- A
Implementation
Why wrong: Implementation is coding, which occurs later.
- B
Analysis
Why wrong: Analysis involves detailed requirements analysis, but planning is earlier.
- C
Planning
Planning is the first SDLC phase where scope and requirements are defined.
- D
Design
Why wrong: Design comes after analysis.
Question 734 of 1,000
FC0-U61 Software Development Practice Question
This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of software development. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project team is in the phase where they gather business requirements, define project scope, and create a project plan. This phase occurs before any design or coding begins. Which SDLC phase is being described?
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
✓
Planning
Option C (Planning) is correct because the SDLC Planning phase is specifically where business requirements are gathered, project scope is defined, and a project plan is created before any design or coding begins. This phase establishes the high-level goals, feasibility, and resource allocation that drive all subsequent phases.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Implementation
Why it's wrong here
Implementation is coding, which occurs later.
- ✗
Analysis
Why it's wrong here
Analysis involves detailed requirements analysis, but planning is earlier.
- ✓
Planning
Why this is correct
Planning is the first SDLC phase where scope and requirements are defined.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Design
Why it's wrong here
Design comes after analysis.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the 'Analysis' phase with the 'Planning' phase, mistakenly thinking that requirements gathering is exclusive to Analysis, when in fact Planning is the first phase where high-level business requirements and scope are defined before any detailed analysis begins.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In the SDLC, the Planning phase often produces a Project Charter and a Feasibility Study, which are formal documents that justify the project's existence and secure funding. The Planning phase also defines the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and initial risk assessment, which are critical for estimating effort and scheduling. Without a solid Planning phase, later phases like Design and Implementation risk scope creep and budget overruns.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the FC0-U61 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this FC0-U61 question test?
Software Development — This question tests Software Development — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Planning — Option C (Planning) is correct because the SDLC Planning phase is specifically where business requirements are gathered, project scope is defined, and a project plan is created before any design or coding begins. This phase establishes the high-level goals, feasibility, and resource allocation that drive all subsequent phases.
What should I do if I get this FC0-U61 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This FC0-U61 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-U61 exam.
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