What is the primary function of the analysis phase in the SDLC?

The primary function of the analysis phase in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is to define constraints and gather business requirements. During this phase, stakeholders and project teams work collaboratively to understand the needs and expectations for the system being developed. This involves identifying what the system must accomplish, the constraints it must operate under, and any specific requirements that must be met to satisfy business objectives.

Gathering business requirements ensures that the development team has a comprehensive understanding of what the end-users expect from the system, helping to avoid costly changes later in the project. This phase lays the groundwork for the subsequent design and development phases, where these requirements will be translated into functional specifications and design documents.

Other options, such as building the database or writing test conditions, pertain to later stages in the SDLC. Developing a project plan, while essential for project management, is not the core focus of the analysis phase, which is firmly anchored in understanding and documenting the needs and constraints before proceeding with design and implementation.