The development phase involves taking all of the detailed design documents from the design phase and transforming them into the actual system. The two primary activities involved in the development phase are:
1. Develop the IT infrastructure.
2. Develop the database and programs.
1. Develop the IT Infrastructure
The platform upon which the system will operate must be built before building the actual system. In the design phase, an organization creates a blueprint of the proposed IT infrastructure displaying the design of the software, hardware, and telecommunication equipment. In the development phase, the organization purchases and implements the required equipment to support the IT infrastructure.
Most new systems require new hardware and software. It may be as simple as adding memory to a client or as complex as setting up a wide area network across several states.
2. Develop the Database and Programs
Once the IT infrastructure is built, the organization can begin to create the database and write the programs required for the system. IT specialists perform these functions and it may take months or even years to design and create all the needed elements to complete the system.
