Phase 2 Systems Analysis
Transition to Systems Design Chapter 6
Objective
Evaluate software alternatives and development strategies. Explain advantages and disadvantages of developing in-house software versus purchasing and customizing software. Describe how companies use outsourcing and user applications. List the steps in purchasing and evaluating a software package Explain the differences between a request for proposal (RFP) and a request for quotation (RFQ).
Objective
Describe the system requirements document and the presentation to management at the end of the systems analysis phase. Explain the transition from systems analysis to systems design, and the difference between logical and physical design. Explain the importance of prototyping and describe various prototyping methods, tools, and techniques. Discuss the system design process. Create and use appropriate codes during systems design and development.
SOFTWARE ALTERNATIVES
DEVELOP
IN-HOUSE PURCHASE SOFTWARE PACKAGES
IN HOUSE
Software developed by technical staff in a companys information systems department
SOFTWARE PACKAGE
Software
written by another company and available for purchase commercial application software available for sale by software publishers or software vendors
HORIZONTAL SOFTWARE
Software
package that can be used by many different types of organizations Accounting Invoicing Accounts payable
VERTICAL SOFTWARE
Software
developed to handle requirements of IS for specific type of organization
colleges banks insurance companies doctor offices
Developing Your Own Software
Satisfy
unique requirements Minimize changes to business procedures and policies meet constraints of existing system meet constraints of existing technology utilize new technology
Buying a Software Package
Less
expensive Less time to implement Fewer errors Already in use in other companies Requires fewer technical staff for development Upgraded by vendor
????????
Customize Software Packages
Off
the shelf package vendors standard package Customized package a software package that YOU or the VENDOR modify to meet your unique specifications
Customizing Software Packages
Vendor
makes modifications $$$$$ and time YOU make modifications time , money and technical expertise Add on supplemental components
Application Service Providers
ASP Delivers applications, or access to applications, by charging a usage or subscription fee Application hosting
Outsourcing
Use of outside company to handle a portion of companys IT work load Either temporary or long-term Advantages?? Disadvantages??
consulting firms consultants contract programmers
User Applications
Typically use standard business software (Office 2000), to allow user to perform tasks
User Applications
Development
of entire/portion of IS by end users for a company limited to end user department not integral to central IS spreadsheets, database reports often 4th generation tools
User Applications
WHY
NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR IS TO DO EVERYTHING
Selecting Software Steps
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
Evaluate IS requirements Identify potential software vendors Evaluate software package alternatives Make the purchase Install the software package
Evaluate IS Requirements
Identify
key features of IS Identify IS current volume and future growth Specify IS external constraints hardware and software REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL -- RFP
Identify Potential Vendor
PC,
midrange, mainframe, network???? Horizontal vs Vertical Computer store (PC only) Hardware manufacturers Industry trade magazines Relative cost for pc vs mainframe
EVALUATE SOFTWARE PACKAGE ALTERNATIVES
Compare identified possible software package solutions vendor presentations Existing users benchmarks literature evaluations in trade journals evaluations from market research try it yourself
EVALUATE SOFTWARE ALTERNATIVES
BENCHMARK
TEST measure time it takes to process set number of transactions compare different software results
MAKE THE PURCHASE
WHAT
DO YOU ACTUALLY PURCHASE?? SOFTWARE LICENSE right to use the software under certain terms and conditions single computer restriction very common
MAKE THE PURCHASE
network??
-- site license leasing agreements MAINTENCE AGREEMENT give you the right to contact vendor for assistance
INSTALL SOFTWARE
IMPLEMENTATION
Load software Test software Train end users Convert data to system files
HARDWARE ALTERNATIVES
Request
for Quotation Request for Bid
TURNKEY SYSTEM
Complete
IS that includes all hardware, systems and application software, documentation, training, installation, and support from outside vendor Usually used in smaller companies
COMPLETION OF SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
Systems
Requirement Document Formal Presentation
SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT
Management Summary IS Background Functional Requirements Environmental Requirements Alternatives Recommended Alternatives Time and Cost Estimates Appendices
SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT
Could
be lengthy!!!
Presentations after Systems Analysis Phase
One
of the most critical milestones in entire SDLC
POSSIBLE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
Develop
in-house Modify current system Purchase software package Purchase and develop in house Perform additional systems analysis Stop all further work
CHANGE CONTROL
Process
of managing and controlling the requested changes in requirements for an information system
CHANGE CONTROL
Freeze
the requirements maximize chance for successful delivery of IS that satisfies requirements within projected costs and schedules Change is inevitable
Transition to Systems Design
Analysis
Phase logical or essential
model
Logical design of IS defines the functions and features of system and relationships among its components Includes the output that must be produced, the input needed, processes that must be performed
without regard to how tasks will be accomplished physically
Transition to Systems Design
Design Phase physical model Physical design of IS is a plan for the actual implementation of the system Built on logical design
Describes the actual processes of entering, verifying and storing data, physical layout of data files, sorting procedures, exact format of reports
PROTOTYPING
Early,
rapidly developed working version of IS that exhibits the essential features of the target IS working model
Approaches to Prototyping
System prototyping full-featured, working model of IS, ready for implementation
RAD
Design prototyping (throwaway)
Used to verify user requirements, after which the prototype is discarded Gives us a user approved design
PROTOTYPING TOOLS
Procedural
vs. non-procedural
tools
Prototyping Tools
Data Dictionary RDBMS report generator query language screen generator application generator 4 GL
Prototyping during Systems Analysis
given
to end users to evaluate how well it satisfies their needs working model -- changes made often takes time to develop and evaluate lower costs in later phases of SDLC
CASE TOOLS
SOFTWARE
PRODUCT THAT AUTOMATES A SPECIFIC SYSTEMS LIFE CYCLE TASK Screen generator Computerized data dictionary
Advantages and Disadvantages CASE tools
of
ALTERNATIVE GRAPHICAL TOOLS
System
flowchart
SYSTEMS DESIGN
Look carefully at system requirements from systems analysis phase to complete system design
Components
of IS are interdependent First must thoroughly understand entire logical design before beginning physical design
First step of System Design
Review
system requirements document from Systems Analysis phase analyst assigned to design may not have participated in analysis time has passed since analysis phase
SYSTEM DESIGN ACTIVITIES
Need
to consider IS components of data, data stores, people, procedures, hardware, software, and information
interrelationships
DESIGN TIPS FOR SYSTEM DESIGN
End
user considerations Data considerations Processing considerations
Designing and using Codes
Code a set of letters or numbers that represent a data item Can be used to simplify output, input and data formats Consider early in design phase Efficiency
Types of Codes
Sequence Block sequence Alphabetic
Category Abbreviation
Significant digit
Types of Codes
Derivation Cipher Action Self-checking
