subject: Exploring turning points with application development [print this page] Software development previously involved the use of independent tools for developing applications. Now the tools have undergone a vast change with complete suites that provide integration capabilities. These tools manage the complete lifecycle of applications from the commencement of the project till its fruition. This system of managing applications in a wholesome manner is termed as Application lifecycle management.
The functions of the ALM tool include
Requirements management
Change management
Work flow
Managing source codes
Task management
Testing and lab management
Bug tracking
Analysis
Reporting
Traceability and accountability
Advantages of ALM
Application life cycle management provides unlimited benefits such as the following.
It allows easy collaboration and coordination of information
The use of simple integrations helps to expedite the process
It is highly flexible as it narrows the time gap for adapting applications meant for the changing business needs.
There is optimum utilization of technology, skills and methods
The time spent on maintenance is reduced as it integrates the applications and designs without any hassles.
It brings qualitative improvements so that the end result is as per the desired expectations.
It enhances productivity as the best development and deployment methods are practiced giving an opportunity to the developers to tend to other current needs of the business.
Requirements management accentuates the ALM functioning
A very important feature of ALM is requirements management that evaluates the objectives and capabilities of an organization, prioritizes and provides supportive planning, integrates requirements and changes, and also traces to meet the ultimate expectations for providing the results desired by customers.
Requirements management can exist as desktop or web-based tools. The web-based tool can be installed at the data center at the customer's end or can be provided as an on-demand requirements management platform, sometimes completely free. The on-demand requirements management platform is one where the system requirements are accessed through a web browser.
It provides immense benefits such as using hardware and software along with technological processes to ensure data security against any malicious or incidental loss. It provides scalable service where you can use and add applications, users and other activities with uninterrupted data availability service.
ALM fosters an ideal environment for integrating various tools and processes, thus making software development an easy and simple procedure. It eliminates all time-consuming processes and reduces costs resulting in improved productivity.
Exploring turning points with application development
