System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a project management technique in which a problem is broken up into smaller managable parts. The SDLC consists mainly of 8 stages; namely Initiation, Planning, Analysis, Design, Development, Testing, Deployment and Maintenance.

There are many system development methodologies that are adopted by software companies today such as the Waterfall approach, Iterative (Agile) approch, Rapid Application Development (RAD), Xtreme Programming (XP)...etc. Each of these development methodologies has its opponents and proponents. It is perhaps not immediately apparent which of these methodologies is best for producing the most desirable results.

In my years of experience developing software adopting different development methodologies, it has become quite evident that there isn't a particular methodology that works best in all situations. Adoption of a system development methodologies should be based on the particular situation and not personal bias.

There are many factors which will determine which development methodology is best such as; skills, culture, organizational politics, enviornment and technology. I am often asked about what is my evaluation of a particular development methodology, and my answer is always, "Use whatever fits your particular situation."