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Whitepaper - Knowledge Management for Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Karthika C | | 3 min read

Knowledge Management (KM) is the strategic process of capturing, organizing, sharing, and applying knowledge to improve efficiency and decision-making. When integrated into the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), KM ensures valuable insights, best practices, and lessons learned are used across all phases-enhancing collaboration, reducing risks, and increasing the quality of deliverables.

Core KM Components:

  • Knowledge Creation: Generating new insights through research, collaboration, and innovation.
  • Knowledge Capture: Recording lessons learned, decisions made, and observations.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Disseminating knowledge via tools, workshops, documents, and meetings.
  • Knowledge Storage: Organizing knowledge in accessible systems like Redmine, Google Drive, and wikis.
  • Knowledge Application: Using captured knowledge to improve outcomes in planning, development, and testing.

 

 

KM Implementation Across SDLC Phases

Initiation Phase

This is the planning stage where the project scope, goals, risks, and timelines are defined.

  • Creation: Insights from stakeholder interviews and business process analysis help set project direction.
  • Capture: Use checklists and templates to store lessons from similar past projects.
  • Sharing: Shared during kick-off and planning meetings using documents like RAID Logs and Project Charters.
  • Storage: Documents stored in central repositories like Redmine or Google Drive with access control.
  • Application: Stakeholders use past data to shape a realistic project scope and timelines.

Artifacts:

  • Project Charter
  • High-Level Release Plan
  • RAID Logs
  • Communication Management Plan
  • Client Escalation Matrix
  • Business Requirements Document (BRD)

Requirement Phase

Focuses on gathering user needs, regulatory requirements, and business expectations.

Creation: Conduct interviews and workshops to document functional and non-functional requirements.

Capture: Document legal guidelines, past feedback, constraints, and assumptions.

Sharing: Use formats like user stories, Software Requirement Specifications (SRS), and diagrams to align teams.

Storage: Centralized, versioned repository with role-based access.

Application: Use the captured knowledge to refine project scope, estimation, and deliverables.

Artifacts:

  • Updated Project Plans (Internal & Client)
  • SRS/User Stories
  • Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)
  • Functional/Non-functional WBS
  • Master Test Plan
  • Change Request (CR) Document

 

 

Design Phase

Here, the system architecture and user interface are planned.

Creation: Collaborative workshops yield wireframes, mockups, and design guidelines.

Capture: Record reusable components, design patterns, stakeholder feedback.

Sharing: Design review meetings ensure team alignment; documents stored in design libraries.

Storage: Version-controlled design repositories and architecture documents.

Application: Apply past insights to refine technical and UI/UX design decisions.

Artifacts:

  • Technical Architecture Document
  • Content Architecture Plan
  • Updated Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)
  • Technical Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • Design Guidelines
  • Design Prototypes
  • Test Design Document
  • Updated Test Plan

Development Phase

This phase focuses on coding based on the finalized design.

  • Creation: Developers document coding standards, workflows, and testing protocols.
  • Capture: Record bug resolutions, coding decisions, and reusable modules.
  • Sharing: Done through code repositories (e.g., GitHub), Confluence, and developer wikis.
  • Storage: All code and related knowledge are version-controlled and securely stored.
  • Application: Developers reuse proven solutions, follow guidelines, and build quality code efficiently.

Artifacts:

  • Codebase
  • Unit Test Results
  • Test Request Tickets
  • Build and Deployment Guidelines
  • Technical Notes
  • Development Workflow Guides

Testing Phase

Here, the system is validated against requirements.

  • Creation: Test cases, defect logs, automation scripts, and reports are generated.
  • Capture: Insights from bug patterns, performance issues, and user feedback.
  • Sharing: Through test summary reports, defect logs, and knowledge sessions.
  • Storage: Central test management systems ensure versioned access to test data.
  • Application: Testers apply prior results to improve coverage and detect issues faster.

Artifacts:

  • Smoke Test Checklist
  • Issue List
  • Test Results
  • Test Certification Document
  • NFR (Non-Functional Requirement) Reports
  • UI Certification
  • Updated RTM
  • Final Master Test Plan

Closure Phase

This phase wraps up the project and ensures knowledge is retained for future use.

  • Creation: Final lessons learned, stakeholder feedback, and performance metrics.
  • Capture: Project retrospectives, financial summaries, and closure documentation.
  • Sharing: Debrief meetings, retrospective presentations, closure emails.
  • Storage: Stored in project management systems like ZyxPM for easy retrieval.
  • Application: Feedback is used to update templates, best practices, and project standards.

Artifacts:

  • Lessons Learned Document
  • Closure Report
  • Approval Email from Client
  • Billing Intimation
  • Retrospective Presentation
  • Reconciliation Report
  • Case Studies

Final Thoughts

Implementing KM in SDLC ensures:

  • Reuse of valuable knowledge across projects
  • Improved collaboration and communication
  • Better risk management and planning
  • Enhanced product quality and customer satisfaction
  • Accelerated onboarding for new team members

Tools Used:

  • Redmine - Project tracking and test request tickets
  • Google Drive - Document management
  • ZyxPM - Project planning and closure tracking
 

 

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