At what phase(s) of the SDLC is a System Request document introduced?

The System Request document is primarily introduced during the planning phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This document serves as a formal request for a new project or system development and outlines the business needs, objectives, expected benefits, and the requirements for the proposed system.

During the planning phase, stakeholders, such as business analysts and project sponsors, identify and evaluate potential projects based on organizational goals and strategy. The introduction of the System Request at this stage is critical because it provides a structured approach for initiating discussions around project feasibility and resource allocation. By assessing the needs articulated in this document, decision-makers can decide whether to proceed further with the analysis, design, and subsequent phases of the SDLC.

In contrast, the analysis phase focuses on gathering detailed requirements and defining how the system will function but does not introduce a new System Request. Similarly, the implementation phase is oriented towards constructing, deploying, and maintaining the system rather than generating new project documentation. Thus, the introduction of the System Request is exclusive to the planning phase due to its role in laying the groundwork for what comes next in the SDLC.