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Why Systems Transition from Evolution to Servicing

publish date: 2026/06/22 22:28:17.677772 UTC

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Why does a software system typically transition from the evolution phase to the servicing phase?

Servicing is required before software can legally be sold to customers

Government regulation requires all software to enter a servicing phase after exactly five years

The original developers always quit once a system reaches the evolution phase

As the software is modified repeatedly, its structure degrades, making significant changes progressively less cost-effective

Correct Answer

As the software is modified repeatedly, its structure degrades, making significant changes progressively less cost-effective

Explanation

As software is modified over time, its structure tends to degrade, and system changes become increasingly expensive. This often happens after years of use, when environmental changes such as new hardware or operating systems are also required, pushing the software toward the less cost-effective servicing phase.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

Evolution vs. Servicing - Lifecycle Phases