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Software Engineering as a Spiral Process

publish date: 2026/06/22 22:19:52.509012 UTC

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Why is software engineering described as a spiral process rather than a one-time linear process?

Because requirements, design, implementation, and testing continue throughout the lifetime of the system across successive releases

Because spiral diagrams are easier to draw in presentation slides than linear diagrams

Because the spiral model eliminates the need for testing after the first release

Because software development teams are organized in a circular reporting structure

Correct Answer

Because requirements, design, implementation, and testing continue throughout the lifetime of the system across successive releases

Explanation

Software engineering is a spiral process because requirements, design, implementation, and testing activities continue throughout the lifetime of a system. After release 1, changes are proposed almost immediately, and development of release 2 may begin before release 1 has even been deployed.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

Why Software Must Evolve