Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) is the structured process of overseeing the development, deployment, and maintenance of a software application from inception to retirement. It integrates all the key stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC), ensuring collaboration and alignment between teams such as developers, testers, project managers, and operations. ALM encompasses multiple phases:

Planning: Involves gathering requirements, setting project goals, and allocating resources. This phase ensures that the project has a clear direction and well-defined objectives.

Development: Here, code is written and reviewed. Developers work in sync, often using version control systems to manage changes and maintain consistency in the codebase.

Testing: Software is tested for bugs, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues. Automated and manual testing ensures that the application meets its specifications.

Deployment: The application is released to the production environment. Continuous Delivery (CD) pipelines automate this phase, ensuring faster and reliable deployments.

Maintenance: Post-deployment, the software undergoes updates and patches to fix bugs, enhance features, or adapt to changes in user needs or technology.

Retirement: When the software becomes outdated or irrelevant, it’s decommissioned in a structured way.
ALM ensures that all aspects of the development and operations processes are aligned, promotes cross-team collaboration, and maintains quality and consistency throughout the software’s lifecycle. This holistic approach enables continuous improvement and responsiveness to changing business needs.