What is the main objective of the maintenance stage in the SDLC?

The main objective of the maintenance stage in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is to ensure the system remains relevant and functional. This stage typically involves a variety of activities that focus on correcting defects, making updates, enhancing functionality, and adapting the system to evolving user needs and changing environments.

During maintenance, teams monitor the software performance and user satisfaction, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed. This phase is crucial as it prolongs the software's useful life and helps maintain its integrity, enabling it to adapt to new requirements or external changes in technology or regulations. By prioritizing the relevance and functionality of the system, organizations can continue to derive value from their software investments over time.

While developing new features, conducting acceptance testing, and integrating new technologies may all occur in various contexts within the SDLC, they do not encapsulate the primary focus of the maintenance stage, which is all about sustaining and improving the existing system to meet ongoing business needs.