What phase follows the planning phase in the Systems Acquisition process?

The design phase follows the planning phase in the systems acquisition process. This phase is critical as it involves turning the requirements and strategies identified during the planning phase into actionable designs for the system. It focuses on establishing the architecture, components, modules, interfaces, and data for a system.

During the design phase, a detailed plan is developed that specifies how the system will operate and meet the outlined criteria. It also includes considerations for usability, scalability, security, and performance, ensuring that the system is not only functional but also aligns with the overall strategy defined in the planning phase. Effectively, the design phase sets the foundation for subsequent development and implementation efforts, serving as a bridge between high-level planning and practical execution.