Difference Between SDLC and Agile

SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) is a kind of process which is followed for software or systems project in an Information Technology Organization. SDLC is a framework that defines the different steps or processes in Software Development Cycle. Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is also called as Application Development Life Cycle. The different steps involved in the Software Development Life Cycle are Planning, Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Maintenance. The Software Development Life Cycle process can be applied both to the hardware or software components or configuration to define its scope and lifecycle process. This Software Development Life Cycle will ensure to deliver efficient and high-quality software or hardware products to the end customer or clients to ensure high-quality products or services development in the hardware or software organizations. This will ensure in the smooth running of the businesses.

Agile is a methodology, whereas SDLC is a process used in the area of project management to carry out the process of the Software Development Life Cycle. Agile Software Development is an approach towards the software development lifecycle process where the customer’s requirements and solutions will be fulfilled by means of collaborative work of the multiple cross-functional teams and the end-users or the customers or the clients. It helps in the continual project deliverables, continual project improvements, instant changes, and rapid development. The Agile Manifesto was written at the beginning of the year 2001. A formal process was initially created and was later named as Agile.

Head To Head Comparison Between SDLC and Agile (Infographics)

Below are the top 9 comparisons between these both:

Key Difference Between SDLC and Agile

Both are recommended options in the business. Let us examine some of the key differences:

SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) is the process of design and development of a product or service to be delivered to the customer that is being followed for the software or systems projects in the Information Technology or Hardware Organizations whereas Agile is a methodology that can be implemented by using Scrum framework for the purpose of the project management process.
SDLC has different models such as the Waterfall model, Agile model, Iterative or incremental model, Spiral model, RAD – Rapid Application Development model, V-Shaped model and Evolutionary prototype model, whereas Agile contains a set of best engineering practices and best standards and also saves them money, increases predictability, reduces failure and improves the quality of the project being delivered.
SDLC contains LLD (Low-Level Design) and HLD (High-level Design), which are used to analyse and understand the project in a high level and low-level overview to different types of team members to the customers depending on the technical or business knowledge of the person whereas Agile model has different phases such as Planning, Requirements, Analysis, Design, Coding, Unit Testing, System Integration Testing, Non-Functional Testing, and Acceptance Testing.
SDLC will be easier to know or look at a glance to easily understand the project, whereas Agile is easier and simple to understand and use and implement.
SDLC has different models, and managing the parts of the project depends on the model, whereas Agile is easier to manage and flexible to the developers and the entire team.
SDLC describes all the activities to be performed for the delivery of successful project delivery, maintenance and support, whereas the Agile manifesto has different principles up to 12.
SDLC provides a systematic approach to building software towards successful product deliverables within the timelines, whereas Agile has faster development approach and speeds up the development process in an effective and efficient manner.
SDLC contains documentation that will be documented at each and every stage in detail to make clear progress visibility inefficient manner whereas Agile provides continuous integration and continuous delivery model by delivering the small changes in applications based on the requirements with frequents deliverables as per the dynamic requirement changes.

SDLC vs Agile Comparison Table

As you can see, there are many Comparison between SDLC vs Agile

The basis of comparison	SDLC	Agile
Definition	SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle) is a process that is used to manage a project in a smooth manner.	It is an iterative approach and methodology that is used in an SDLC process in Software Project Development.
Usage	It is used to create quality products in an efficient manner.	It is used as an incremental development approach to produce a quality software product.
Stages	There are different stages in the development process.	It will have different phases in its development model or methodology.
Platform	It supports any kind of product or software application development.	It supports any type of product by splitting into incremental builds.
Project Size	It suits for any size of a project	It suits smaller projects, especially.
Changes	It does not allow major changes after the initial stages of the project.	It allows rapid changes after the initial stages of the project or throughout the project phase, which will server dynamic requirements.
Approach	It has different approaches based on methodology.	It has a realistic approach to its development.
Managing	It depends on the methodology being followed.	It is easier to manage in an Agile model.
Flexibility	It depends on methodology if an Agile or Unified model or waterfall	It is flexible for the developers and the entire team as well.

Conclusion

SDLC is a process, whereas Agile is a methodology, and they both SDLC vs Agile are essential to be considered where SDLC has different methodologies within it, and Agile is one among them. SDLC has different methodologies like Agile, Waterfall, Unified model, V Model, Spiral model etc. The choice of selecting the methodology depends on the project’s requirement and size, and the same approach can be extended to the STLC, which is called the Software Testing Life Cycle.

The agile model mainly supports smaller projects to deliver quality projects within a short time and within budget. SDLC has different phases, and the phases can vary on the methodology, where Agile has different phases compared to other methodologies. The choice of methodology depends on the project and requirements and the team’s size, and the complexity & size of the project.

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