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