FC0-U71 Software Development Concepts Practice Question
A developer is planning a new project that has very clear and fixed requirements. The project must be completed in a linear fashion with each phase finished before moving to the next. Which development methodology should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse 'linear' with 'iterative' and pick Agile or Scrum because they are popular, but the question explicitly states 'fixed requirements' and 'each phase finished before moving to the next,' which directly points to Waterfall.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Waterfall
The Waterfall methodology is correct because it follows a linear, sequential approach where each phase (e.g., requirements, design, implementation, testing) must be completed before the next begins. This aligns perfectly with the project's very clear and fixed requirements, as Waterfall assumes that all requirements are known upfront and changes are minimized.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Spiral
Why it's wrong here
Spiral model is risk-driven and iterative, not purely linear.
- ✗
Scrum
Why it's wrong here
Scrum is an agile framework with sprints, not sequential phases.
- ✗
Agile
Why it's wrong here
Agile is iterative and adaptive, not sequential with fixed phases.
- ✓
Waterfall
Why this is correct
Waterfall is linear and phase-based, suitable for fixed-scope projects.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on FC0-U71
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A development team is building a new mobile app. The project has a fixed budget and scope, and the requirements are well-understood from the start. Which software development methodology would be most appropriate for this project?
easy- A.Spiral
- B.Scrum
- ✓ C.Waterfall
- D.Agile
Why C: The waterfall methodology is best for projects with fixed scope and well-understood requirements because it follows sequential phases and is not designed to handle changes easily.
Variation 2. A software development team is working on a project with fixed requirements and a strict deadline. The project manager decides to use a methodology where each phase must be completed before moving to the next. Which development methodology is being used?
easy- A.Agile
- B.Scrum
- ✓ C.Waterfall
- D.Spiral
Why C: The waterfall model follows sequential phases with fixed scope, making it suitable for predictable projects with stable requirements.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.