What is the outcome of the analysis phase in systems development?

The analysis phase in systems development is fundamentally aimed at understanding and documenting user requirements. This phase focuses on gathering input from stakeholders to define what the system is supposed to achieve. The key outcome is the thorough documentation of these user requirements, which serves as a foundation for subsequent phases in the development process.

While the development of program specifications is a critical step that follows the analysis phase, it is not the direct outcome of that phase itself. The analysis phase primarily results in a comprehensive understanding of user needs rather than the creation of specifications, which detail how the software will be built.

Implementation of the software and testing for bugs occur in later phases, specifically after requirements have been analyzed and specifications developed. Therefore, the correct choice emphasizes the importance of accurately documenting user requirements as the essential output of the analysis phase. Without a clear articulation of these requirements, successful software development becomes significantly more challenging, potentially leading to misunderstandings and unmet user expectations.