Final answer:
In a traditional systems development environment, the process is characterized by sequential development phases, following the waterfall model, rather than methodologies like rapid prototyping or iterative cycles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within a traditional systems development environment, an emphasis is typically placed on sequential development phases. This phased approach, often referred to as the waterfall model, involves completing one phase before moving on to the next, with little to no overlap between them. This model contrasts with methodologies that focus on rapid prototyping, iterative development cycles, and collaborative cross-functional teams, which are more indicative of agile or iterative development approaches.
Specifically, traditional development environments follow a more rigid and structured path where initial requirements are gathered and each development phase must be completed and reviewed before proceeding to the next. This includes phases such as requirements analysis, system design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. In contrast, rapid prototyping and iterative development cycles allow for continuous refinement through repeated testing and evaluation, which is not characteristic of traditional systems development environments.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is C) Sequential development phases.