What does software lifecycle management encompass?

Software lifecycle management encompasses all stages of a software's lifespan, making it essential for effectively managing software from its initial conception to its eventual retirement. This approach includes several critical phases:

1. Planning: In this stage, the need for the software is identified, and key decisions regarding its development are made, such as requirement gathering and resource allocation.

2. Development: This phase involves the actual creation of the software, where developers code, test, and often iterate on the product based on feedback.

3. Deployment: After development, the software is deployed to users or clients, ensuring it’s integrated into existing systems and workflows.

4. Maintenance: Once in use, software requires ongoing support, which includes fixing bugs, making updates, and implementing new features to improve performance and user satisfaction.

5. Retirement: Eventually, software is phased out, which may involve a transition plan to newer systems, data migration, and ensuring all users are adequately supported through the change.

This comprehensive view highlights that effective software lifecycle management is crucial not only for the development and operational aspects but also for ensuring ongoing support and a smooth transition when retiring software. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the holistic nature of managing software throughout