Editing Systems development life cycle (section)

=== System lifecycle ===
The system lifecycle is a view of a system or proposed system that addresses all phases of its existence to include system conception, design and development, production and/or construction, distribution, operation, maintenance and support, retirement, phase-out, and disposal.<ref>{{cite book |author=Blanchard and Fabrycky |title=Systems Engineering and Analysis, Fourth Edition |publisher=Prentice Hall |year=2006 |page=19}}</ref>

==== Conceptual design ====
The [[conceptual design]] stage is the stage where an identified need is examined, requirements for potential solutions are defined, potential solutions are evaluated, and a system specification is developed. The system specification represents the technical requirements that will provide overall guidance for system design. Because this document determines all future development, the stage cannot be completed until a conceptual [[design review]] has determined that the system specification properly addresses the motivating need.

Key steps within the conceptual design stage include:
*Need identification
*Feasibility analysis
*System requirements analysis
*System specification
*Conceptual design review

==== Preliminary system design ====
During this stage of the system lifecycle, subsystems that perform the desired system functions are designed and specified in compliance with the system specification. Interfaces between subsystems are defined, as well as overall test and evaluation requirements.<ref>{{cite book |author=Dr. Joahn Gouws |title=Introduction to Engineering, System Engineering |publisher=Melikon Pty Ltd |year=2007}}</ref> At the completion of this stage, a development specification is produced that is sufficient to perform detailed design and development.

Key steps within the preliminary design stage include:
*Functional analysis
*Requirements allocation
*Detailed trade-off studies
*Synthesis of system options
*Preliminary design of engineering models
*Development specification
*Preliminary design review

For example, as the system analyst of Viti Bank, you have been tasked to examine the current information system. Viti Bank is a fast-growing bank in [[Fiji]]. Customers in remote rural areas are finding difficulty to access the bank services. It takes them days or even weeks to travel to a location to access the bank services. With the vision of meeting the customers' needs, the bank has requested your services to examine the current system and to come up with solutions or recommendations of how the current system can be provided to meet its needs.

==== Detail design and development ====
This stage includes the development of detailed designs that brings initial design work into a completed form of specifications. This work includes the specification of interfaces between the system and its intended environment, and a comprehensive evaluation of the systems logistical, maintenance and support requirements. The detail design and development is responsible for producing the product, process and material specifications and may result in substantial changes to the development specification.

Key steps within the detail design and development stage include:
*Detailed design
*Detailed synthesis
*Development of engineering and [[prototype]] models
*Revision of development specification
*Product, process, and material specification
*Critical design review

==== Production and construction ====
During the production and/or construction stage the product is built or assembled in accordance with the requirements specified in the product, process and material specifications, and is deployed and tested within the operational target environment. System assessments are conducted in order to correct deficiencies and adapt the system for continued improvement.

Key steps within the product construction stage include:
*Production and/or construction of system components
*Acceptance testing
*System distribution and operation
*Operational testing and evaluation
*System assessment

==== Utilization and support ====
Once fully deployed, the system is used for its intended operational role and maintained within its operational environment.

Key steps within the utilization and support stage include:
*System operation in the user environment
*Change management
*System modifications for improvement
*System assessment

==== Phase-out and disposal ====
Effectiveness and efficiency of the system must be continuously evaluated to determine when the product has met its maximum effective lifecycle.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cunningham |first1=James |title=HERC Maintenance |url=https://www.hercbpm.com.au/ |url-status=dead |journal=Fargo |volume=XXI |issue=North Avenue |page=49 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121125359/http://hercbpm.com.au/ |archive-date=21 January 2013 |access-date=13 May 2009}}</ref> Considerations include: Continued existence of operational need, matching between operational requirements and system performance, feasibility of system phase-out versus maintenance, and availability of alternative systems.