Which of the following is not a characteristic of structured system development methodologies?

Introduction / Context:
Structured system development emphasizes decomposition, clear interfaces, and formal modeling to control complexity and improve maintainability. Recognizing core characteristics helps distinguish structured methods from ad-hoc development and aligns teams on documentation and design practices.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Structured methods decompose problems into layers of detail.
• They define module interfaces precisely.
• They employ visual models (DFDs, structure charts, ERDs) to communicate design.

Concept / Approach:
Options (a), (b), and (c) all describe hallmarks of structured methodologies. Therefore, there is no option among (a)–(c) that is “not a characteristic.” The correct choice is that none of them are non-characteristics, i.e., “None of the above.” Note that option (d) is a meta-statement asserting that all are characteristics; while true as a statement, the question asks which item is not a characteristic, and there is no such item listed in (a)–(c). Hence, “None of the above” best fits the question’s form.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Evaluate (a): hierarchical partitioning is central to structured approaches.Evaluate (b): interface specification is essential for modularity and low coupling.Evaluate (c): graphical models are standard deliverables in structured analysis/design.Conclude that none of (a)–(c) violates structured principles.

Verification / Alternative check:
Methodologies grounded in structured analysis/design universally teach decomposition, interface definition, and diagramming—corroborating that (a)–(c) are characteristics.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
All of the above are characteristics: true, but it is not an “item that is not a characteristic.”Any single option (a–c): each is indeed a characteristic.

Common Pitfalls:
Misreading “not” questions and accidentally selecting a true characteristic; overlooking that “None of the above” indicates no counterexample exists among (a)–(c).

Final Answer:
None of the above