes the stages involved in an information system development project. In general an SDLC
follows the following steps:
Understanding the Problem
The existing system is evaluated and problems are identified. This can be done by
interviewing users of the system. Since my system is new this step wasnt needed. The next
step is to determine the purpose for the system and what is required from it. For my system
I had to read the Assessment Advice and see what it required from the system. Once all
aspects were identified and understood a requirements report was made listing all things
needed such as study notes, past ICT work and a Gannt chart. In other systems, a system
analyst would be required to analyse the system and determine requirements as well as
plan the information system.
Planning
The aim of this stage is determine the solutions and then making a decision on which
solution to be designed and implemented. For my system there were 3 options, to use
Adobe Flash, Weebly or Adobe Dreamweaver. After estimating the time needed to make
each project, Weebly was most time efficient and effective. After a storyboard of what I
wanted the website to look like and what information I needed a Gannt chart was created
to manage the development of this project timely.
Designing
This is the stage where the planning designs are designed and built. Weebly was an easy
programs to learn and changes were made to the layout of the website to personalize it.
Using context diagrams, data flow diagrams, decision trees and decision tables could be
used to help with the designing except they werent needed in my system.
Implementing
My information system did not require the implementation stage as it was only intended for
personal use. There are however, four different methods of conversion:
Direct Conversion - old system is completely discarded and the new system takes
place completely
Parallel Conversion the old and new system operate together for a period of time
before the old system is discarded
Phased Conversion the gradual introduction the new system while the old system
is slowly replaced
Pilot Conversion the new system is installed to a small number of users and if it is
successful the new system will become available to all users
Testing, Evaluating and Maintaining
This is the very last stage of the SDLC and its aim is to identify and problems and fix them.
For my information system, the website was published to attempt all link, buttons and
documents were functioning accordingly. If not, changes were made to solve the problem.
Then I matched the system to my requirements report as well as the marking criteria to
ensure all needs were met. Evaluation of the system is performed to see what can be
improved, changed or what meets the needs of the requirements. My system does meet all
requirements. Maintaining the system is not necessary as this system isnt being
implemented. If it was, the systems needed regular maintenance to keep it functioning
correctly and errors will need to be recognised and fixed.