In which stage of systems development are design specifications created?

The correct answer is the systems design stage. During this stage, detailed design specifications are developed based on the requirements identified in the previous analysis phase. These specifications outline how the system will operate and provide a blueprint for developers, detailing the architecture, data structures, user interfaces, and other components necessary for building the system.

This stage translates user needs and functional requirements into actual design elements, ensuring that the final product meets expectations and performs correctly. It is crucial for setting the foundation for the system’s implementation and ensuring that developers have a clear understanding of what they need to create.

The other stages do not focus on creating design specifications. For instance, in systems analysis, the focus is on gathering and analyzing requirements rather than crafting designs, while testing involves evaluating the system’s functionality after it has been developed. Conversion is concerned with the implementation and transition of the system into a live environment, not with the design process itself.