{"id":97368,"date":"2025-02-20T10:28:18","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T09:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplifier.io\/application-lifecycle-management\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T12:43:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T10:43:53","slug":"application-lifecycle-management","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/simplifier.io\/en\/topics\/application-lifecycle-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Application Lifecycle Management"},"content":{"rendered":"

Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)<\/span><\/span><\/h2>
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Software lifecycle management from start to finish<\/span><\/span><\/h2>
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What do the phases of software development look like? Let’s just start at the beginning. Many of us can no longer imagine life without a smartphone. We use it as a means of communication, as a navigation device or to find a good Italian restaurant and the nearest petrol station. But it is not only in the private sphere that mobile devices support us in our tasks; companies have also recognized the advantages of business apps. Users expect similar handling and added value as they are used to from their private apps. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Let’s take a look at a typical morning for Rainer M\u00fcller, quality inspector at a large logistics company.<\/p>\n

It’s 7:00 in the morning. The first thing he looks at when he wakes up is his cell phone. At breakfast, Mr. M\u00fcller skims through the day’s headlines, which are presented to him in a clear and concise format by an app. He checks the traffic situation on his way to work. He has a clear journey and arrives at his workplace on time at 8:00 am. In the warehouse, he first picks up a tablet and calls up the ticket system. While inspecting the components, he enters his observations in a form template. After a warning is displayed on the tablet, Mr. M\u00fcller looks at a defective machine and calls in an expert via remote call to repair it. <\/p>\n

In a single morning, Mr. M\u00fcller has already used up to six apps that make his life easier both in his private and professional life. Most people are probably familiar with this or something similar. But how are apps created? We have broken this down in our white paper.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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The 6 phases of software development<\/span><\/span><\/h2>
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Application lifecycle management (ALM for short) refers to the monitoring of an application throughout its entire lifecycle. In the course of digitalization, the topic of ALM is becoming increasingly important for companies. Business processes, business models and products are constantly changing. As a result, IT departments within companies have to adapt their systems and establish new ones ever more quickly. <\/p>\n

ALM treats and interlinks application development (requirements, design and development) and application operation (roll-out, operation and optimization) in equal measure. The phase model ensures that the individual implementation steps are adhered to and continuously checked. The individual areas are discussed in more detail below. <\/span><\/p>\n

ALM is intended to ensure an increase in the overall quality of the software. The standardization of the individual steps ensures greater efficiency and better collaboration between the development team and users. There are various approaches and strategies within software development, such as the waterfall model or the iterative model. However, they all have six basic phases in common: <\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Requirements analysis<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Design (planning)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Implementation<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Test<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Publication<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Maintenance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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    The ALM phase model<\/span><\/span><\/h2>
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    1st request phase<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

    The initial phase of application lifecycle management comprises a requirements analysis. This includes determining and analyzing requirements. The basic orientation of the application is usually based on the company’s strategic planning. For this reason, it is particularly important in the first phase to understand as specifically as possible what the company wants to achieve with the application. It should also be determined which components the application should definitely have and which can be added at a later stage. <\/p>\n

    The result of this phase is a requirement and functional specification that clearly defines the content and implementation guidelines. Initial mock-ups and design drafts can also be created.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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    2nd conception phase<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

    In the conception phase, the requirements from the first phase are translated into functionalities and the required architecture is defined. The focus here is on selecting suitable solutions. During this phase, it is always possible to return to the requirements phase if details have not been worked out well enough. <\/p>\n

    The result of the conception phase is a rough and a detailed concept. Concepts for design, software architecture, release management and test management can also be added.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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    3rd development phase<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

    The development phase includes the implementation of the application and architecture. Key milestones in this phase include setting up the development and acceptance environments, developing the software, documentation and installing the solutions in the integration environment. <\/p>\n

    The results of this phase are various manuals for installation, administration and operation as well as needs-based test scenarios and unit tests carried out by the developer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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    4. quality assurance phase<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

    The quality assurance phase begins with the completion of the actual software development and programming work and the start of the acceptance process. The developer tests the software on a development or integration environment. Furthermore, all documents and test scenarios created are checked again. If errors are found during this process, a feedback process takes place. The errors are documented and fed back to the implementation team. The rework and testing phases alternate until no more errors are found in the application. <\/p>\n

    Once the development team has given the green light, acceptance can be given to the company or the user. If no more errors are discovered here either, the quality assurance phase is considered complete. <\/p>\n

    The results of this phase are an internally and externally tested application and an acceptance protocol.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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    5th product release phase<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

    The roll-out and go-live take place in the product release phase. In addition, there is versioning, where it must be ensured that each version remains maintainable for the user or company and that bug fixes can also be carried out in the future. <\/p>\n

    In addition, all users should be familiarized with the software during this phase and training should be provided if necessary.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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    6. maintenance and optimization phase<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

    The maintenance and optimization phase usually takes place in the background without the user being aware of it. While the application is already in use, it is looked after by a support team in order to quickly rectify any errors that may occur.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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    Modern application lifecycle management with Simplifier<\/span><\/span><\/h2>