Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) are two interrelated concepts that structure the development and management of software applications. ALM encompasses the entirety of a software application's lifecycle, integrating phases such as requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, maintenance, and retirement while also emphasizing collaboration, project management, and governance throughout these phases. In contrast, SDLC specifically delineates the steps involved in the development process itself, focusing on methodologies like Agile, Waterfall, or DevOps to efficiently produce software. While SDLC improves the development process, ALM provides a broader framework that enhances product quality, aligns business objectives, and ensures ongoing compliance with organizational standards throughout the application's life.
| Aspect | Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) | Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) |
| Definition | ALM encompasses the management of applications throughout their entire lifecycle from conception to retirement. | SDLC is a systematic process for planning, creating, testing, and deploying software. |
| Scope | Broader scope including governance, project management, and operational aspects of the application. | Focused primarily on the development phase of software, detailing stages from requirements to deployment. |
| Phases | Includes phases such as strategy, development, testing, deployment, and retirement. | Common phases include requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. |
| Stakeholders | Engages multiple stakeholders including management, developers, testers, users, and support teams. | Primarily involves developers, testers, and project managers, with stakeholder engagement typically occurring during requirements gathering and user acceptance testing. |
| Tools | Utilizes a range of tools for project tracking, issue tracking, version control, and collaboration across the lifecycle. | Employs tools specific to each phase, such as requirement management tools, design tools, coding environments, and testing tools. |
| Methodologies | Can integrate various methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, DevOps) across the application lifecycle. | Typically adheres to a specific methodology for each project (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) but focuses more narrowly on the development process. |
| Focus on Quality | Emphasizes overall quality management including operational quality, compliance, and continuous improvement. | Concentrates on software quality through testing phases, validation, and verification processes. |
| Change Management | Strong emphasis on managing changes throughout the application lifecycle, ensuring that updates are systematic and controlled. | Change management is typically confined to handling alterations during the requirements and maintenance phases of the software. |
| End Goal | Aims to ensure the application delivers value to the business throughout its entire life, including alignment with business goals. | Aims for successful software creation that meets user requirements and functions as intended. |
| User Involvement | Involves users continuously throughout the lifecycle for feedback and improvement. | User involvement is most crucial during the requirements and approval phases, with less continuous engagement. |
This table provides a structured comparison of ALM and SDLC, highlighting their key differences and similarities within the context of application management and software development.