University of Zimbabwe

School of Technology
Software Project
Title:
Name:
Surname:
Registration Number:
Year:

Contents
1.

Preliminary Investigation ............................................................................................ 3

Brief History of the Organization ................................................................................... 3
Problem Definition.......................................................................................................... 3
Systems Objectives ......................................................................................................... 3
Project Scope .................................................................................................................. 3
Feasibility Study ............................................................................................................. 4
Technical feasibility .................................................................................................... 4
Social feasibility.......................................................................................................... 4

2.

Systems Analysis ........................................................................................................ 4

Information gathering techniques ................................................................................... 4
Analysis of current System ............................................................................................. 4
DFD Modelling ............................................................................................................... 5
Weaknesses and strengths of the current System ........................................................... 5
Functional Requirements of the proposed system .......................................................... 6

3. Systems Design ............................................................................................................... 6

Input Design .................................................................................................................... 6
Output Design ................................................................................................................. 6
Process Design ................................................................................................................ 6
4. Implementation / Coding ................................................................................................ 7
Pseudo codes ................................................................................................................... 7
Program segments ........................................................................................................... 7
5. Systems Testing .............................................................................................................. 7
Test Plan.......................................................................................................................... 7
Test Results ..................................................................................................................... 7
System security ............................................................................................................... 7
Validation procedures ..................................................................................................... 7
Appendix ............................................................................................................................. 7
User Manual .................................................................................................................... 7
Source documents ........................................................................................................... 8
Information Gathering Findings ..................................................................................... 8
Test Dump Screens ......................................................................................................... 8

1. Preliminary Investigation

This is based on the following:

When creating your project take note to use third person singular
(no I, or myself or we)
Get an understanding of what the project fully entails
Have case studies that cover the work you want to produce or
make use of work that is similar to your work.

Brief History of the Organization

The organization or the idea of the program. This will act as a
guideline of what you must cover in the project. Any other details
must be included as part of the entire organization or the research
under study.

An existing organization in this section get to find out the

exact details of your organization. The systems they have
and a brief history of what their systems are about.
A non-existing organization in this section you must get
as much data as is possible. Its a much harder step but you
must get all your research work in order. This looks at the
name of the system to be created, the functionality, its use,
why you would want to implement it as a program to be
usable.

Problem Definition
For any project you must have a problem to be solved or to be dealt
with. What is the problem or problems that you want to deal with.

Systems Objectives
Objectives are simple what do you want to achieve or what is your
main idea for the system that you hope to create.

Project Scope
The boundaries of the project that you are currently hoping to
create or be a part of your study

Feasibility Study
This is when you ask the question: Will this project make sense to
start working on it? What are the areas that I should concentrate on
to achieve this?

Technical feasibility
In the aspect of the program that will result in the research process
what are the technical elements that should be considered.
Social feasibility
What are the social aspects that you have or must consider in
terms of your project?

2. Systems Analysis
System Analysis - the process of studying a procedure or business
in order to identify its goals and purposes and create systems and
procedures that will achieve them in an efficient way

Information gathering techniques

The ways in which information can be collected - research,
meetings, interviews, requests for opinions, surveys, polls etc.
These are some of the means and ways that you can get
information. You will then have to have a standard template that
you can use or copy directly from apart from this template.

Analysis of current System

The analysis of the current system involves undertaking detailed
investigation of the current reality in terms of its components.
Analysts need to undertake a detailed study to understand the
current system, collect information about the current reality using all
the dimensions of Information, Technology, Processes, Stakeholder
objectives, values and motivations, Management and structures
and Other issues (such as staffing and skills). This has to be
documented (modelled) using appropriate techniques and agreed
on by users.

DFD Modelling

Weaknesses and strengths of the current System

System
Data Capture
Security
Storage
Process time

Strength
Very easy to capture
data
Lock and Key
Handwritten and Typed
notes
Takes two days

Weakness
Prone to syntax error
Can be breached
Outdated
Too long to process

Convenience

Built on four walls

Only works during

business hours

Functional Requirements of the proposed system

The rich picture mainly provides a view of context. Any processes
listed are described only in very simple and general terms. It may
therefore be useful to have a more detailed record of the formal or
informal processes involved in the operation of a particular
organizational system. One technique that can be used for this is a
process model a process model is a diagram indicating a sequence
of processes. In the diagram, processes are typically represented
as numbered circles or ellipses, with the flow of activity from one
process to the next indicated by arrowed lines.

3. Systems Design
Input Design
The data that is captured and input to any current information
system, and the processes by which it is captured and input.

Output Design
The information that is being output by the system, and the
processes by which it is output. Since output forms the most critical
part of the system, this part can be examined in more detail by
asking:
WHO is getting WHAT information?
WHEN and WHERE do they get it?
HOW do they use it and WHY?
There is also likely to be an examination of the quality and value of
the information being output (e.g. via CARTA: completeness,
accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and appropriateness of
presentation).

Process Design
The data that is being processed by the system, and the processes
by which it is processed. After the processing the data that is being
stored by the system, and the processes by which it is stored and
retrieved.

4. Implementation / Coding
Pseudo codes
Program segments

5. Systems Testing
Test Plan
Test Results
System security
Validation procedures

Appendix
User Manual

Source documents
Information Gathering Findings

Test Dump Screens