Which phase of the software development lifecycle follows the acceptance testing phase?

The phase of the software development lifecycle that follows the acceptance testing phase is the deployment phase. After acceptance testing, which is performed to ensure that the software meets business requirements and is ready for production use, the next logical step is deployment. This is when the software is officially released to users or clients, making it operational in a live environment.

Deployment involves several critical activities, such as installing the software to the production environment, conducting final checks, and possibly training users on how to use the new system. It is a culmination of all previous efforts in the software development process, ensuring that the application is accessible for end-user interaction.

Once deployment occurs, the software enters its next stage—maintenance—where ongoing support, updates, and patches may be addressed as needed. This highlights the importance and transition phase from deployment into maintenance, but initial transition from acceptance testing to deployment remains crucial in delivering functional software to users.