A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The last stage in the waterfall system life cycle is maintenance. This phase occurs after the software has been developed, tested, and deployed. During maintenance, the software is monitored and updated to fix any issues, accommodate changes in user requirements, or enhance functionality over time. This is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability and reliability of the software, as users may encounter bugs or request new features after the initial deployment.

Maintenance starts once the product is operational, making it distinct from earlier stages like design, requirements gathering, and testing. Those earlier stages focus on building the software, while maintenance is all about keeping it functional and relevant in the long term.