What is the main goal of the Planning stage in the System Development Life Cycle?

The primary goal of the Planning stage in the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is to assess and outline the costs, resources, and time necessary for the successful execution of a project. During this stage, project managers and stakeholders identify the overall objectives, establish a timeline, allocate financial resources, and determine the human and technological resources needed to carry out the project.

By focusing on these elements, the Planning stage ensures that the project is feasible and that all critical components are considered before the development process begins. Effective planning can lead to a better project outcome and reduce the risk of issues later in the development process, such as budget overruns and delays. This stage lays the groundwork for all subsequent phases, ensuring that the project aligns with user needs and organizational goals.

The other choices relate to different phases within the SDLC. Analyzing user needs typically occurs during the Requirements Gathering phase. Developing system documentation is part of the Implementation or Deployment phase, and testing system functionalities is primarily associated with the Testing phase. Each of these activities is crucial but serves its purpose in a distinct part of the overall lifecycle, making the Planning stage's focus on costs, resources, and time the most relevant answer in this context.