The systems development life cycle (SDLC) contains several phases. The phase in which the primary focus is on examining the current system and developing a list of user requirements is the:

The initial study/analysis phase of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) is critical for laying the groundwork for a successful project. During this phase, the primary goal is to conduct a thorough examination of the existing system, which includes identifying its strengths, weaknesses, and overall functionality. By engaging with stakeholders and users, the development team gathers comprehensive requirements that reflect what users need and expect from the new system. This user-focused approach ensures that any system enhancements align with real-world usage and operational requirements.

Gathering user requirements is essential in this phase because it forms the basis for all subsequent stages in the SDLC. This information guides the design and implementation phases by ensuring that the system ultimately developed meets the actual needs of its users, thus increasing the likelihood of user acceptance and satisfaction.

In contrast, the design phase is where the requirements identified earlier are translated into system specifications, not where those requirements are developed. The implementation phase involves executing the design, while the maintenance/evaluation phase focuses on monitoring and updating the system after it has been deployed. Therefore, the emphasis on examining the current system and collecting user requirements distinctly characterizes the initial study/analysis phase.