Quick Review

QUICK REVIEW ON STEPS IN SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

1. INITIATION STAGE

- FIND A PROJECT / UNDERSTAND THE CASE STUDY

- Propose a feasibility study indicating :

• Time to produce the systems

• Who will produce it

• A deadline (expected completion date)

• Budget

• Etc….etc….

      Feasibility study

      To decide whether the proposed system is feasible usually in terms of economics to

      give estimates of development cost, development timescale, running costs.

      Method: Observation, Interviews, Professional judgment

      Deliverables:

      • Feasibility study report to the sponsor

      • Project plan

      • Cost and benefits

      • The go ahead-or otherwise

2. ANALYSIS STAGE

Requirements Analysis

• Gathers information about what the users want in the new systems.

• Get also information on the current systems

Systems Analysis

• Find out what is done and why it is done, records all events/activities

• Generate models (diagrams) showing who does what, when ??(physical model)

• Refines your model on requirements, add more details

• Generate new model showing just what is done(logical model)

• Check your analysis with the users

Deliverables :

• Requirement report,

• revised plan,

• revised costs and benefits

3. DESIGN STAGE

Systems Specifications

• States what the new system will do (context diagram)

• Generate logical diagrams for new systems (level 1 , 2 diagram DFD)

• Defines processes at all levels (lower levels DFD)

• Defines all data required (data base design/tables)

Systems Design e.g:

• How the new system will fulfill specifications

• Which part will be done by computer / which will be done manually?

• What size/type of computer?

• Use of networking and comms ?, web base / stand alone ?

• Design interfaces (GUI)

• Data base design (include from your database class --- optional if you don’t develop the real prototype)

Programs/process Specifications

• Describe processes using structured English, pseudo codes/decision table

Deliverables:

• Systems / software specifications

• Programs specifications

• Database definitions

• Training manuals / help

• Hardware specifications if necessary

4. IMPLEMENTATION STAGE

Implementation and unit testing

Systems development

• Final definition of data structures

• Creation of database tables

• Coding of all programs and modules

Unit testing (0ptional)

• Conduct unit testing

Systems Testing (optional)

• Integrates all units / modules and conduct systems testing

5. OPERATION AND MAINTANAINANCE STAGE

• Fixing problems, do improvements, keeping systems up to date, and continuous

upgrading of the systems.