What is a ‘system lifecycle’?

The concept of a 'system lifecycle' refers specifically to the series of stages that a system goes through from its initial conception and development to its eventual retirement or replacement. This lifecycle typically includes phases such as planning, analysis, design, implementation, operation, maintenance, and finally decommissioning. Understanding each stage is crucial for systems analysts and designers because it provides a structured framework for managing the entire span of a system’s existence.

The lifecycle helps ensure that all necessary tasks are completed systematically, allowing for efficient resource allocation, meeting user requirements, and maintaining system performance throughout its usable life. In contrast, the other choices do not encapsulate this comprehensive framework. For example, a guide for software testing is a specific aspect of the lifecycle but does not cover stages such as planning or retirement. A method for improving system performance addresses efficiency but is not a comprehensive view of a system's progression from beginning to end. Similarly, a checklist for user requirements focuses only on the needs of users without reflecting the broader series of stages involved in the lifecycle of a system.