What is the primary focus of the testing phase in an IT project?

The primary focus of the testing phase in an IT project is to identify and fix defects. This phase is critical because it ensures that the developed software meets the specified requirements and functions as intended. Testing involves a variety of methodologies, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing, all aimed at uncovering any issues or bugs that could affect the software's performance and user experience.

During this phase, testers rigorously evaluate the software to find potential failures, and once identified, these defects must be addressed and resolved before the software can be deployed. Effective testing helps ensure that the final product is of high quality and satisfies user needs, which ultimately contributes to the success of the project in delivering a reliable solution.

In contrast, the other options represent activities that are important but are not the main focus during the actual testing phase. Developing new functionalities would typically occur during the earlier stages of the project, while gathering user feedback happens usually after testing, often in a separate user acceptance phase. Finalizing project documentation is also an essential part of the project lifecycle, but it generally takes place towards the end, following successful testing and defect resolution, rather than being central to the testing itself.