MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND ADVISORY CENTER 2023

PROGRAM: DCIS YEAR 2 SEM 1

COURSE CODE: DCIS2101

COURSE UNIT: FUNDEMENTALS OF SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

INSTRUCTIONS: ATTEMPT THREE QUESTIONS

TIME: 2 HOURS

SECTION A(COMPULSARY)

MARKING GUIDE

1a) Define is Systems Analysis and Design? (02 Marks)

 The complex organizational process whereby computer-based information systems are developed and
maintained.

b) Explain the following as used in system analysis and design (@02 Marks)
(i)System
 A collection of parts that work together to achieve a goal/task e.g. information system OR
 A set of objects and relationships among the objects viewed as a whole and designed to achieve a purpose OR
 A collection of components that work together to realize some objective forms a system.
(ii)Subsystem
 small, manageable, and understandable part of a big system OR
 system within a system
(iii)Modularity
 Dividing a system up into chunks or modules of a relatively uniform size
(iv)Cohesion
 The extent to which a system or subsystem performs a single function.
(v)Coupling
 The extent to which subsystems depend on each other.
(vi)System Analyst
 The system analyst is the person (or persons) who guides the development of an IS in line with the goals of the
organization.
  Primary role of a systems analyst is to study the problems and needs of an organization in order to determine
how people, methods, and information technology can best be combined to bring about improvements in the
organization

c)Differentiate between a computer-based information system and a manual system (02 Marks)
 Computer based information systems is one that depends on the use of computer hardware and software to
process & disseminate information while
 Manual system is use paper + pencil technology
d)State four advantages of waterfall system development model (04 Marks)
 Ideal for supporting less experienced project teams and project managers, or project teams whose
composition fluctuates.
 The orderly sequence of development steps and strict controls for ensuring the adequacy of documentation
and design reviews helps ensure the quality, reliability, and maintainability of the developed software.
 Progress of system development is measurable.
 Conserves resources

SECTION B (ANSWER ANY TWO)

2a) Distinguish between a decision table and a data flow diagram (04 Marks)
A decision table is a brief visual representation specifying which actions to perform depending on a given condition.
While
• A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical tool that allows system analysts (and system users) to depict the
flow of data in an information system. A Data Flow Diagram is intended to serve as a communication tool
among systems analysts, end users, data base designers, system programmers and other members of the
project team
Describe four symbols used in a DFD (08marks)

Process - performs some action on data, such as creates, modifies, stores, delete, etc. Can be manual or supported
by computer.

Data store - information that is kept and accessed. May be in paper file folder or a database.
External entity - is the origin or destination of data. Entities are external to the system.

Data flow - the flow of data into or out of a process, data store or entity
b) Describe the process for drawing a decision table (08marks)

The decision table is physically divided in to four quadrants by double lines. The upper two quadrants i.e. the
Condition Stub and the Condition Entry describe conditions which are to be tested. The lower two quadrants describe
the actions to be taken depending the outcomes of these tests
The following are the general steps to create a decision table
 Step1; Analyze the requirements and create the first column
Here we Identify all possible conditions
 Step2: Add the columns
We Identify the corresponding actions that may occur in the system
 Step3: Reduce the table
Generate all possible combinations of conditions
 Step4: Determine actions
Identify actions based on combination of conditions
 Step5: Write Test cases

3a) Define the term Prototyping (02Marks)

 An iterative process of systems development in which requirements are converted to a working system that
is continually revised through close work between an analyst and users.
b) Explain the disadvantages of prototyping (08marks)
 Prototyping encourages a return to the ``code, implement, and repair'' life cycle that used
to dominate information systems.
 Prototyping does not negate the need for the survey and study phases.
 You cannot completely substitute any prototype for a paper specification.
 There are numerous design issues not addressed by prototyping.
 Prototyping often leads to premature commitment to a design.
 When prototyping, the scope and complexity of the system can quickly expand beyond
original plans.
 Prototyping can reduce creativity in designs.
  Prototypes often suffer from slower performance than their third-generation language
counterparts

c)Describe five steps involved in acquiring a new system (10marks)

4a) Explain five characteristics of a system (10Marks)

1. Organization
• structure and order
• Example: Hierarchical organization in a company.
• Computer system: organization of various components like input devices, output devices, CPU and
storage devices
2. Interaction
• Between sub systems or the components
• Example: the main memory holds the data that has to be operated by the ALU.
3. Interdependence
• Component linkage
• Component dependence
4. Integration
• How subsystems are tied together to achieve the system objective
5. Central Objective
• Should be known in early phases of analysis

b) Explain any five basic elements of a system (10Marks)

 Boundary
 The line that marks the inside and outside of a system and that sets off the system from its environment.
 Purpose
 The overall goal or function of a system
 Environment
 Everything external to a system that interacts with the system.
 Interface
 Point of contact where a system meets its environment or where subsystems meet each other. ¨
 Constraint
 A limit to what a system can accomplish.

5a) Explain any three types of systems(10Marks)

1.Physical or Abstract System
◦ Physical system: tangible entities
◦ static or dynamic in nature.
◦ Example : system-computer centre
 Desks and chairs are the static parts
 Programs, data, and applications can change according to the user's needs.
Abstract systems are conceptual. These are not physical entities. They may be formulas, representation or model of a
real system
2.Open Closed System- Majority of systems are open systems
◦ open system has many interfaces with its environment
◦ can also adapt to changing environmental conditions
◦ can receive inputs from, and delivers output to the outside of system

Closed systems: Systems that don't interact with their environment. Closed systems exist in concept only.
3.Man made Information System
◦ Information system is the basis for interaction between the user and the analyst.
◦ Main purpose-manage data for a particular organization.
◦ Further Categorized as:
 Formal Information Systems:
 Responsible for flow of information from top management to lower management
 But feedback can be given from lower authorities to top management.
 Informal Information Systems:
  Informal systems are employee based.
 These are made to solve the day to day work related problems.
 Computer-Based Information Systems:
 This class of systems depends on the use of computer for managing business
applications

b) Explain what causes system failure(10marks)

 Complexity
o Shifting requirements
o Bad estimation
o Bad management
o New technology
 Must tackle complexity by, for example:
o Structure partitioning of problem
o Organized interaction of parts
o Ensure you achieve the task
o Better design methodology
 Systems are subject to the need for continuing change

6a) Define the system development life cycle (02marks)

 It is a common methodology for systems often follows for system development in many organization, featuring
several phases that mark the progress of the systems analysis and design effort.

b) Explain the six phases of the system development life cycle (18marks)

 SDLC phases:
 1-Project identification and selection
 Identifying Potential development projects
 Classifying and ranking projects
 Selecting projects for development
 2-Project initiation and planning
 Detailed step – work plan - high level system requirement –assignment of team members

 3-Analysis
 Description of current system
 Where problem and opportunities are with a general recommendation on how to fix, enhance or
replace current system
steps
 Develop analysis strategy
 Gather requirements
 Develop a system proposal
 4-Design
 Its primary objective is to convert the description of the recommended alternative solution into system
specification.
 High-level design consists of developing an architectural structure for software programs,
databases, the user interface, and the operating environment.
 Low-level design entails developing the detailed algorithms and data structures that are required for
program development.
Seven major activities must be done during design:
 Design and integrate the network.
 Design the application architecture.
 Design the user interfaces.
 Design the system interfaces.
 Design and integrate the databases.
 Prototype for design details.
 Design and integrate the system controls
It involves the following
 Logical design:
 The part of the design phase of the SDLC in which all functional feature of the
system chosen for development in analysis are described independently of any
computer platform.
 Physical design:
The part of the design phase of the SDLC in which the logical specification of the system from logical design
are transformed into technology specific details from which all programming and system construction can be
accomplished.
 5-Test and Implementation
 The fifth phase of the SDLC in which the information system is
 Coded,
 Tested (Types of testing),
 Installed, and
 Supported in the organization.
  Outputs:
 Code, documentation, training procedures and support capabilities

 6-Maintenance
 The final phase of the SDLC in which the information system is systematically repaired and improved
 Output are:
 New versions of releases of software with associated updates to documentation, training,
and support

END