The ___________ phase focuses on designing the architecture and system components.

The correct option is Design. In the design phase of the SDLC, the software system's architecture, structure, modules, interfaces, and data flow are planned and documented. This phase bridges the gap between the requirements gathered and the actual implementation. It involves creating detailed technical specifications, such as system diagrams, database designs, user interface designs, and algorithmic designs. The design phase lays the groundwork for the development team to start coding based on the established design.