A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

Which of these is a stage in the waterfall system life cycle?

1. Deployment

2. Design

3. Configuration

4. Implementation

The correct answer is: Design

The stage identified as the design phase is indeed a fundamental part of the waterfall system life cycle. In this phase, the requirements gathered in the initial stage are translated into a blueprint for constructing the system. This blueprint outlines both the system architecture and the overall design, detailing how the system will fulfill the specified requirements. The design phase is critical because it serves as a guide for the subsequent stages of the life cycle. By providing a structured layout of how components will interact, it helps ensure that the final product meets the users' needs and adheres to any technical constraints. The design phase typically involves creating technical specifications, user interfaces, data structures, and algorithms, which all play a crucial role in system development. While other stages such as deployment, configuration, and implementation are important in the broader system lifecycle, they do not specifically represent a distinct phase within the original waterfall model. Deployment involves releasing the completed system for user access, configuration relates to setting up system components, and implementation refers to the actual coding and construction of the system based on the design documents. These stages generally follow after the design has been established, securing the critical role of the design phase in ensuring a successful software development process.