THE IMPACT OF SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE IMPLEMENTATION ON SOFTWARE PRODUCT QUALITY: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

The demand for high-quality software has grown over the years, especially in recent times with the digital explosion. Only efficient development methodology can give the best result possible. This review focuses on the impacts of SDLC implementation on software quality from the perspective of a literature review and meta- analysis, using related articles from 2014 to 2025. A total of 11,851 identified papers were assessed, out of which the retrieved documents went through a series of eliminations until only 10 relevant studies remained. It generally examines the benefits, disadvantages, and challenges generally faced in the industry through a comparison of modern models such as Agile and DevOps with traditional models such as Waterfall and Iterative. It was found that existing SDLC models like Agile and DevOps are flexible, highly contributive by teams, and work in a development cycle effectively. Clearly, they have a specified rate of delivery, easy adjustments to changes in needs, and feedback mechanisms. Problems noted are: not having a form of documentation, managing a large project is cumbersome, and technology changes so rapidly. Although structured and applicable to projects with fixed requirements like Waterfall and Iterative, it is very difficult to achieve the level of speed and flexibility reached by modern models. According to the research work, modern models suit dynamic environments, though the ultimate choice depends on project needs, the nature of the team, and organization culture. The aim of this section is to provide strategic insights into the different SDLC models, relative advantages, and disadvantages that will enable software developers to make an informed choice of the best model that will yield high-quality software capable of adapting to the dynamic demands of users and changing industry expectations.