- A
Spiral
Why wrong: Spiral model combines iterative development with risk analysis, not strictly sequential.
- B
Waterfall
Waterfall follows sequential phases and is suited for predictable projects.
- C
Scrum
Why wrong: Scrum is an agile framework with sprints, not sequential phases.
- D
Agile
Why wrong: Agile uses iterative cycles and adapts to changing requirements, not sequential phases.
Question 448 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 software development team follows a methodology where work is divided into fixed sequential phases: requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Changes to requirements are difficult once a phase is completed. Which development methodology is being used?
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 model is a linear sequential software development methodology where each phase (requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, maintenance) must be completed before the next begins. This rigidity makes it difficult to accommodate changes to requirements once a phase is finished, exactly as described in the question.
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.
- ✗
Spiral
Why it's wrong here
Spiral model combines iterative development with risk analysis, not strictly sequential.
- ✓
Waterfall
Why this is correct
Waterfall follows sequential phases and is suited for predictable projects.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Scrum
Why it's wrong here
Scrum is an agile framework with sprints, not sequential phases.
- ✗
Agile
Why it's wrong here
Agile uses iterative cycles and adapts to changing requirements, not sequential phases.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between sequential (Waterfall) and iterative (Agile/Spiral) methodologies by emphasizing the inability to change requirements after a phase is completed, which directly points to Waterfall and not to the risk-driven cycles of Spiral or the adaptive nature of Agile frameworks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Waterfall model, formalized by Winston W. Royce in 1970, treats each phase as a distinct stage with formal sign-offs and documentation deliverables. In practice, this means that a requirement change after the design phase often requires revisiting and re-approving all prior phases, leading to significant cost and schedule overruns. This model is still used in projects with well-understood, stable requirements, such as certain government or safety-critical systems.
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: Waterfall — The Waterfall model is a linear sequential software development methodology where each phase (requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, maintenance) must be completed before the next begins. This rigidity makes it difficult to accommodate changes to requirements once a phase is finished, exactly as described in the question.
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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