What is the first phase in the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

The first phase in the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is the initiation phase. This phase is crucial as it lays the groundwork for the entire project. During initiation, the project's feasibility is assessed, and the goals and objectives are defined. This involves determining what the system needs to achieve and identifying potential constraints. Stakeholders are also engaged to gather their requirements and expectations, which helps ensure that the project aligns with business needs.

Establishing a clear project scope and forming a preliminary plan are key activities in this phase, creating a roadmap for subsequent steps in the SDLC. By successfully completing the initiation phase, the foundation is set for further development stages, such as planning, design, implementation, and testing. This emphasis on strategic alignment at the outset underscores why the initiation phase is considered the first and foundational step in the SDLC process.