A Description of the System Life Cycle, Research Paper Example

The implication of system life cycle is a sequence that engrosses some stages that are forms the framework of an information system that has been initiated in the organization (Lundteigen, Rausand, & Utne, 2009). Accuracy during development of an information system is a critical consideration since poorly developed system leads to a poorly functioning system that in turn leads to huge losses and wastages in terms of finances as well as time. Therefore, a new system must be developed and planned accurately so that it is effective and successful in achieving the objectives that are anticipated. A system life cycle is a critical enabler of database systems of having a idiosyncratic beginning as well as ending (Tarride, 2006). Thus the cardinal role of a system life cycle involves enhancing the database systems in identification of potential solutions which usually begin at an initial process, going through an unequivocal course and ending at the last process leading to the achievement of a logical solution. Therefore, the systems life cycle is ideally considered as decisive aspects in database systems (Fairfield, 2004). For the system life cycle to function effectively according to the specification of the proposed information system, it must be designed in a manner that it caters for all the phases that are incorporated in the system. The phases include the following: The conception phase, the design as well as development phase, the production and/or construction phase, the distribution phase, the operation phase, the maintenance as well as support phase, the retirement and the phase-out and disposal phase (Lundteigen, Rausand, & Utne, 2009).

In organizations, it is prudent to consider accurate following of the relevant stages in a system life cycle so that most of the problems that are associated with inappropriate system life cycle are avoided. A properly formulated system life cycle must go through the following stages:

• the definition stage
• the investigation as well as analysis stage
• the design stage
• the implementation stage
• the testing stage
• the installation stage
• the documentation stage
• the evaluation stage
• the maintenance stags

Basically, the starting point for almost all projects involves the definition stage and the maintenance stage is conventionally the end of the entire process. However, other stages in between do not necessarily follow a linear pattern. It sometimes become imperative to return to a previous stage after one stage is successfully completed (Alhadi & Ahmad, 2012).

A system life cycle plays a crucial role in database systems with regard to enhancing interaction as well as independent functioning of separate systems with the objective of establishing an amalgamated whole or an assortment of components and relationships that utterly deviate from varieties of elements (Alhadi & Ahmad, 2012).

A system lifecycle is conventionally comprises of a number of processes that are prearranged idiosyncratically to achieve an intended system lifecycle (Alhadi & Ahmad, 2012). Consequently, the process of database development must account for the sequential order of processes arrangement so that intended efficiency together with functionality are achieved (Root  & Mason, 2012). The systems life cycle has a significant role to play in the database systems with regard to database efficiency and functionality improvements. In this regard therefore, the database construction must utilize a variety of sequences of process in the system lifecycle so that the precise requirements are achieved (Lundteigen, Rausand, & Utne, 2009). The necessity of systems life cycle integration in the database system is attributed to approval of the critical role of systems lifecycle in the composite of diverse processes. The decisive ambition involves designing a database that is equipped with perfect functionality features and having the potentials to address the requirements of the user (Lundteigen, Rausand, & Utne, 2009). Arrangement of the processes in the system lifecycle is a significant determinant of the type of a lifecycle that is likely to result. Therefore, the order of arrangement of processes is a crucial consideration during design of a database in order to address predictable efficiency together with the ability to function according to the expectations (Fairfield, 2004). The significance of systems life cycle in database systems involves the capabilities of accepting the properties that augment the efficiency as well as functionality of the database.

The project manager’s role in the system life cycle

The project manager is charged with fundamental role in the entire phases of a system life cycle. The project manager is therefore required to poses sufficient practical experience in majority of the technical environments that involve system life cycle. The project manager has the responsibility of managing all aspects of system life cycle in the project (Cummings, 2006). The responsibility of the project manager entails planning as well as leading other people to implement the system life cycle leading to the achievement of project deliverables. The project manager is also charged with control the schedule in system life cycle together with the budget in all the procedures that are associated with project management (Cummings, 2006). To execute the mandates in the project that are required of a project manager therefore requires gaining the most relevant and sufficient skills as well as experience of executing the duties that are associated with different phases in the system life cycle, in consideration of the associated complexity as well as the size of the project. The project manager is also mandated to take full control of diverse phases in the system life cycle, the associated processes, controlling the members of teams in the project, addressing the needs of a network and network configuration (Cummings, 2006). The project manager also takes the full mandate of system planning, technical architect as well as system analyst (Cummings, 2006). It is important for project managers to appreciate the fact that, a system life cycle can be applied as a common set of processes in project management so that the results achieved in one project can be duplicated in a similar project (Lundteigen, Rausand, & Utne, 2009). Therefore, having successfully managed the system life cycle in one project empowers the project manager to apply the same standards in another project.

Reference

Cummings, H., (2006). Management Information Systems for the Information Age. Toronto, McGraw-Hill Ryerso.

Alhadi, N., & Ahmad, K. (2012). Query tuning in oracle database. Journal of Computer Science, 8(11), 1889-1896.

Fairfield, J. (2004). Databases. Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine, 5(12), 407–409.

Lundteigen, A. M., Rausand, M., & Utne, B. I. (2009). Integrating RAMS engineering and management with the safety life cycle of IEC 61508. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 94(12), 1894–1903.

Root, R., & Mason, C. (2012). Pro SQL server 2012 BI solutions. Apress.

Tarride, M. I. (2006). A method for systems definition. Kybernetes, 35(5), 680-687.