IT and Software Development Workflow
1. Purpose
This SOP outlines the standardized process for software development within the IT
department to ensure consistency, efficiency, and quality in delivering software solutions.
2. Scope
This procedure applies to all IT and software development teams, including developers,
testers, project managers, and system administrators, involved in the software development
lifecycle (SDLC).
3. Roles and Responsibilities
Project Manager (PM): Oversees project scope, timelines, and resource allocation.
Software Developers: Write, test, and maintain code according to project
requirements.
Quality Assurance (QA) Engineers: Perform testing and ensure software meets
quality standards.
System Administrators: Manage infrastructure, deployments, and security.
DevOps Engineers: Automate deployments and optimize software delivery pipelines.
4. Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Process
4.1 Requirement Analysis
Gather functional and non-functional requirements from stakeholders.
Document requirements in a formal specification document.
Obtain approval from stakeholders before proceeding.
4.2 Planning & Design
Define project scope, deliverables, and timeline.
Create architectural diagrams and database schema.
Develop wireframes and UI/UX prototypes (if applicable).
Identify necessary technologies and tools.
4.3 Development
Follow coding standards and best practices (e.g., PEP 8 for Python, Clean Code
principles).
Use version control (e.g., Git, GitHub, GitLab) and follow branching strategies (e.g.,
Git Flow).
Implement unit testing and integration testing during development.
Conduct regular code reviews and peer programming sessions.
4.4 Testing & Quality Assurance
Perform various testing types, including unit testing, integration testing, system
testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
Log defects in a bug tracking system (e.g., JIRA, Trello, or Azure DevOps).
Ensure that all defects are resolved before proceeding to deployment.
4.5 Deployment
Prepare deployment artifacts and scripts.
Use CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions) for automated deployments.
Conduct staging environment testing before production deployment.
Implement rollback procedures for failed deployments.
4.6 Maintenance & Support
Monitor application performance and uptime.
Address production issues promptly and update stakeholders.
Schedule regular updates and security patches.
5. Documentation and Compliance
Maintain up-to-date documentation, including technical specifications and user
manuals.
Follow compliance standards such as GDPR, ISO 27001, or HIPAA where applicable.
Conduct regular security audits and risk assessments.
6. Tools & Technologies
Project Management: JIRA, Trello, ClickUp
Version Control: Git, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket
CI/CD: Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD
Testing: Selenium, JUnit, pytest, Postman
Deployment: Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Azure
7. Review and Continuous Improvement
Conduct retrospective meetings after each development cycle.
Gather feedback from team members and stakeholders.
Update the SOP periodically to align with industry trends and best practices.
8. Approval & Revision History
Approved By: John Smith
Effective Date: February 24, 2025
Last Reviewed: January 25, 2025
Next Review Date: February 17, 2025
