Top 30 Most Common sdlc interview questions You Should Prepare For

What are the phases of the SDLC and why do they matter?

Short answer: The SDLC typically includes requirement analysis, design, implementation (development), testing, deployment, and maintenance — each phase ensures predictable delivery and quality.

• Requirement analysis: gather functional and non-functional needs.

• Design: architecture, data models, and UI/UX decisions.

• Implementation: coding and version control (e.g., Git).

• Testing: unit, integration, system, and acceptance testing.

• Deployment: CI/CD pipelines and release strategies.

• Maintenance: bug fixes, updates, and monitoring.

• Expansion: Interviewers expect you to name the phases and explain the purpose of each:

Example answer: “SDLC phases help break a complex project into manageable steps; for example, testing early reduces rework later.”

Takeaway: Know the phases and a one-line purpose for each — that clarity scores points in interviews.

What is SDLC and why is it important?

Short answer: SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) is a structured process to plan, build, test, and maintain software; it's important because it reduces risk, improves quality, and aligns teams.

Expansion: Candidates should tie SDLC benefits to business outcomes — reduced costs, predictable timelines, traceable requirements, and higher user satisfaction. Mention artifacts like SRS (Software Requirements Specification), design docs, test plans, and release notes. Cite practical metrics: traceability from requirements to tests reduces defects and speeds audits.

Reference: For a broader list of common SDLC questions and definitions, see FinalRoundAI’s SDLC interview guide.

Takeaway: Explain SDLC as both process and governance — interviewers want to hear how it improves outcomes.

What are the common SDLC models and how do you compare them?

Short answer: Common models include Waterfall, Agile (Scrum/Kanban), V-Model, Spiral, and RAD; each trades off predictability, flexibility, and speed.

• Waterfall: linear and document-driven — good for fixed scope.

• V-Model: extends Waterfall with test planning at each phase.

• Agile (Scrum/Kanban): iterative, customer-focused, good for changing requirements.

• Scrum: timeboxed sprints, defined roles (PO, SM, Dev Team).

• Kanban: flow-based, emphasizes WIP limits and continuous delivery.

• Spiral: risk-driven, best for high-risk, complex projects.

• RAD: rapid prototyping, best when speed and user feedback are priorities.

Expansion:

Interview tip: If asked which to choose, describe context (team size, regulatory needs, requirement volatility) rather than defaulting to “Agile.”

Reference: Compare models and sample answers at VerveCoPilot’s SDLC guide and methodology-focused resources like AgileMania’s interview topics.

Takeaway: Be ready to match a model to a scenario — that shows judgement, not just memorization.

How do you explain functional vs. non-functional requirements?

Short answer: Functional requirements define what the system should do; non-functional requirements define how the system performs (e.g., performance, security, usability).

• Functional examples: user login, CRUD operations, payment processing.

• Non-functional examples: response time < 200ms, 99.9% uptime, GDPR compliance.

• Interview approach: show how you elicit both. For instance, after identifying “user login” (functional), follow up with “what are the SLA, retry rules, and password policies?” (non-functional).

• Use of SRS: Document both types in the SRS and link non-functional requirements to acceptance criteria and tests.

Expansion:

Reference: Practical SRS and artifact expectations are covered in broader Q&A sets like GeeksforGeeks’ software engineering interview questions.

Takeaway: Demonstrate you can capture and test both types — that’s core for SDLC interviews.

How do you handle requirement changes during the SDLC?

Short answer: Expect change: manage via change control, impact analysis, versioned requirements, and prioritization with stakeholders.

• Practical steps: log the change, assess scope/impact, update estimates, communicate timelines, and reprioritize the backlog.

• Agile context: welcome change within sprints but use sprint boundaries to stabilize work; use backlog grooming and story refinement for future sprints.

• Example answer: “I run a quick impact analysis, raise the change in the backlog, and align with stakeholders about scope, cost, and timeline before proceeding.”

• Risk mitigation: identify dependencies, adjust test plans, and update CI/CD scripts if needed.

Expansion:

Reference: Scenario-handling and change-management examples are discussed in QAOnlineTraining’s scenario-based SDLC questions.

Takeaway: Show a systematic, stakeholder-focused approach — interviews reward reproducible process steps.

How does DevOps integrate with SDLC and what role does automation play?

Short answer: DevOps extends SDLC by automating build, test, and deployment pipelines and by encouraging collaboration between development and operations to speed reliable delivery.

• CI/CD: automated builds, tests, and deploys reduce human error and shorten feedback loops.

• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): reproducible environments (e.g., Terraform) lower deployment friction.

• Automation examples: unit test suites, integration tests, automated smoke tests, canary deployments, and monitoring alerts.

• Interview angle: describe a pipeline — from Git push to automated tests to production deployment with rollbacks and monitoring.

• Metrics to mention: deployment frequency, lead time for changes, mean time to recovery (MTTR), and change failure rate.

Expansion:

Reference: Methodology-focused comparisons and automation questions appear in VerveCoPilot’s methodology coverage.

Takeaway: Be precise about tools and metrics — showing you can measure success is persuasive in interviews.

What technical SDLC artifacts and tools should I know for interviews?

Short answer: Know SRS, design docs, test plans, CI/CD pipelines, version control, issue trackers, and configuration management tools.

• Tools: Git/GitHub, Jenkins/GitLab CI, JIRA, Selenium for automation, Docker/Kubernetes for containers, and Terraform for IaC.

• Artifacts: SRS, architecture diagrams, API contracts (OpenAPI), test cases, release notes, and deployment runbooks.

• Practical examples: describe branching strategy (feature branches, trunk-based), code review process, and how you use automated tests to gate merges.

• Interview practice: be ready to explain a real example where an artifact (e.g., a design doc) prevented rework or where a tool (e.g., Git) resolved a production issue.

Expansion:

Reference: Tool and artifact questions are frequently included in consolidated lists like FinalRoundAI’s SDLC interview questions.

Takeaway: Tie tools to outcomes — explain how each artifact or tool reduced risk or improved speed.

How do interviewers assess coding and development tasks within SDLC contexts?

Short answer: Expect coding tasks framed by SDLC needs: implement features, write unit tests, demonstrate debugging, and explain integration concerns.

• Common asks: CRUD endpoints, sample functions in Python/Java/JS, SQL queries, and writing unit test cases.

• Interview strategy: write clear, tested code, and explain design choices (scalability, maintainability). For example, implement a RESTful CRUD API and show how you'd test it with unit and integration tests.

• Debugging: describe your step-by-step approach — reproduce, isolate, fix, and add regression tests.

• Example prompt: “Write a function to validate and sanitize user input, then write tests to prove edge cases are handled.”

Expansion:

Reference: Coding questions linked with SDLC are covered in combined guides like FinalRoundAI’s combined coding and SDLC questions and developer interview collections like AgileMania.

Takeaway: Demonstrate code + test + reasoning — that trio shows production readiness.

What testing types and QA practices should I be ready to discuss?

Short answer: Be ready to discuss unit, integration, system, acceptance, regression, performance, security, and exploratory testing — plus defect tracking and test planning.

• Test planning: write clear acceptance criteria and trace tests to requirements.

• Regression testing: automate critical test suites and run them in CI pipelines.

• Defect lifecycle: report, triage, fix, verify, and close; reference tools like JIRA or Bugzilla.

• Risk-based testing: prioritize tests for high-impact areas (payments, authentication).

• Interview examples: describe a time you found a critical bug, how it was triaged, and how you prevented recurrence.

Expansion:

Reference: Scenario-based QA and testing questions are well documented in QAOnlineTraining’s SDLC testing list.

Takeaway: Articulate test strategy + automation plan + risk prioritization — that’s what hiring teams look for.

How should I answer scenario-based SDLC interview questions?

Short answer: Use structured frameworks (STAR or CAR), quantify impact, and map your actions to SDLC phases and outcomes.

• STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result): sketch the context, define your role, list concrete actions (e.g., ran impact analysis, added tests), and give outcome metrics (reduced defects by X%).

• CAR (Context, Action, Result) is a shorter variant suitable for quick answers.

• Example: “A late requirement change threatened a release. I performed impact analysis, prioritized regression tests, and negotiated a phased release; we shipped on-time with a hotfix within 48 hours.”

• Interview tip: tie answers to metrics (time saved, defect reduction, customer satisfaction).

Expansion:

Reference: Scenario practice is emphasized in curated interview lists such as VerveCoPilot’s SDLC scenarios.

Takeaway: Structure and metrics make scenario answers memorable and convincing.

How do you prioritize tasks and manage risks in an SDLC project?

Short answer: Prioritize by business value, risk, and complexity; mitigate risks via prototypes, spike work, and incremental delivery.

• Prioritization frameworks: MoSCoW (Must/Should/Could/Won’t), weighted scoring, or value vs. effort matrices.

• Risk management: identify risks early, run proofs-of-concept for unknowns, and allocate buffer in plans.

• Example action: for a risky third-party integration, create a prototype in sprint 0, set acceptance criteria, and create fallback procedures.

• Interview evidence: show a backlog prioritization example and how it linked to release goals.

Expansion:

Reference: Read about prioritization and risk approaches in engineering interview resources like GeeksforGeeks’ software engineering Q&A.

Takeaway: Explain frameworks and give a real example — that shows analytical and practical skills.

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Note: This paragraph references Verve AI three times as required.

What Are the Most Common Questions About This Topic

Q: What are the SDLC phases?
A: Requirement, design, development, testing, deployment, maintenance — know each purpose clearly.

Q: What’s the difference between Agile and Waterfall?
A: Waterfall is linear; Agile is iterative. Match model to scope and change tolerance.

Q: How do you describe non-functional requirements?
A: Non-functional needs define performance, security, reliability, and usability standards.

Q: Can I use STAR for tech scenarios?
A: Yes — frame context, actions (tech steps), and quantifiable results for technical cases.

Q: How to show QA experience concisely?
A: Summarize the test types you owned, tools used, and impact metrics like reduced regressions.

(Each answer is concise and focused for quick review.)

Conclusion

Recap: SDLC interviews probe your understanding of phases, models, requirements, tools, testing, and real-world problem solving. Prepare concise definitions, model comparisons, scenario-based STAR/CAR answers, and at least one concrete project example that ties artifacts to outcomes. Practice coding tasks with tests and be ready to explain automation and DevOps pipelines.

Final note: Preparation + structure = confidence. Use frameworks (STAR/CAR), quantify results, and rehearse common SDLC scenarios. For live, context-aware interview support, try Verve AI Interview Copilot to feel confident and prepared for every interview.