Introduction to Systems Development Life Cycle

The Information Systems Life Cycle What are the four steps in the information systems life cycle (ISLC)? System development System implementation Syetem Operation System obsolencence

The Systems Development Life Cycle What are the five steps in the systems development life cycle (SDLC)? Systems analysis Conceptual design Physical design Implementation and conversion Operations and maintenance

The Systems Development Life Cycle: Systems Analysis Systems Analysis Do initial investigation Do system survey Do feasibility study Determine information needs and system requirements Deliver systems requirements Conceptual Design

The Systems Development Life Cycle: Conceptual Design Conceptual Design Identify and evaluate design alternatives Develop design specifications Deliver conceptual design requirements Physical Design

The Systems Development Life Cycle: Physical Design Physical Design Design output Design database Design input Develop programs Develop procedures Design controls Deliver developed system Implementation and Conversion

The Systems Development Life Cycle: Implementation and Conversion Implementation and Conversion Develop plan Install hardware and software Train personnel, test the system Complete documentation Convert from old to new system Fine-tune and review Deliver operational system Operation and Maintenance

The Systems Development Life Cycle: Operation and Maintenance Feasibility analysis and decision points: Economic Feasibility Technical Feasibility Legal Feasibility Scheduling Feasibility Operational Feasibility Operation and Maintenance Operate system Modify system Do ongoing maintenance Deliver improved system Systems Analysis

The Players Who are the people involved in developing and implementing IS? Management Information systems steering committee Project development team Systems analysts and programmers External players

The Players What are top management’s roles? providing support and encouragement establishing system goals and objectives determine information requirements

The Players What are the steering committee’s roles? set policies that govern the IS ensures top-management participation guidance and control facilitates coordination and integration of IS activities

The Players What are the project development team’s roles? plan each project monitor project make sure proper consideration is given to the human element

The Players What are the system analyst’s and programmer’s roles? study existing systems design new systems and prepare specifications write computer programs

Planning Systems Development Why is planning an important step in systems development? consistency efficiency cutting edge lower costs adaptability

Planning Systems Development What types of systems development plans are needed? project development plan master plan

Planning Techniques Two techniques for scheduling and monitoring systems development activities are: PERT (program evaluation and review technique) PERT requires that all activities and the precedent and subsequent relationships among them be identified. Gantt chart A bar chart with project activities listed on the left-hand side and units of time across the top

Planning Techniques: Gantt Chart Project Planning Chart (Sample Gantt Chart) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Activity Week Starting 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Gantt Chart

PERT Chart

Microsoft Project Gantt Chart

Microsoft Project PERT Chart

Feasibility Analysis Systems analysis is the first step in the systems development life cycle (SDLC). A feasibility study (also called a business case) is prepared during systems analysis and updated as necessary during the remaining steps in the SDLC. The steering committee uses the study to decide whether to terminate a project, proceed unconditionally, or proceed conditionally.

Feasibility Analysis What five important aspects need to be considered during a feasibility study? Technical feasibility Operational feasibility Legal feasibility Scheduling feasibility Economic feasibility

Feasibility Analysis Economic feasibility is the most frequently analyzed of the five aspects. What is the basic framework for feasibility analysis? capital budgeting model

Feasibility Analysis What are some capital budgeting techniques? payback period net present value (NPV) internal rate of return (IRR)

Candidate Systems Matrix

Candidate Systems Matrix (cont.)

Feasibility Matrix

Typical System Proposal Outline Introduction Purpose of the report Background of the project leading to this report Scope of the report Structure of the report Tools and techniques used Solution generated Feasibility analysis (cost-benefit) Information systems requirements Alternative solutions and feasibility analysis Recommendations Appendices

Behavioral Aspects of Change Individuals involved in systems development are agents of change who are continually confronted by people’s reaction and resistance to change. The best system will fail without the support of the people it serves.

Behavioral Aspects of Change Why do behavioral problems occur? personal characteristics and background manner in which change is introduced experience with prior changes communication disruptive nature of the change process fear

Behavioral Aspects of Change How do people resist IS changes? aggression projection avoidance

Behavioral Aspects of Change How can behavioral problems be overcome? meet needs of the users keep communication lines open maintain a safe and open atmosphere obtain management support allay fears solicit user participation make sure users understand the system

Behavioral Aspects of Change How can behavioral problems be overcome? (continued) provide honest feedback humanize the system describe new challenges and opportunities reexamine performance evaluation test the system’s integrity avoid emotionalism present the system in the proper context control the users’ expectations keep the system simple

Systems Analysis When a new or improved system is needed, a written request for systems development is prepared. The request describes the current system’s problems, why the change is needed, and the proposed system’s goals and objectives. It also describes the anticipated benefits and costs.

Sample Request for System Services

Sample Problem Statements

Systems Analysis There are five steps in the analysis phase: Initial investigation Systems survey Feasibility study Information needs and systems requirements Systems analysis report

Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) CASE is an integrated package of computer-based tools that automate important aspects of the software development process. CASE tools are used to plan, analyze, design, program, and maintain an information system. They are also used to enhance the efforts of managers, users, and programmers in understanding information needs.

Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) CASE tools do not replace skilled designers; instead they provide a host of self-integrated tools that give developers effective support for all SDLC phases. CASE software typically has tools for strategic planning, project and system management, database design, screen and report layout, and automatic code generation.

CASE Tool Architecture

Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) Advantages of CASE Technology Improved productivity Improved program quality Cost savings Improved control procedures Simplified documentation

Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) Disadvantages of CASE Technology Incompatibility Cost Unmet expectations

Systems Design, Implementation, and Operation

Conceptual Systems Design In the conceptual systems design phase, a general framework is developed for implementing user requirements and solving problems identified in the analysis phase. What are the three steps in conceptual design? Evaluate design alternatives. Prepare design specifications. Prepare conceptual systems design report.

Conceptual Systems Design analysis Evaluate design alternatives Prepare design specifications Prepare conceptual systems design report

Conceptual Systems Design Evaluate design alternatives: The design team should identify and evaluate design alternatives using the following criteria: How well it meets organizational and system objectives How well it meets users’ needs Whether it is economically feasible Its advantages and disadvantages

Conceptual Systems Design Prepare design specifications: Once a design alternative has been selected, the team develops the conceptual design specifications for the following elements: Output Data storage Input Processing procedures and operations

Conceptual Systems Design Prepare conceptual systems design report: At the end of the conceptual design a conceptual systems design report is developed and submitted. To guide physical systems design activities To communicate how management and user information needs will be met To help assess systems’ feasibility

Physical Systems Design Physical design translates the broad, user-oriented AIS requirements of conceptual design into detailed specifications that are used to code and test the computer program. Conceptual systems design Physical systems design

Physical Systems Design: Output Design The objective of output design is to determine the characteristics of reports, documents, and screen displays. Output fits into one of four categories: Scheduled reports Special-purpose analysis Triggered exception reports Demand reports

Physical Systems Design: File and Database Design What are some file and database design considerations? medium of storage organization and access processing mode maintenance size and activity level

Physical Systems Design: Input Design When evaluating input design, the design team must identify the different types of data input and optimal input method. What are the two principal types of data input? Forms Computer screens

Physical Systems Design: Program Design Program design is one of the most time-consuming activities in the entire SDLC. Programs should be subdivided into small, well-defined modules to reduce complexity. What is this referred to as? structured programming Modules should interact with a control module rather than with each other.

Physical Systems Design: Procedures Design Procedures design should answer the who, what, where, and how questions related to all AIS activities. What should procedures cover? input preparation transaction processing error detection and corrections controls

Physical Systems Design: Procedures Design What should procedures cover? (continued) reconciliation of balances database access output preparation and distribution computer operator instructions

Physical Systems Design: Control Design What are some control design considerations? Validity Authorization Accuracy Security Numerical Control Availability Maintainability Integrity Audit Control

Physical Systems Design Report At the end of the physical design phase the team prepares a physical systems design report. This report becomes the basis for management’s decision whether to proceed to the implementation phase.

Systems Implementation Systems implementation is the process of installing hardware and software and getting the AIS up and running.

Systems Implementation Implementation planning Develop and test software programs Prepare site; install and test hardware Select and train personnel Complete documentation Test system Conversion

Systems Implementation: Implementation Planning An implementation plan consists of implementation tasks, expected completion dates, cost estimates, and the person or persons responsible for each task. Planning should include adjustments to the company’s organizational structure.

Systems Implementation: Develop and test software programs Seven steps are followed when developing and testing software programs. Determine user needs. Develop a plan. Write program instructions (code). Test the program. Document the program. Train program users. Install and use the system.

Systems Implementation: Site Preparation A PC requires little site preparation. A large system may require extensive changes, such as additional electrical outlets. Site preparation should begin well in advance of the installation date.

Systems Implementation: Select and train personnel Employees can be hired from outside the company or transferred internally. Effective AIS training should include employees’ orientation to new policies and operations. Training should occur before systems testing and conversion.

Systems Implementation: Complete Documentation Three types of documentation must be prepared for new systems. Development documentation Operations documentation User documentation

Systems Implementation: Test the System There are three common forms of testing. Walk-through Processing of test transactions Acceptance tests

Systems Implementation: Conversion There are four conversion approaches. Direct conversion Parallel conversion Phase-in conversion Pilot conversion

Systems Implementation Direct Conversion Method Old system New system

Systems Implementation Parallel Conversion Method Old system New system

Systems Implementation Phase-in Conversion Method Old system New system

Systems Implementation Pilot Conversion Method 1 2 3 1 2 3 Old Old Old Old Old New 1 2 3 1 2 3 Old New New New New New

Systems Implementation: Data Conversion Data files may need to be modified in three ways: Files may be moved to a different storage Data content may be changed File format may be changed

Operation and Maintenance The final step in the SDLC is to operate and maintain the new system. A postimplementation review should be conducted on a newly installed system. Implementation and conversion Operation and maintenance

Operation and Maintenance What are some factors to consider during the postimplementation review? Goals and objectives Satisfaction Benefits Costs Reliability Documentation Timeliness Controls and security Errors Training Communications Organizational changes Accuracy Compatibility