Quick Answer
The correct answer is the Waterfall life cycle, because it follows a strictly sequential, phase-by-phase progression where each stage—requirements, design, development, testing, and deployment—must be fully completed before the next begins, with no overlap or iteration. This linear approach is the defining characteristic of the Waterfall model, which is a predictive life cycle as described in the PMBOK Guide. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish between predictive (Waterfall) and adaptive (Agile) methodologies; a common trap is confusing a sequential phase structure with iterative models like Scrum. Remember the key clue: if the question describes a rigid, one-way flow of activities with no going back, it is Waterfall. A simple memory tip is to visualize a literal waterfall—once water flows over the edge, it cannot return upstream, just as each phase in this model cannot be revisited after completion.
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project life cycle phases. 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 manager is planning a software development project and needs to determine the sequence of activities. The team will first gather requirements, then design the architecture, then develop the code, then test, and finally deploy. Which project life cycle model is being used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Iterative
Why wrong: Iterative models repeat phases to refine deliverables, not a single pass.
Agile
Why wrong: Agile uses short iterations and adapts to change, not a rigid sequence.
Waterfall
Waterfall is linear and sequential, with phases completed one after another.
Spiral
Why wrong: Spiral focuses on risk assessment and iterative prototyping.
Answer choices
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 (Option C) is correct because it follows a strictly sequential, phase-by-phase progression: requirements, design, development, testing, and deployment, with no overlap or iteration. This linear approach is characteristic of the Waterfall life cycle, where each phase must be completed before the next begins, as described in the PMBOK Guide for predictive life cycles.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Iterative
Why it's wrong here
Iterative models repeat phases to refine deliverables, not a single pass.
Agile
Why it's wrong here
Agile uses short iterations and adapts to change, not a rigid sequence.
Waterfall
Why this is correct
Waterfall is linear and sequential, with phases completed one after another.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Spiral
Why it's wrong here
Spiral focuses on risk assessment and iterative prototyping.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse the sequential phase names with Agile or Iterative terminology, forgetting that Waterfall is defined by its strict linearity and lack of overlapping phases or feedback cycles.
Detailed technical explanation
The Waterfall model, formalized by Winston W. Royce in 1970, treats each phase as a distinct stage with formal sign-offs and documentation, making it suitable for projects with stable requirements and low uncertainty. In practice, this model is often used in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, aerospace) where traceability and sequential approval are mandated by standards like ISO 12207. A subtle behavior is that Waterfall can still allow minor feedback loops between adjacent phases, but the overall structure remains linear and non-iterative.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PK0-005 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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Project Life Cycle Phases — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Project Life Cycle Phases — This question tests Project Life Cycle Phases — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Waterfall — The Waterfall model (Option C) is correct because it follows a strictly sequential, phase-by-phase progression: requirements, design, development, testing, and deployment, with no overlap or iteration. This linear approach is characteristic of the Waterfall life cycle, where each phase must be completed before the next begins, as described in the PMBOK Guide for predictive life cycles.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This PK0-005 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 PK0-005 exam.
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