The _______ phase of the system decides how the system will operate in terms of hardware, software and network infrastructure.

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (2):
The **Design** phase of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is where the detailed blueprint of the system is created based on the documented requirements. After the Analysis phase determines *what* the system must do, the Design phase determines *how* the system will achieve those goals. This process involves translating the abstract requirements into concrete specifications for all technical components. This includes defining the exact **hardware** needed (servers, storage, end-user devices), selecting the appropriate **software** architecture, programming languages, and databases, and specifying the necessary **network infrastructure** (such as protocols, security layers, and topology) for the system to operate efficiently. Essentially, the Design phase makes all the foundational technical decisions for the system's operation.

The incorrect option is (1):
The **Analysis** phase precedes design and is purely focused on understanding the problem and documenting the system's functional and non-functional requirements. Its main deliverable is a requirements specification which defines *what* the system must accomplish for the user, but not *how* the solution will be constructed. Decisions about specific hardware or network components fall outside the scope of requirement gathering.

The incorrect option is (3):
The **Implementation** phase is the construction stage of the SDLC, which follows the design phase. During this phase, the programmers write the code, and the technical team installs and configures the hardware and network infrastructure *according to the specifications* set in the Design phase. It is the execution of the plan, not the phase where the plan for the infrastructure is decided.

The incorrect option is (4):
The **Planning** phase is the very first, high-level phase of the SDLC. Its primary goal is to establish the project scope, determine its overall feasibility (technical, economic, and scheduling), and obtain high-level management approval. While it sets the stage, it does not delve into the detailed, technical specifics of the operational hardware, software, or network configurations; those detailed decisions are deferred until the Design phase.