Higher Computing
Software Development
Software Development Process
There are 7 main stages involved in developing a
new software program:
 Analysis
 Design
 Implementation
 Testing
 Documentation
 Evaluation
 Maintenance
Software Development Process
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An Iterative Process
The whole Software Development Process is described
as an Iterative process.
This is because each stage may be revisited or
repeated until it is correct. In this way the final solution is
continually being refined.
An example of this would be where an error is found
during the Testing stage resulting in the Implementation
or even the Design stage being repeated.
Personnel Involved in the SDP
Client – or the customer requests the software and
describes the scope and boundaries of the problem to
the Systems Analyst.
Systems Analyst – agrees with the client the detailed
specification of the software to be produced and
documents these findings as the Software
Specification.
Project Manager – is responsible for the overall
project by liaising between the Client, the Analyst, the
Programmers and the Testers and makes sure
deadlines are met.
Programmers – are responsible, usually as part of a
team, for converting the program design into a
working solution in program code.
Independent Test Group – carries out testing of the
program produced by the programmers. They may
also be involved in testing the final program when it is
installed for the client.
Analysis
This stage involves the Analyst extracting from the
Client exactly what the program has to do.
This process is known as Requirements Elicitation.
The Analyst may interview the Client, observe how
the current business system works, make
observation notes and inspect all relevant paperwork.
The result of the Analysis stage is a document known
as the Software Specification. It is a legally binding
document.