What is Software Development Life Cycle ( SDLC )? Learn SDLC Phases, Process, and Models: Software Development Life Cycle ( SDLC ) is a framework that defines the steps involved in the development of software at each phase. It covers the detailed plan for building, deploying and maintaining the software . SDLC, or software development life cycle , is a methodology that defines the entire procedure of software development step-by-step. The goal of the SDLC life cycle model is to deliver high-quality, maintainable software that meets the user's requirements.