Which of the following is NOT a stage of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) comprises several well-defined stages that guide the development of information systems in a structured manner. The main stages typically include requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

Documentation, although essential throughout the SDLC, is not formally categorized as a distinct stage. It is an integral part of various stages, serving to create records of requirements, designs, user manuals, and system maintenance procedures. Each of the other stages—Analysis, Implementation, and Design—represents specific phases of system development where crucial activities are conducted to ensure a successful outcome.

By distinguishing documentation as not being a standalone stage, it highlights that while documentation is crucial to the SDLC, it supports and complements the defined stages rather than constituting one on its own. This understanding is key in studying management information systems and how they are systematically developed and maintained.