Which of the following is NOT a typical step in the disposal process?

The disposal process in systems engineering typically comprises several key steps that focus on safely and responsibly managing the decommissioning and disposal of systems or their components. When reviewing the options, performing maintenance does not fit within these typical steps.

Maintenance involves activities such as inspection, repair, and servicing of systems to ensure they continue to function effectively throughout their operational lifecycle. It is aimed at preserving the system and extending its usability, rather than preparing it for disposal. In contrast, the other choices represent steps directly related to managing the end-of-life phase of a system. Planning for disposal involves strategizing how to dispose of the asset, finalizing disposal typically refers to executing the agreed-upon disposal methods, and performing disposal means the actual act of carrying out the process of disposing of the system or its components.

Thus, because maintenance focuses on keeping systems operational rather than preparing for their disposal, it is not recognized as a typical step in the disposal process.