Which sequence lists the typical steps of the software development lifecycle?

Which sequence lists the typical steps of the software development lifecycle?

• A. Planning, budgeting, hiring, relegation
• B. Coding only
• C. Testing and deployment only
• D. Requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, maintenance

Answer: (D)

The sequence reflects the typical flow from understanding what needs to be built to delivering and supporting it. It starts with gathering and agreeing on requirements, which defines what the system must do. Then designers translate those requirements into a plan or blueprint for the solution. Next, developers implement that plan by writing the code. After that, testing checks that the software works correctly and meets quality standards before it goes live. Deployment puts the finished product into production so users can use it. Finally, maintenance keeps the system running smoothly, addressing bugs, updates, and improvements over time. This order ensures each phase builds on the previous one, leading to a reliable, workable product.

The other options skip or condense essential phases. Planning, budgeting, hiring, and other management tasks aren’t a concrete sequence of the software itself. Coding only misses design, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Testing and deployment only omit the earlier steps that define what to build and how to structure it. Therefore, the full sequence shown in the long form best represents how software development typically unfolds.