Final answer:
Software engineering work can be divided into three phases: defining what to develop, focusing on how to implement the design, and managing changes post-development. These phases are part of a repetitive and iterative design process, which includes additional considerations such as ethical and economic impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The work associated with software engineering can generally be broken down into three core phases, each focusing on a specific aspect of product development:
- The phase that focuses on what to develop, often called the requirements or preparatory phase. This phase involves understanding and documenting the needs and constraints of the project.
- The phase that focuses on how to develop the product, which is the development or implementation phase. During this time, the actual design and coding of the software take place.
- The phase that focuses on change, which includes maintenance and iteration after the product has been developed. This encompasses the program evaluation, refinement, and development of lessons learned phases.
Throughout these phases, the engineering design process is repetitive or cyclical, often requiring multiple iterations of prototyping, testing, and refinement. Additionally, effective engineering considers various aspects such as scientific, ethical, economic, and legal elements. Communication and teamwork skills are important for engineers alongside technical knowledge. An engineering degree offers flexibility and opportunities for work in various settings and locations around the world. Moreover, engineering teams are typically collaborative and diverse, consisting of members with different specialties.