Introduction
SDLC (System Development Life Cycle) is tossed most often when discussing the process of software development, although many people have vague notions about what it involves. Therefore, SDLC is a project management model defining the phases involved in getting the project from initiation to completion. The SDLC offers a standard project management structure that may enhance the quality of information systems. The idea of following a persistent project management structure to enhance quality outcomes may be used as a means of healthcare enhancement (Mohino et al., 2019). The nursing paper involves a role description for a graduate–level nurse to guide his/her participation on the implementation team based on the SDLC steps.
SDLC
SDLC is employed to assist development teams in maximizing their workflow and making it scalable while guaranteeing quality. Hence, documentation of the steps of this development process has many benefits. It offers healthcare developers a “map” to follow for every new epic or sprint (Kyeremeh, 2019). SDLC outlines in which nurse leaders’ workflow is weak or in which the highest risks are, for example, bottlenecks and resource gaps, making it easier to expect them; hence, resolve them before they occur (Singletary & Baker, 2019). Further, the involvement of other stakeholders or teams is needed; their effect on approvals or timelines may be planned for in SDLC.
SDLC illustrates the several steps of a software cycle and the model in which the steps are conducted. The result from each step is implemented in the following step of the software cycle. The steps comprise planning and requirements definition, analysis, design of the new system, implementation, and post-implementation support (Maindze, 2018). The knowledge of the processes and workflow related to critical thinking abilities enables nurses to spot objectives and develop project goals. The engagement of nurses in the new system development is necessary to offer a clinical nursing view to help in the creation of effective and safe systems (Mohino et al., 2019). The nurse managers must provide significance to both the challenges and benefits related to engaging a nurse leader on the implementation team to guarantee that the new system will be acceptable and stable for all nurses affected.
Role Description for Nurse Leader: Utilizing Steps of SDLC
Definition of Planning and Requirements Step
The role of a nurse leader cooperates with the interprofessional members of the team to achieve the activities, for example, defining the issues and scope, choosing potential solutions, contemplating needed resources, developing a project timeline and schedule, and initiating the project (Assadi et al., 2022). The clinical knowledge of the nurses assists in the implementation via processes and workflow effectively.
Analysis Step
The role of a nurse leader during the analysis step is to assist in prioritizing the requirements of a project, launch and assess possible alternatives, and offer recommendations to the management. The nurse leader should state whether there is any failure in completing the activities efficiently and meeting user and healthcare organizational needs that may lead to project delays, errors, loss of data, and breakdown of communication systems. The internal part of this analysis system comprises examining the workflow processes, decision-making tools, and communication (Maindze, 2018). The engagement of a nurse leader during the analysis phase is imperative to review relevant policies of the healthcare organization and to understand what changes are needed to accommodate new work systems and new technology.
Design Step
The nurse leader has a critical role to play in this step, as they guarantee that the software’s general configuration is defined accurately and develop the operation and architecture of the system with consideration to software, hardware, retrieval of data, networking, user interface, and archiving and use. The nurse reinforces the aim of the system to enhance patient safety and quality of care (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). In addition, the nurse helps in customizing the new system to facilitate clinical resolution support to accommodate approaches in various specialties.
Implementation Step
The nurse leader’s role encompasses system maintenance, staff training, and outcome assessment to ensure two-way communication between management and staff members, soliciting feedback that can inform the redesign of a new system for improved results. Feedback from users assists in creating a safe spot to spot system and workflow problems (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, n.d.). The engagement of a nurse leader may offer an effective approach.
Post-Implementation Support Step
The role of a nurse leader involves ensuring continuous support and adequate training, understanding the technology and its implications, and promoting compliance and acceptance of the new system among employees. It improves adherence and satisfaction with the best practices in the healthcare system (Assadi et al., 2022). Additionally, it will mitigate any potential negative influences caused by technical failures and identify flaws to support the need for continuous improvement and database maintenance.
Conclusion
In healthcare organizations, nurse leaders play a critical role among the implementation team’s members and in supporting the SDLC for informatics within healthcare. The nurse’s role comprises synthesizing information on how technology may support the safety and quality of care. The nurse leader must also understand how technology can aid in promoting efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare service delivery. The SDLC aims to facilitate patient-centered care in healthcare facilities, increasing patient and nurse satisfaction with care services.
References
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). Workflow Assessment for Health IT Toolkit | AHRQ Digital Healthcare Research: Informing Improvement in Care Quality, Safety, and Efficiency. Ahrq.gov.
Assadi, A., Laussen, P. C., Goodwin, A. J., Goodfellow, S., Dixon, W., Greer, R. W., Jegatheeswaran, A., Singh, D., McCradden, M., Gallant, S. N., Goldenberg, A., Eytan, D., & Mazwi, M. L. (2022). An integration engineering framework for machine learning in healthcare. Frontiers in Digital Health, 4, 932411.
Kyeremeh, K. (2019). Overview of System Development Life Cycle Models. SSRN Electronic Journal.
Maindze, A. (2018). Developing a Knowledge Management System for Integrated Vehicle Health Management Using a Data Life Cycle Model. Annual Conference of the PHM Society, 10(1).
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2021). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Mohino, de V., Higuera, B., Higuera, B., & Montalvo, S. (2019). The Application of a New Secure Software Development Life Cycle (S-SDLC) with Agile Methodologies. Electronics, 8(11), 1218.
Singletary, V., & Baker, E. L. (2019). Building Informatics-Savvy Health Departments. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 25(6), 610–611.
