How to Manage the Software Development Lifecycle With ClickUp

ClickUp can streamline every stage of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) when you use the right structure, views, and workflows based on proven SDLC best practices.

This how-to guide walks you through setting up an SDLC workspace, managing each phase, and improving collaboration so your team ships higher-quality software faster.

Step 1: Understand the SDLC Stages You Will Map in ClickUp

Before you build anything, clarify how your team defines the SDLC. The reference model from the source article describes six classic phases:

• Requirement analysis
• Planning
• Design
• Development
• Testing and deployment
• Maintenance

Your goal is to mirror these stages in ClickUp so work flows clearly from idea to release and upkeep.

You can also map other SDLC models mentioned in the source material, including:

• Waterfall model
• Iterative model
• Spiral model
• V-shaped model
• Big Bang model

Decide which model you use most often, then align your spaces, folders, lists, and statuses accordingly.

Step 2: Build an SDLC Space in ClickUp

Next, create a dedicated workspace structure so your development lifecycle is easy to navigate.

Set Up a Software Development Space in ClickUp

1. Create a new Space named something like “Software Development SDLC”.

2. Add Folders to represent major products, platforms, or teams (for example, “Web App”, “Mobile App”, “API Services”).

3. Inside each Folder, create Lists that align with SDLC phases or projects.

Common List patterns include:

• By phase: Requirements, Design, Implementation, Testing, Deployment, Maintenance
• By release: “Release 1.0”, “Release 1.1” with tasks grouped by phase using statuses or custom fields

Create SDLC-Friendly Statuses in ClickUp

Statuses should make it obvious where each work item sits in the lifecycle. Based on the SDLC phases in the source article, you might configure statuses like:

• Backlog
• In Analysis
• In Design
• In Development
• In Testing
• Ready for Release
• Released
• In Maintenance

These statuses help visualize progress from early analysis through long-term support.

Step 3: Capture Requirements and Planning in ClickUp

The first SDLC stages focus on understanding the problem and planning a realistic solution. Use ClickUp to centralize this work.

Use ClickUp Docs for Requirement Analysis

According to the source article, the requirements phase is where you gather user needs, business rules, and constraints. In ClickUp:

• Create a Doc for each feature, project, or epic.
• Use headings like “Business Requirements”, “Functional Requirements”, and “Non-functional Requirements”.
• Mention stakeholders and engineers directly in the Doc for feedback.

Turn bullet points in your Docs into ClickUp tasks so implementation work is always linked back to approved requirements.

Plan the Project With Tasks and Custom Fields in ClickUp

The SDLC planning phase covers timelines, resources, and risks. Set this up by:

• Creating a “Planning” List to hold epics or milestones.
• Adding custom fields for estimate (hours or story points), priority, risk level, and target release.
• Assigning owners and due dates for each key deliverable.

Use the Gantt view to map dependencies between tasks and visualize your overall software roadmap.

Step 4: Design Your Solution Using ClickUp Views

The design phase turns approved requirements into concrete technical plans.

Document System and Technical Design in ClickUp

The source article highlights activities like architecture, UI, and database design. Use ClickUp to manage them by:

• Creating a “Design” List under each product Folder.
• Adding tasks for architecture diagrams, database schemas, API contracts, and UI mockups.
• Attaching diagrams, linking design tools, or embedding files directly inside tasks.

Use Docs for design specifications and decision records, then link those Docs to the relevant tasks.

Review and Approve Designs in ClickUp

To avoid costly changes later in the SDLC, add a clear review process:

• Create a custom field for “Design Status” (Draft, In Review, Approved).
• Use comments and task assignees to track reviewers and requested changes.
• Change task status to “In Development” only after design is approved.

Step 5: Manage Development Work in ClickUp

The development phase is where code is written, reviewed, and integrated.

Organize Development Sprints in ClickUp

Based on the SDLC models described in the source page, many teams work iteratively. In ClickUp:

• Create a “Development” List for each release or sprint.
• Convert requirements or design tasks into smaller development tasks or subtasks.
• Use the Board view to manage work by status.

Assign each task to a developer, set due dates, and track effort estimates to monitor workload.

Connect Development Work to SDLC Requirements

To maintain traceability across the SDLC:

• Link development tasks to their originating requirement Doc or task.
• Use relationships or task dependencies to show which features must be completed first.
• Tag tasks with labels such as “Backend”, “Frontend”, or “DevOps”.

This ensures every piece of code maps back to a clear requirement, as recommended in the article.

Step 6: Control Testing and Deployment With ClickUp

The testing and deployment phase checks software quality and readiness for release.

Build a Testing Workflow in ClickUp

The source article explains that effective testing should verify both functional and non-functional requirements. In ClickUp you can:

• Create a “Testing & QA” List.
• Add tasks for test case creation, automated test suites, and regression cycles.
• Use custom fields for test type, environment, and result (Pass, Fail, Blocked).

When defects are found, create bug tasks and link them to the feature tasks they affect.

Track Releases and Deployments Using ClickUp

Turn releases into clearly visible milestones:

• Create tasks for each release candidate and deployment event.
• Use the Calendar or Timeline view to see upcoming release dates.
• Add checklists for pre-release, deployment, and post-release verification steps.

This keeps the final transition from testing to production fully traceable across the SDLC.

Step 7: Handle Maintenance and Continuous Improvement in ClickUp

Maintenance is the long tail of the software development lifecycle where bug fixes, optimizations, and enhancements occur.

Centralize Support Requests in ClickUp

Set up Lists for support tickets and maintenance tasks:

• Capture user issues, incidents, and change requests.
• Use custom fields for severity, impact, and affected version.
• Relate maintenance tasks to original feature tasks or releases.

This follows the article’s guidance to treat maintenance as a structured SDLC phase, not informal work.

Use ClickUp Reporting to Improve the SDLC

Analyze how your lifecycle performs over time:

• Track cycle time from requirement to release.
• Monitor the number of defects discovered in each phase.
• Review how often maintenance issues trace back to unclear requirements or rushed testing.

Use these insights to adjust your SDLC processes, such as adding more design reviews or earlier test planning.

Step 8: Align ClickUp With Your Chosen SDLC Model

The source article compares several SDLC models. You can adapt ClickUp for each one.

• Waterfall: Use separate phase-based Lists and move tasks strictly from one List to the next.
• Iterative or Spiral: Create release-based Lists and loop through the same statuses multiple times per feature.
• V-shaped: Pair development tasks with corresponding test tasks in mirrored Lists.
• Big Bang: Use simplified statuses but still capture requirements, testing, and maintenance so work remains documented.

Whichever model you choose, keep the same core principle from the article: every phase of the SDLC is explicit, documented, and measurable.

Step 9: Learn More About SDLC and Optimize Your Setup

To deepen your understanding of SDLC theory and examples, review the original guide at this software development lifecycle article. Then refine your ClickUp workflows to mirror the practices that best match your team.

If you need expert help designing advanced SDLC processes, integrations, and automation around ClickUp, you can also consult specialists at Consultevo for implementation support.

By mapping each SDLC phase into a clear structure, using Docs for requirements and design, and tracking development, testing, and maintenance tasks in one place, you turn ClickUp into a complete operating system for software delivery.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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