Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing and Maintenance Questions

Question 1

What is SDLC?

Accepted Answer

**SDLC** is a step-by-step process used to plan, develop, test, deploy and maintain an information system.

Question 2

What is feasibility study?

Accepted Answer

**Feasibility study** checks whether a proposed system is practical and worth implementing (technically, economically, legally, operationally and within time).

Question 3

Write the full form of TELOS.

Accepted Answer

**TELOS** = **Technical, Economic, Legal, Operational and Schedule** feasibility.

Question 4

What is system analysis?

Accepted Answer

**System analysis** is the study of the existing system to identify problems and collect detailed **user requirements** for the new system.

Question 5

What is UAT?

Accepted Answer

**UAT (User Acceptance Testing)** is testing done by end users to confirm that the system meets business requirements before final deployment.

Question 6

List the phases of SDLC (any six).

Accepted Answer

Phases (any six): **preliminary investigation**, **feasibility study**, **analysis**, **design**, **development**, **testing**, **deployment/conversion**, **maintenance**.

Question 7

Explain feasibility study in SDLC (TELOS).

Accepted Answer

A **feasibility study** evaluates whether a proposed system should be developed. It is commonly explained using **TELOS**:
- **Technical feasibility**: required hardware/software/skills available?
- **Economic feasibility**: cost–benefit analysis; will benefits justify costs?
- **Legal feasibility**: compliance with laws, licenses, privacy rules.
- **Operational feasibility**: will users accept it and can it work in real operations?
- **Schedule feasibility**: can it be completed within the required time?

If feasibility is positive, management gives a **go-ahead** to proceed with analysis and design.

Question 8

Differentiate between system analysis and system design (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Difference between **system analysis** and **system design**:
- **Focus**: Analysis = *what* the system should do; Design = *how* the system will do it.
- **Output**: Analysis produces **SRS/requirements**; Design produces **design specs**, database schema, module structure, UI formats.
- **Nature**: Analysis studies the existing problem and needs; Design prepares the solution blueprint.

Thus, analysis clarifies needs, while design converts needs into a workable plan.

Question 9

Explain types of testing in SDLC (any three).

Accepted Answer

Types of testing in SDLC (any three):
- **Unit testing**: testing individual modules/components to ensure each unit works correctly.
- **Integration testing**: testing combined modules to verify interfaces and data flow.
- **System testing**: testing the complete system end-to-end against requirements.
- **User Acceptance Testing (UAT)**: end users validate the system meets business needs.

Proper testing reduces errors and improves reliability before deployment.

Question 10

Explain conversion strategies used during system implementation.

Accepted Answer

Common conversion strategies during implementation:
- **Direct cutover**: old system stops and new system starts immediately (fast but riskier).
- **Parallel conversion**: old and new systems run together for a period (safer but costlier).
- **Pilot conversion**: new system is introduced first in one branch/department (controlled risk).
- **Phased conversion**: system is implemented module-by-module or unit-by-unit.

Organizations choose the strategy based on risk level, cost, and criticality of operations.

Question 11

Explain types of maintenance in SDLC (any four).

Accepted Answer

Types of maintenance in SDLC:
- **Corrective**: fixing bugs and errors found after deployment.
- **Adaptive**: modifying the system due to changes in environment (OS, policies, laws).
- **Perfective**: enhancing performance/usability or adding new features.
- **Preventive**: refactoring, security patching and improvements to avoid future failures.

Maintenance keeps the system useful and reliable over time.

Question 12

Explain the importance of documentation and user training in SDLC (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Importance of **documentation** and **user training** in SDLC:
- **Documentation** acts as a reference for features, procedures, controls and troubleshooting, making **maintenance** easier.
- **Technical documentation** helps new developers/DBAs understand the system architecture and reduces dependency on a few people.
- **User training** reduces resistance to change, improves correct usage, and increases user confidence.
- Proper training also reduces operational errors and ensures smoother adoption during deployment.

Hence, documentation + training improve system continuity and success of implementation.

Question 13

Describe the SDLC phases with a neat flowchart and brief explanation.

Accepted Answer

### **SDLC Phases**

**SDLC** provides a structured path to develop an information system from idea to operation.

```text
Problem/Need
   ↓
Preliminary Investigation
   ↓
Feasibility Study (TELOS)
   ↓
System Analysis (Requirements/SRS)
   ↓
System Design (Logical + Physical)
   ↓
Development/Implementation
   ↓
Testing (Unit → Integration → System → UAT)
   ↓
Deployment/Conversion
   ↓
Maintenance (Corrective/Adaptive/Perfective/Preventive)
```

**Brief explanation**:
- Investigation and feasibility decide whether the project should start.
- Analysis and design ensure the system matches user needs and has proper controls.
- Implementation and testing build a working system and remove defects.
- Deployment makes it live, and maintenance keeps it updated and reliable.

Question 14

Explain feasibility study using TELOS with a table and exam-style points.

Accepted Answer

### **Feasibility Study (TELOS) in SDLC**

A **feasibility study** is done to decide whether the proposed system is **practical** and **worth implementing**. It reduces risk by checking key constraints before investing heavy time and money.

| Type (TELOS) | Meaning | Typical question asked |
|---|---|---|
| **Technical** | technology, skills, infrastructure available? | Can we build it with available hardware/software? |
| **Economic** | cost–benefit and ROI | Will benefits exceed costs? |
| **Legal** | compliance with laws/licensing | Any privacy/cyber law restrictions? |
| **Operational** | user acceptance & fit with operations | Will staff use it and can processes adopt it? |
| **Schedule** | time feasibility | Can we deliver within deadlines? |

**Conclusion**: If TELOS is positive, management issues a **go-ahead**; otherwise the project is modified or rejected.

Question 15

Differentiate between direct, parallel, pilot and phased conversion with a comparison table.

Accepted Answer

### **System Conversion Strategies (Comparison)**

| Strategy | Meaning | Risk | Cost/effort | Best used when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Direct cutover** | old stops, new starts immediately | **High** | low | system is simple and risk acceptable |
| **Parallel** | old and new run together for some time | **Low** | **High** | system is critical (banking, payroll) |
| **Pilot** | implement first in one unit/branch | medium | medium | want controlled rollout and learning |
| **Phased** | implement module-by-module | low–medium | medium | large system with many modules |

Thus, organizations choose conversion based on **risk, criticality, and cost**.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing and Maintenance

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