What is the primary purpose of system design?

The primary purpose of system design is to define the architecture and components of a system. This involves creating a detailed blueprint that outlines how various elements will interact, ensuring that the system functions as intended to meet user needs. System design encompasses hardware configuration, software design, data management, and system interfaces, effectively laying the groundwork for system development and implementation.

By clearly defining the architecture, designers can identify required components, determine how they will communicate, and establish requirements for integration and scalability. This foundational work is crucial for ensuring that the resulting system is efficient, reliable, and capable of fulfilling the intended objectives. It serves as a roadmap for developers and engineers, guiding the actual building and refining of the system to meet the specified goals.

Other options, such as outlining a financial plan or conducting market research, are part of broader project management and marketing processes but do not specifically pertain to system design itself. Testing a system's performance, while essential, occurs after the system has been designed and developed, making it a later stage in the lifecycle rather than a defining purpose of system design.