hardMultiple Select
FC0-U71 SDLC Phases Practice Question
Which of the following are phases in the software development lifecycle (SDLC)?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between SDLC phases and technical activities. Candidates may mistakenly select compilation, thinking it is a phase, or incorrectly omit deployment or requirements gathering.
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
✓
Design
Option A (Design) is correct because designing the system architecture, components, interfaces, and data models is a core SDLC phase that translates requirements into a blueprint for implementation. Option B (Testing) is correct because verification and validation activities—unit, integration, system, and acceptance testing—form a recognized SDLC phase ensuring the software meets requirements and is defect-free. Option C (Deployment) is correct because releasing the built software into production or a target environment, including installation, configuration, and rollout, is a standard SDLC phase. Option D (Requirements gathering) is correct because eliciting, analyzing, documenting, and validating stakeholder needs is the foundational SDLC phase that drives all subsequent work. Option E (Compilation) is not a phase but a build-time activity performed by a compiler within the implementation/build stage, so it does not represent a distinct SDLC phase.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Design
Why this is correct
Design is a genuine SDLC phase, translating gathered requirements into architecture, interfaces and data models before implementation. It is a distinct stage in the lifecycle, preceding coding and testing, and is recognised alongside requirements gathering, implementation, testing and maintenance.
- ✓
Testing
Why this is correct
Testing is a genuine SDLC phase, covering unit, integration, system and acceptance testing to verify the software meets requirements before release. It sits alongside requirements gathering, design, implementation, deployment and maintenance as a distinct stage in the lifecycle.
- ✓
Deployment
Why this is correct
Deployment is a distinct SDLC phase in which the completed, tested software is released into the production environment and made available to users. It follows implementation and testing, and precedes ongoing maintenance, satisfying the question's requirement for a genuine lifecycle phase.
- ✓
Requirements gathering
Why this is correct
Requirements gathering is a genuine SDLC phase, capturing and documenting what the system must do before any design or coding begins. It anchors the lifecycle, feeding the design and testing stages, and is recognised as a distinct phase alongside design, implementation and testing.
- ✗
Compilation
Why it's wrong here
Compilation is an implementation activity within the coding phase, not a distinct SDLC phase such as requirements, design, development, testing, deployment or maintenance. It is tempting because it is a recognisable development step, and would be correct if the question asked about activities inside the build stage rather than lifecycle phases.
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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.