What does impact analysis evaluate?

Impact analysis is a systematic method used to evaluate potential consequences of a change in a system. This process is crucial in software testing and development, as it helps identify how modifications might affect areas that are not directly changed. By assessing the ripple effects of a change, impact analysis enables teams to anticipate issues, avoid unintended consequences, and ensure that the overall integrity of the system remains intact.

In applying this to software, it allows for better planning, prioritization of testing efforts, and ultimately leads to more robust and reliable releases. Understanding how changes impact uncharged areas ensures that all possible ramifications are considered before implementing modifications, which promotes thoroughness in change management.

The other options, while important aspects of software quality and performance evaluation, do not encapsulate the primary purpose of impact analysis. For instance, measuring the speed of the system pertains to performance testing, user satisfaction is linked to usability testing and user feedback mechanisms, and assessing functionality focuses on whether the system behaves as expected. Impact analysis specifically targets the evaluation of change effects rather than these broader testing dimensions.