Software Quality Assurance Practice Exam

In the software development process, which step translates requirements into specific objectives?

1. External specifications

2. Requirements

3. Objectives

4. System design

The correct answer is: Objectives

The correct choice is based on the understanding of how requirements are processed in the software development lifecycle. In this context, "Objectives" serves as a bridge between the initial requirements gathered and the implementation of those requirements into a working software product. Translating requirements into specific objectives involves breaking down the broader requirements into clear, measurable targets that guide development. Objectives focus on what needs to be achieved based on the requirements, ensuring that all teams involved have a clear direction to follow as the project progresses. The other options relate to important aspects of the software development process but do not specifically involve the translation of requirements into actionable goals. For instance, external specifications detail how the system should interact with external elements, while requirements define what the system should achieve overall without being broken down into actionable steps. System design is the stage where the actual architecture and components of the software are created, which comes after objectives have been defined. Understanding this flow is crucial for effective project management and successful software development.