Software Quality Assurance Practice Exam

In which phase of software development is the majority of defects typically introduced?

1. Requirements phase

2. Design phase

3. Coding phase

4. Testing phase

The correct answer is: Requirements phase

The majority of defects are typically introduced during the requirements phase of software development. This is primarily because this phase involves gathering and defining what the software is supposed to do based on stakeholder needs and expectations. If the requirements are incomplete, ambiguous, or misunderstood, it can lead to flawed foundations for the entire project. Since the requirements serve as the basis for subsequent design and coding activities, any errors or misunderstandings at this stage can propagate through the development process, becoming more costly to fix as the project progresses. Changes made later in development, particularly after coding and testing, tend to require significant rework and can introduce additional issues, further compounding the problem. The importance of thorough requirements gathering emphasizes the need for collaboration with stakeholders and careful documentation to ensure clarity and completeness, which ultimately helps in minimizing defects as the project moves forward.