The SDLC covers creation of the product, but routine maintenance and ultimate decommissioning are addressed in different models.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Depends on the project

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the SDLC is a lifecycle, not just a creation phase. While you may focus on building the product during development, the SDLC also covers what happens after deployment: ongoing maintenance and eventual retirement. Maintenance keeps the system functioning correctly, applying patches, fixes, and small enhancements, and ensures it continues to meet user needs. When the system reaches end-of-life, a decommissioning or retirement process handles data migration, archiving, secure disposal of hardware and software, and responsibilities transfer. Some organizations interface with separate operational frameworks (for example, IT service management) for ongoing support, but these activities are still connected to and managed within the broader lifecycle. Therefore, the statement is not correct—the SDLC typically includes maintenance and decommissioning as part of its lifecycle, not as separate models.