Evaluation criteria for application life cycle management systems in practice

The effective use of (human) resources and a mature product assumes the application of a software development life cycle (SDLC) management system which actively supports the process of development. A well-adjusted SDLC system is a prerequisite in safety-critical developments, such as the development of medical devices. Otherwise, the intensive documentation needed proving the correct and safe operation of the equipment cannot be fulfilled. The aim of this paper is to provide structured and mostly quantified criteria for companies which plan to establish newly an application life cycle management system or improve an existing one. The answering of these question helps making an objective and optimal choice among the different systems. Finally, this paper prepares a case study, where the application of these criteria will be demonstrated in practice.