The database design life cycle ( DDLS ) consists of various steps initiated by the database design and development team during the planning , designing and developing the database. The database design life cycle consists of following steps : Database Planning. Data Requirements Analysis. Database Design. Database Implementation. Database Testing. Database Maintenance. After the database development stage is complete, the next step is to test the database for the data accuracy, consistency and integrity. The last step in the DDLC is the database maintenance.