An Overview of Software Development Phases
Which phase in software development is the most costly to fix errors?
An error found during the ___________ phase is the most expensive to fix. a) Planning b) Implementation c) Testing d) Maintenance
Answer:
An error found during the maintenance phase is the most expensive to fix. The phases in the development of software or a system typically include planning, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Each phase has its associated costs and challenges, but addressing errors during the maintenance phase often involves reworking systems that are already in use, which can disrupt operations and typically requires more resources to correct.
Fixing an error in the maintenance phase may require analyzing complex dependencies and potential side effects of changes, updating documentation, retraining users, and performing additional rounds of testing. Earlier detection and resolution of issues, especially during the planning or implementation phases, are typically less costly as they can be handled before the system is broadly deployed.
The various phases can be briefly described as follows:- Planning: Defining objectives, scope, and feasibility of the project.
- Implementation: The actual construction or coding of the project.
- Testing: Verifying the system works as intended.
- Maintenance: Ongoing support after the project is deployed, including error correction, enhancements, and optimization.