1. System Design
Chapter 8
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2. Key definitions
Purpose of design phase is to translate from the “what” of the analysis phase to the “how” of new system
logical DFDs and ERDs converted into physical DFDs, ERDs and structure charts
structured English turned into pseudocode and CASE repositories expanded
PowerPoint Presentation for Dennis & Haley Wixom, Systems Analysis and Design
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3. Design strategies Custom development (i.e., from scratch)
Purchase and customise
Outsource development
PowerPoint Presentation for Dennis & Haley Wixom, Systems Analysis and Design
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4. Classic mistakes Reducing design time Feature creep
Silver bullet syndrome
Switching tools in mid-project
PowerPoint Presentation for Dennis & Haley Wixom, Systems Analysis and Design
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5. Design Strategies
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6. 1. Custom development Pros Cons Allows flexibility and creativity
Builds technical
skills and functional
knowledge in-house
Requires significant time
and effort
May exacerbate existing
backlogs
May require missing skills
Often costs more
Often takes longer
Higher risk of project failure
PowerPoint Presentation for Dennis & Haley Wixom, Systems Analysis and Design
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7. 2. Packaged software Include small single-function tools
All-encompassing systems for enterprise resource planning (ERP)
Rarely a perfect fit with business needs
May allow for customisation:
Manipulation of system parameters
Changing way features work
Synchronising with other interfaces
PowerPoint Presentation for Dennis & Haley Wixom, Systems Analysis and Design
Copyright 2000 © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. 3. Outsourcing
Hiring an external vendor, developer, or service provider
May reduce costs or add value
Risks:
losing confidential information
losing control over future development
losing learning opportunities
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9. Outsourcing contracts
Time and arrangements
Fixed-price
Value-added
PowerPoint Presentation for Dennis & Haley Wixom, Systems Analysis and Design
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10. Outsourcing guidelines
Keep lines of communication open
Define and stabilise requirements before signing the contract
View relationship as a partnership
Select vendor, developer, or provider carefully
Assign someone to manage the relationship
Don’t outsource what you don’t understand
Emphasise flexible requirements
PowerPoint Presentation for Dennis & Haley Wixom, Systems Analysis and Design
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11. Selecting a design strategy
Consider each of the following:
business need
in-house experience
project skills
project management
time frame
systems integration
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12. Systems integration
Building systems by combining packages, legacy systems, and custom pieces
Integrating data is the key
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13. Developing The Actual Design
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14. Making an alternative matrix
What tools and technologies are needed for a custom-development project?
Which vendors make products that address project needs?
Which service providers would be able to build this application, if outsourced?
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15. Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
Solicits proposals from vendor, developer, or service providers
Explains system requirements
Defines selection criteria
Request for Information (RFI) -- a shorter version
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16. RFP contents Description of desired system
Special technical needs or circumstances
Desired schedule
Other information that will help the submitter to make a more complete or accurate proposal
Instructions on how to respond
Evaluation criteria
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17. Your turn
If your university were investing in an on-line registration system, would you recommend,
building it in-house,
buying a package, or
outsourcing the project?
Why -- what is the basis for your recommendation?
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18. Summary Design phase develops system blueprint
project team considers and selects from:
custom application development,
buying a package and customising it, and
outsourcing.
An alternative matrix can be used to help evaluate the options
Further information can be elicited using a Request for Proposals from likely vendors
PowerPoint Presentation for Dennis & Haley Wixom, Systems Analysis and Design
Copyright 2000 © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.