In our recent webinar, experts from IDC joined Presidio to discuss the transformative role of generative AI (GenAI) in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). The conversation highlighted how GenAI is revolutionizing various phases of software development, from planning to quality assurance. Here are the webinar’s top takeaways:
The Breadth of GenAI Use Cases in SDLC
Michelle Rosen, Research Manager at IDC, emphasized the importance of a use case-focused approach to adopting GenAI. IDC has identified numerous GenAI applications across five categories in the SDLC:
- Planning
- Development
- DevOps
- Quality
- Safety
While code generation often dominates discussions, it’s just one of many ways GenAI can accelerate and improve the software development process.
Human-Centric Approach to AI Integration
Rob Kim, CTO at Presidio, stressed the importance of framing AI adoption in terms of how humans can utilize GenAI tools to solve problems, rather than replacing human roles. This approach enables software development teams to leverage human creativity and design skills while using AI to enhance execution and problem-solving.
GenAI in the SDLC Planning Phase
Planning consumes a significant portion of software developers’ time, with surveys showing that developers spend only about 15% of their work time writing code. GenAI can help streamline and optimize the planning process in several ways:
- Requirements documentation: GenAI can accelerate the production of requirements, analyze previous projects, and enable natural language querying of documentation.
- Task management: AI-driven tools can assist in prioritizing work streams and improving efficiency in design functions.
GenAI Coding Assistants in the Development Phase
While code generation is a well-known application of GenAI, there are additional benefits and other valuable use cases in the development phase:
- Code explanation: Helping new developers understand existing codebases
- Code documentation: Automating the process of generating complex technical documentation
A survey revealed that 90% of developers have used a coding assistant in the past year, indicating mainstream adoption. However, daily usage is not yet as high, suggesting that developers are selectively applying these AI tools to their projects.
Conclusion: A Valuable SDLC Asset
Generative AI is proving to be a game-changer across the entire software development lifecycle. By augmenting human skills and streamlining processes, GenAI has the potential to significantly improve productivity, clarity, and accuracy in software development. As GenAI technology and tools continue to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative applications that will shape the future of software engineering.
Want to learn more? Watch the IDC on-demand webinar here.
