Which of the following is NOT a component of the System Development Life Cycle?

The correct choice highlights that Financial Forecasting is not a component of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The SDLC is a structured process that guides the development of software systems through a series of defined stages, each serving a specific purpose in the project management of software creation.

The key components of the SDLC typically include Investigation, Design, Implementation, Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance. Each of these stages plays a crucial role in ensuring that a software project is well planned, developed, and maintained effectively.

Investigation involves gathering requirements and defining the problem or opportunity that the software will address. Design focuses on outlining how the system will meet these requirements through architectural planning and interface design. Implementation is where the actual development of the software occurs, leading to a functional product.

Financial forecasting, while important for budgeting and financial planning within a project or organization, does not fit into the framework of the SDLC process itself. Instead, it can be seen as a separate aspect of project management that may influence how resources are allocated throughout the SDLC phases, but is not a phase of the cycle in itself. Understanding this distinction is crucial for those involved in the management and development of technology systems.