Systems Analysis Requirements Modeling

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SDLC Phases Phase 2: Systems Analysis Objectives  Develop a logical model of the proposed system  Learn about requirements modeling, data and process modeling, and object modeling  Consider the transition from logical to physical design

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Chapter 3 Requirements Modeling

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Objectives  Explain systems analysis phase activities and the end product of the systems analysis phase  Describe joint application development (JAD)  Describe the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and explain use case diagrams and sequence diagrams

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Objectives  Explain how functional decomposition diagrams (FDD) are used during systems development  List and describe system requirements, including outputs, inputs, processes, performance, and controls  Explain the importance of scalability in system design

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Objectives  Define total cost ownership (TCO) and explain the concept  Describe how to conduct a successful interview

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Objectives  Explain when and how to use fact-finding techniques, including interviews, documentation review, observation, questionnaires, sampling, and research  Develop effective documentation methods to use during systems development

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition  Overview of systems analysis phase  Fact-finding techniques  Interviewing  Documentation review  Observation  Surveys and Questionnaires  Sampling  Research  Methods used to record results Introduction

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Systems Analysis Phase Overview  Systems analysis phase tasks  Requirements Modeling  Data and Process Modeling  Object Modeling  Transition to Systems Design  Two steps in the requirement modeling phase  Requirements determination (fact-finding)  Requirements analysis Click to see Figure 3-1

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Systems Development Methods  Joint Application Development (JAD)  JAD team approach  JAD Participants and Roles  JAD project leader  Top management  Managers  Users  IT staff members  Recorder Click to see Figure 3-2 Click to see Figure 3-3

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Systems Development Methods  Joint Application Development (JAD)  JAD Agenda  Introduce team members and discuss objectives  Explain reason for project  Present outline of issues to be investigated  Open discussion to identify specific issues  Discuss system requirements  Develop models Click to see Figure 3-4

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Systems Development Methods  Joint Application Development (JAD)  JAD Agenda (continued)  Present issues to be addressed  Review results  Decide on main issues  Document all topics  Recap JAD session  Prepare report for all JAD members

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Modeling Tools and Techniques  Unified Modeling Language (UML)  Uses object-oriented design concepts to describe business processes  Various graphical tools include case diagrams and sequence diagrams

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Modeling Tools and Techniques  Unified Modeling Language (UML)  Use Case Diagrams  A use case diagram visually represents the interaction between users and the information system Click to see Figure 3-5 Click to see Figure 3-6 Click to see Figure 3-7

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Modeling Tools and Techniques  Unified Modeling Language (UML)  Sequence Diagrams  Sequence diagrams show the timing of transactions between objects as they occur Click to see Figure 3-8

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Modeling Tools and Techniques  Functional Decomposition Diagrams  A functional decomposition diagram (FDD) is a top-down representation of business functions and processes Click to see Figure 3-9

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Systems Requirements Checklist  Characteristics or features that must be included to satisfy business requirements  Outputs  Inputs  Processes  Performance  Controls

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Scalability and Total Cost of Ownership  Scalability  The ability to adjust system capacity as business requirements change  Total Cost of Ownership  The sum of the direct costs and indirect expenses  Systems developers must identify and document indirect expenses: a system that seems inexpensive initially might turn out to be the most expensive Click to see Figure 3-10

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Fact-Finding  Overview  Software helps you gather and analyze facts; however, it cannot perform fact- finding for you  First step to fact-finding is identifying the information you need  Create a fact-finding plan

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Fact-Finding  Who, What, When, Where, and How?  Who performs the procedures within the system?  What is being done?  Where are operations being performed?  When is a procedure performed?  How is a procedure performed?  Another important question  Why? Click to see Figure 3-11

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Interviews  Determine the people to interview  Establish objectives for the interview  Develop interview questions  Prepare for the interview  Conduct the interview  Document the interview  Evaluate the interview

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Interviews  Determine the people to interview  Select the right people  Consider informal structures Click to see Figure 3-12

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Interviews  Establish objectives for the interview  Determine the areas to be discussed  List the facts you want to gather  Solicit ideas, suggestions, and opinions

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Interviews  Develop interview questions  Keep questions consistent  Open-ended questions encourage spontaneous and unstructured responses  Closed-ended questions restrict the response  Range-of-response questions ask the person to evaluate something

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Interviews  Prepare for the interview  Schedule a specific day and time  Place a reminder call  Send a memo to managers  Send a list of essential questions to an interviewee ahead of time Click to see Figure 3-14 Click to see Figure 3-13

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Interviews  Conduct the interview  Introduce yourself  Describe the project  Explain your objectives  Ask questions in order  Listen carefully - practice engaged listening  Summarize the main points  Explain the next course of action

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Interviews  Document the interview  Keep note-taking to a minimum  Record the information quickly  Allow time between interviews  Thank the interviewee with a memo  Note the date, time, location, and purpose  Review the main points discussed

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Interviews  Evaluate the interview  Identify possible biases  Determine whether interviewees have necessary experience

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Interviews  Unsuccessful interviews  Not all interviews are successful  Find a way to conclude an unsuccessful meeting  Consider alternatives

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Other Fact-Finding Techniques  Document review  Observation  Surveys and questionnaires  Sampling  Research

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Other Fact-Finding Techniques  Document review  Review existing system documentation  Obtain copies of actual forms and documents  Review blank copies of forms  Review samples of completed forms  Review software documentation

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Other Fact-Finding Techniques  Observation  Ask questions about present system operation  Observe all steps in the processing cycle  Examine each form, record, and report  Consider each person working with the system  Talk to people who receive current reports  Consider the Hawthorne Effect Click to see Figure 3-15

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Other Fact-Finding Techniques  Questionnaires and surveys  Brief and user-friendly  Clear instructions  Questions in logical order  Simple wording to avoid misunderstanding  Avoid leading questions  Open-ending questions are difficult to tabulate  Limit questions raising concern/negative issues  Section for general comments  Test the questionnaire in advance Click to see Figure 3-17 Click to see Figure 3-16

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Other Fact-Finding Techniques  Sampling  Collect examples of actual documents  Sampling techniques  Systematic sample  Stratified sample  Random sample  Main objective is to ensure representation of the overall population accurately  Sampling should be considered for interviewing or questionnaires

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Other Fact-Finding Techniques  Research  Journals, periodicals, books  Internet sites  Hardware and software vendors  Independent firms that provide information  Newsgroups  Professional meetings, seminars, discussions  Site visits to observe a system in use Click to see Figure 3-18

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Other Fact-Finding Techniques  Interviews vs. questionnaires  Interview  Need information from only a few people  More familiar and personal  Can be costly and time-consuming  Questionnaire  Many people able to provide input  People may offer more candid responses  If not designed well, may be viewed as intrusive

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Documentation  The need for recording the facts  Keeping accurate records is essential  Basic rule: write it down  Guidelines for good documentation  Record information as soon as possible  Use the simplest recording method  Ensure that your work is understandable  Organize your documentation material  Consider a narrative list with simple statements

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Recording the Facts  Software tools  CASE tools  Word processing  Spreadsheets  Database  Presentation graphics  Personal information managers Click to see Figure 3-20 Click to see Figure 3-19

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition Preview of Data, Process, and Object Modeling  Next step is to understand and model the logical design of the system  Structured analysis  Object modeling

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  SWL has completed a preliminary investigation  Several problems were revealed  Input errors  Overtime to correct errors and produce reports  The IT team recommended further analysis  Mr. Jeremy approved the recommendation  The systems analysis phase now is underway

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  Human resources department interview  Review of organization charts Click to see Figure 3-22 Click to see Figure 3-21

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  Human resources department interview  Review of organization charts  Interview with Meredith Rider  Explanatory memo to Mike Feiner  Confirmation memo to Meredith  Preparation Click to see Figure 3-24 Click to see Figure 3-23

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  Human resources department interview  Review of organization charts  Interview with Meredith Rider  Explanatory memo to Mike Feiner  Confirmation memo to Meredith  Preparation  Forms Click to see Figure 3-29 Click to see Figure 3-28 Click to see Figure 3-27Click to see Figure 3-25 Click to see Figure 3-26

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  Human resources department interview  Review of organization charts  Interview with Meredith Rider  Explanatory memo to Mike Feiner  Confirmation memo to Meredith  Preparation  Forms  Follow-up memo to Meredith after interview Click to see Figure 3-31 Click to see Figure 3-30

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  Payroll department interview  Interview with Nelson White, lead payroll clerk  Review of SWL’s Systems and Procedures Manual Click to see Figure 3-32

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  Payroll department interview  Interview with Nelson White, lead payroll clerk  Review of SWL’s Systems and Procedures Manual  Review of sample payroll deduction registers Click to see Figure 3-33

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  Business information services (BIS) interview  Interview with Linda DeMarco, customer relations manager for BIS  New program called CHIPS  Determination that CHIPS will not handle SWL’s needs

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  New developments  Upcoming changes at BIS present problems  No obvious solution to stock purchase deduction processing  Limited results expected unless the payroll project scope is expanded  Announcement that SWL will move forward with new Employee Savings and Investment Plan (ESIP)  ESIP target date of April 1, 2002

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  The revised project  Objective: to determine requirements for the complete payroll system  Carla Moore to work with Rick Williams  Conduct additional and follow-up interviews  Prepare functional decomposition diagram Click to see Figure 3-34

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  The revised project  Objective: to determine requirements for the complete payroll system  Carla Moore to work with Rick Williams  Conduct additional and follow-up interviews  Prepare functional decomposition diagram  Review of payroll report samples  Payroll Register Click to see Figure 3-35

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  The revised project  Objective: to determine requirements for the complete payroll system  Carla Moore to work with Rick Williams  Conduct additional and follow-up interviews  Prepare functional decomposition diagram  Review of payroll report samples  Payroll Register  Employee Compensation Record Click to see Figure 3-36

Systems Analysis and Design Fourth Edition SOFTWEAR, LIMITED  The revised project  Objective: to determine requirements for the complete payroll system  Carla Moore to work with Rick Williams  Conduct additional and follow-up interviews  Prepare functional decomposition diagram  Review of payroll report samples  Payroll Register  Employee Compensation Record  SWL employee paycheck and stub Click to see Figure 3-37

End Chapter 3