CompTIA CySA+ Practice Test

Which of the following options places the correct phases of the Software Development Lifecycle's waterfall method in the correct order?

1. Planning, requirements analysis, design, implementation, deployment, testing, maintenance

2. Requirements analysis, planning, design, implementation, testing, deployment, maintenance

3. Planning, requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, maintenance

4. Requirements analysis, planning, design, implementation, deployment, testing, maintenance

The correct answer is: Planning, requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, maintenance

The correct order of the phases in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) using the waterfall method is essential for understanding how software processes are structured. The sequence begins with the planning phase, which involves defining the scope and objectives of the project. Following that, requirements analysis gathers and documents what the software must achieve. The design phase then translates these requirements into specifications for how the system will be built. Once the design is established, the implementation phase involves the actual coding or building of the software. After implementation, the focus shifts to testing, where the software is evaluated for defects and ensures it meets the initial requirements. Deployment follows testing, where the software is released to users. Finally, maintenance occurs to address any issues that arise after deployment and to make necessary updates or enhancements. In this correct sequence, the flow adheres to the linear nature of the waterfall model, where each phase must be completed before moving on to the next. The other options disrupt this essential order, either by misplacing the phases or by not adhering to the linear progression of the waterfall method, leading to confusion in the development process. This reinforces the importance of understanding the proper sequencing in software development.