A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

What is the purpose of planning the System Life Cycle?

1. To reduce the number of employees needed

2. To maximize profit margins

3. To minimize waste and ensure customer satisfaction

4. To increase data transfer speeds

The correct answer is: To minimize waste and ensure customer satisfaction

Planning the System Life Cycle is fundamentally about managing the stages of a system from initial conception through to its deployment and eventual retirement. The primary aim is to ensure that the system meets user requirements effectively while minimizing unnecessary resources and time, thus leading to efficient project management. By focusing on minimizing waste, the planning process helps to streamline resource allocation, avoid redundancies, and enhance project efficiency, which collectively contribute to customer satisfaction. When user needs are effectively understood and addressed at every phase, it results in a product that aligns well with expectations, ultimately fostering a positive user experience. While elements like profit margins and employee counts may be indirectly influenced by effective planning, they are not the primary goals. Similarly, data transfer speeds are not a direct consideration of the System Life Cycle planning but more about the technical optimization of parts of the system. Thus, the emphasis on minimizing waste and ensuring ongoing customer satisfaction aligns most closely with the core purpose of planning the System Life Cycle.