Which term describes the process of designing, implementing, and maintaining a broad set of IT systems, including hardware, software, and processes?

Which term describes the process of designing, implementing, and maintaining a broad set of IT systems, including hardware, software, and processes?

• A. System development lifecycle
• B. IT governance
• C. Software development lifecycle
• D. System life cycle

Answer: (D)

The process described is the full lifecycle of an information system as an integrated entity—from initial concept through design, deployment, ongoing operation, maintenance, and eventual retirement. This broad view includes hardware, software, and the processes that run and govern how the system is used, updated, and finally decommissioned. That scope is captured by the term that refers to the system’s life from start to finish, not just the development or software aspects. The other terms are narrower or focus on governance. System development lifecycle centers on creating and deploying a system, often with emphasis on the development phases and not necessarily the ongoing life of the entire system. Software development lifecycle targeted at software products misses the hardware and organizational processes. IT governance is about policy, oversight, and decision-making rather than the end-to-end lifecycle of a system.

The process described is the full lifecycle of an information system as an integrated entity—from initial concept through design, deployment, ongoing operation, maintenance, and eventual retirement. This broad view includes hardware, software, and the processes that run and govern how the system is used, updated, and finally decommissioned. That scope is captured by the term that refers to the system’s life from start to finish, not just the development or software aspects.

The other terms are narrower or focus on governance. System development lifecycle centers on creating and deploying a system, often with emphasis on the development phases and not necessarily the ongoing life of the entire system. Software development lifecycle targeted at software products misses the hardware and organizational processes. IT governance is about policy, oversight, and decision-making rather than the end-to-end lifecycle of a system.