COMDTINST 5230.66
4.
SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE. The SDLC is a sequence of seven phases used to
produce, operate, and support C4&IT systems. These phases begin with the identification of need
and span all facets of a C4&IT system's life cycle, including planning, acquisition, deployment,
operation, and retirement of a system. The SDLC Practice is based on industry and government
best practices and shall be kept current through updates to the SDLC Practices. SDLC Practices
shall be promulgated separately and shall identify inputs, outputs, procedures, and products for each
phase. The Coast Guard's SDLC is defined by the following seven phases:
a. Conceptual Planning. This phase is the first step of any system's life cycle. It is during this
phase that a need to acquire or significantly enhance a system is identified, its feasibility and
costs are assessed, and the risks and various project planning approaches are defined.
b. Planning and Requirements Definition. This phase begins after the project has been defined and
appropriate resources have been committed. The first portion of this phase involves collecting,
defining, and validating functional, support, and training requirements. The second part involves
developing initial life cycle management plans, including project planning, project management,
configuration management, support, operations, and training management.
c. Design. During this phase, functional, support, and training requirements are translated into
preliminary and detailed designs. Decisions are made to address how the system will meet
functional requirements. A preliminary (general) system design, emphasizing the functional
features of the system, is produced as a high-level guide. Then a final (detailed) system design is
produced that expands the design by specifying all the technical detail needed to develop the
system.
d. Development and Testing. During this phase, systems are developed or acquired based on