For which of the seven steps to solve a programming problem is the scientific method most useful?

the planning stage

Explanation:

The scientific method would be most useful during the planning stage of solving a programming problem. This is because during this stage you are thinking of what the problem is and what are the possible solutions that may work. The scientific method is made to help scientists do just that, understand what the problem is, design a possible solution from a hypothesis and design a way to implement or test that solution. Which is the most important piece of solving a programming problem (designing a solution)