SDLC Interview Questions & Answers (2025)

SDLC is short for the Software Development Life Cycle. It is basically a software development process, which provides a clear architecture or model for the management and creation of the software. It helps in strategizing our actions based on our desired plan.

There are five models that are being used in SDLC namely:

• Waterfall model
• Rapid Application Development(RAD) model
• Iterative model
• Spiral model
• Agile model

Some of the major benefits of using the V-model

• It provides us with the early growth of test plans, making it more successful.
• It works fairly well even with low scale projects with fewer requirements.
• It is very straightforward and requires comparatively fewer efforts.

When a model goes through various rectifications for the search of errors existing in the software. There are many techniques now for this particular phase and can be customized as per one's needs.

The design phase aids us to specify requirements concerning with software and hardware. It also provides with the facility of describing the complete structure or architecture of the given project.

Waterfall model follows a very systematic approach. It does not direct elsewhere, following in a particular sequence. It only begins with the next stage once the former stage has been completed. This method follows a very clear path from the beginning to end. Each step is effectively planned. There are various steps involved in this model making it even more efficient.

The various advantaged of the agile model in an SDLC are as follows;

• It is fairly simple and requires less effort to learn, use and execute.
• It has speedy deliverables which are scheduled by looking on to sprints which ensure best quality deliverables
• It works best in both cases, be it smaller or larger, easy or complex projects ending up in the efficient project deliveries.

Although it is a very efficient model, still there are some drawbacks that are listed below:

• It is not so convenient when it comes to complex projects in which demands are not clearly stated.
• As we know it follows a sequential approach, it is not possible to go back to any step which can result in problems sometimes.
• No service is delivered until the last step is executed.
• The testing phase can also only be done when the last step is executed and not consecutively.

The demands or needs of a project are taken into consideration in terms of data and output, profit analysis and plan of the project. Basically, bringing out all the requirements.

It is basically a procedure which involves refining and documenting the needful. It serves as an agreement between the developer and the consumer. It includes all kinds of requirements that a project has like design, software, hardware, and functions.

It is a model prepared for reviewing a part of the software to gain knowledge and a clear view of the upcoming requirements. This process is also repeated to produce a new update of the software for every period of the project.

The following are the levels in CMM

• Initial
• Managed
• Defined
• Quantitatively Managed
• Optimizing

The various type of prototype models are

• Patch-Up Prototype
• Non-operational Prototype
• First-of-a-Series Prototype
• Selected Features Prototype

The Big Bang model obeys no particular process, and a very few amounts of time is spent on planning. Even the consumer is not certain about what exactly they want and the requirements are implemented. This is typically used for petty projects and not suitable for complex projects.

The Deployment phase is the product is delivered for consumer needs.