Module 1: The Software Development Lifecycle

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In this post, I provide complete, accurate, and detailed explanations for the answers to Module 1: The Software Development Lifecycle of Course 1:Introduction to Software Engineering – IBM AI Developer Professional Certificate .

Whether you’re preparing for quizzes or brushing up on your knowledge, these insights will help you master the concepts effectively. Let’s dive into the correct answers and detailed explanations for each question!

Overview of Software Engineering

Practice Assignment

1. Which of the following best describes the primary responsibilities of a software engineer?

  • Designing the user experience
  • Designing, building, and maintaining software systems ✅
  • Writing test cases based on requirements
  • Writing documentation

Explanation:
Software engineers are primarily responsible for the entire software development process — from planning and designing to building, testing, and maintaining applications or systems. The other options (writing test cases, UX design, documentation) may be related tasks, but they are not the primary responsibilities.

2. Which of the following best describes a key advantage for a business to follow the SDLC?

  • It defines the roles of the development team.
  • The SDLC offers an overview of the process, so stakeholders know where they fit into that process.  ✅v
  • It allows for creativity because of its adhoc approach to software development.
  • It tells the QA team what test cases to write.

Explanation:
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) provides a structured approach to software development, helping all involved parties (including stakeholders, developers, testers, etc.) understand the phases, roles, and expectations, thereby reducing confusion and improving efficiency.

3. Which of the following best describes an activity that happens in the planning phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC)?

  • The coding process begins.
  • Bugs are identified.
  • Software architecture is designed.
  • User requirements are written. ✅

Explanation:
During the planning phase, teams gather and define user and business requirements. This helps set the foundation for later phases like design, development, and testing. Coding, bug fixing, and architecture design happen after planning.

4. Which of the following best describes an alpha release?

  • It is the first functioning version of a system released to a select group of stakeholders. ✅
  • It meets all functional requirements.
  • It is intended for all users.
  • It is the most stable release.

Explanation:
An alpha release is an early version of the software, often incomplete or buggy, but it includes enough functionality for internal testing by a select group. It’s not yet stable or fully feature-complete like a beta or final release.

5. Which statement best describes the User Requirements Specification (URS)?

  • It can be combined with the Software Requirements Specification to form the System Requirements Specification (SysRS).
  • It primarily contains use cases. ✅
  • It contains functional, external interface, and non-functional requirements.
  • It contains policy and regulation requirements.

Explanation:
While not the most detailed technical document, the User Requirements Specification (URS) often outlines what users expect the system to do, usually through high-level descriptions of functionality — often in the form of use cases.

The Software Building Process and Associated Roles

Practice Assignment

6. Which of the following best describes the Waterfall approach to the software development lifecycle (SDLC)?

  • It is a sequential approach to the SDLC. ✅
  • It is an iterative approach to the SDLC.
  • Tests are written during the validation phase.
  • The last stage is called the “feedback stage” rather than the “maintenance stage.”

Explanation:
The Waterfall model follows a linear and sequential approach, where each phase must be completed before moving to the next — from requirements to design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. There is minimal iteration or backtracking.

7. In semantic numbering, what does the 9 in the version number 9.1.33.6 represent?

  • The “9” position indicates that minor changes were made to a piece of software.
  • The “9” position indicates changes that are less significant than a patch.
  • The “9” position indicates patches or minor bug fixes.
  • The “9” position indicates major changes to the software such as a new release. ✅

Explanation:
Semantic versioning follows the format: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH.BUILD.

  • 9 is the major version — used when there are significant changes, possibly breaking backward compatibility.
  • 1 is minor — for backward-compatible feature additions.
  • 33 is patch — for backward-compatible bug fixes.
  • 6 is build or revision.

8. Which of the following best describes non-functional testing?

  • The goal of non-functional testing is to make sure the application is usable and accessible.
  • It is only concerned with inputs and corresponding outputs of the system under test.
  • It tests application attributes like performance and security. ✅
  • It consists of black-box testing rather than white-box testing.

Explanation:
Non-functional testing focuses on how well the system performs, including aspects like:

  • Performance
  • Security
  • Scalability
  • Usability
  • Reliability
    This differs from functional testing, which tests what the system does (inputs/outputs).

9. Which role is primarily responsible for facilitating communication among team members and stakeholders?

  • Information developer
  • Scrum-master ✅
  • Product manager
  • Software architect

Explanation:
The Scrum Master is a key figure in Agile/Scrum frameworks, responsible for:

  • Facilitating team collaboration
  • Removing roadblocks
  • Ensuring Agile processes are followed
  • Acting as a communication bridge between team and stakeholders

10. Which of the following describes a difference between process documentation compared to product documentation?

  • Process documentation is intended for the quality assurance team whereas product documentation is intended for the system administrators.
  • Process documentation is in a written format whereas product documentation is in video format.
  • Process documentation explains how to execute procedures whereas product documentation explains how to use the software. ✅
  • Process documentation provides technical documentation to the developers whereas product documentation explains how to execute business processes.

Explanation:

  • Process documentation outlines how tasks or procedures are carried out (e.g., deployment process, bug tracking workflow).
  • Product documentation helps users understand how to use the actual software (e.g., user manuals, installation guides).

Graded Quiz: The Software Development Lifecycle

Graded Assignment

11. Which of the following is the best description of software engineering?

  • The application of scientific principles to the design and creation of software. ✅
  • The application of scientific principles to the organization of a software system.
  • The set of all activities related to software development.
  • Any activity related to software development.

Explanation:
Software engineering applies engineering principles to software development in a methodical, disciplined, and measurable way. This definition emphasizes the use of scientific and engineering principles, making it the most precise choice.

12. Which of the following best describes a key advantage for a business to follow the SDLC?

  • It helps technical writers develop accurate documentation.
  • It allows for creativity because of its ad-hoc approach to software development.
  • It gives development teams a process to follow to improve efficiency and reduce risks. ✅
  • It defines all the roles of the development team.

Explanation:
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) provides a structured approach to software development. It enhances productivity, ensures quality, and minimizes risks such as cost overruns and project failure.

13. Which of the following best describes an activity that happens in the maintenance phase of the SDLC?

  • Code is thoroughly tested.
  • The system requirements specification is written.
  • The coding process begins.
  • Fixing minor user interface issues. ✅

Explanation:
Maintenance involves updates, bug fixes, and minor changes after the product is released. Fixing UI issues is a typical maintenance task.

14. Which of the following best describes a beta release?

  • It is intended for all users.
  • It contains only partial functionality for demonstration purposes.
  • It is the fully functioning version of a system released to a select group of stakeholders. ✅
  • It is the most stable release.

Explanation:
A beta release is a near-final version shared with a limited audience for testing and feedback before the official launch. It includes most features and functionality.

15. Which statement best describes the Software Requirements Specification (SRS)?

  • It can be combined with the System Requirements Specification (SysRS) to form the User Requirements Specification (URS).
  • It primarily contains use cases.
  • It contains functional, external interface, and non-functional requirements. ✅
  • It is combined with the User Requirements Specification (URS) to form the System Requirements Specification (SysRS).

Explanation:
The SRS outlines everything the software should do (functional requirements), how it will interact with other systems (external interfaces), and qualities like performance or security (non-functional requirements).

16. Which of the following is an iterative approach to the software development lifecycle (SDLC)?

  • V-shape
  • Agile ✅
  • Waterfall
  • Verification

Explanation:
Agile is an iterative and incremental methodology that promotes adaptive planning, continuous improvement, and flexibility, allowing feedback at every stage.

17. Which of the following best describes functional testing?

  • It verifies whether the internal code structure meets industry standards.
  • Its goal is to make sure the application is usable and accessible. ✅
  • It tests application attributes like performance and security.
  • It tests application attributes like scalability and availability.

Explanation:
While traditional definitions of functional testing focus on verifying whether the application behaves according to its functional requirements (e.g., does a login button actually log in a user), some courses or frameworks may broaden the scope to include usability and accessibility as part of functional checks, especially in user-facing applications.

18. Which best describes black-box testing?

  • It is equivalent to regression testing.
  • It is used to verify internal structure, design, and coding.
  • It is equivalent to non-functional testing.
  • It is used to test inputs and outputs. ✅

Explanation:
Black-box testing focuses on the functionality of the application without knowing the internal code. Testers provide inputs and verify outputs, making it an accurate description.

19. Which role is primarily responsible for designing the software’s interface?

  • Stakeholder
  • Product owner
  • UX designer ✅
  • Software architect

Explanation:
A UX (User Experience) designer is responsible for designing how users interact with the software—its layout, navigation, and overall interface.

20. Which of the following is a type of documentation that describes the expected features and functionality of the software system?

  • Requirements ✅
  • User documentation
  • Design documentation
  • Technical documentation

Explanation:
Requirements documentation defines what the system should do—its features, behaviors, and constraints. It is used as a baseline for development and testing.

Related contents:

Module 2: Introduction to Software Development
Module 3: Basics of Programming
Module 4: Software Architecture, Design, and Patterns
Module 5: Job Opportunities and Skillsets in Software Engineering
Module 6: Final Quiz and Final Project

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