The Systems Development Life Cycle: Design

Once a feasible solution has been selected, the design phase determines how the system will work. During the design phase, each portion of the new system is designed in detail, including:

• User interface
• Data structure
• Program design

Often, the design phase includes a detailed examination of how the system accomplishes the goals outlined in the analysis phase. The design phase ends with a prototype — a working model of the system.

Some authors include a feasibility review in this phase, where alternate solutions are analyzed and the best solution is chosen.

Although this topic discusses the design phase as part of the general systems development life cycle, this phase can be applied to developing an e-business solution for an organization.