1. BTEC NCF Dip in Comp - Unit 02 Fundamentals of Computer Systems Lesson 04 – Requirements Analysis
Mr C Johnston

2. End Starter What is a requirements specification?
What are the key questions you need to find out from users so that you can complete a requirements specification?
5 minutes
End

3. Learning Outcome
Know key considerations to be taken into account when developing a requirements specification
Analyse the requirements of a computer system for given scenarios

4. Key Findings to Establish
Tasks that need to be performed by the user
Tasks that need to be performed by the computer system
Inputs required and method of input e.g. scanners, sensors, keypads
Outputs required and method of output e.g. onscreen messages, printouts, motors, lights
User needs, e.g. accessibility requirements, size/weight limitations for system
Customisation required, e.g. users, profiles, file and folder security

5. Key Considerations Cost User requirements
Cheap as chips vs reliability
Backup support
User requirements
Operating system
Application software
Networking
Support
Outputs required and in what format
Integration with other systems
Processing power
Storage capacity
Accessibility for disabled users
IT competence of the intended users
Training requirements
Often there will be some form of compromise when recommending the system which suits the organisation the best

6. User Requirements Example
User Tasks
Edit video
Edit Sounds
Edit graphics
Compile DVD
Send/receive
Maintain financial records
Produce DVD covers
System Tasks
Encode DVD
Auto check
File handling tasks
Input
Video – digital camera
Sounds – internet / midi / microphone
Graphics – internet / scanner / graphics tablet, digital camera
Output
DVD Covers – Printer high quality colour
DVD Disc – DVD/R Drive – multiple copies
Processing
Edit video, sound, graphics, encode DVD, Burn DVD, financial calculations
Storage
Video, sound, graphics, finished DVDs, covers, accounts, s,
User needs
Doesn’t need to be portable
Retired – old!!! Not sure on his IT ability!!
Internet connection
Customisation
Business logo as wall paper?
Screen saver,
Folder structure to organise work?
“Humphrey is a retired art teacher who is thinking of setting up a business filming peoples weddings, and producing a souvenir DVDs from the footage taken. He will edit the video clips, add titles and music to make a professional product. The DVDs will also need high quality cover which he proposes to make. Artwork, sound effects and music for the DVDs could come from a variety of sources including the internet. Bookings could also be made by and his accounts will need taking care off so he can track income and outgoings.” He has asked you for help deciding on a computer.
What are his user requirements?
Import video from his camera
Edit wedding video footage, add titles and music,
Compile the edited video into DVD format adding titles and effects,
Edit sound effects and music for the DVDs which will be added, to the DVDs,
Put completed DVD files onto DVD and burn multiple copies,
Manipulate graphics for DVD titles and covers,
Import graphics from photos and hand drawn artwork,
Produce DVD covers and output them in high quality colour print,
Connect to the internet so s can be viewed and resources downloaded,
Keep track of his business finances.

7. Inputs and Outputs Example
It is important for each requirement that you fully identify the input, storage, processing and output requirements
“Humphrey needs a computer to edit his own video and burn them to DVD”
DATA INPUTTED
Raw video – from camera using USB / Firewire
Instructions of how to edit the videos – keyboard / mouse
Text for the credits and titles - keyboard
STORAGE
Raw video
Video project
Final video
PROCESSING
Edit video
Encode final video to DVD format
Burn final video to DVD
DATA OUTPUTTED
Finished edited video in file format
Finished edited video on DVD – via DVD burner

8. Activity Analyse the paragraph below and list the user requirements
Develop a table to summarise the main findings
Remember to clearly think about the input, storage, processing and output requirements
“John Waine is student who has just started his A-Levels. His parents have decided to purchase him a computer to assist with his studies but are unsure what exactly to buy or how to configure it. John has decided to study ICT, Art/Design and German A-Levels at college and is a dedicated fan and player of online game RuneScape and also talks to friends via . At weekends John is an active member of the local Conservative Party and spends his time campaigning about local issues by handing out flyers in town, which he has designed. His other hobbies include photography, making his own music, playing computer games and making home movies – his favourite band is girls allowed. John uses the Office 2010 suite at college.”

9. Activity Down load the Wee Promote Scenario
Analyse the scenario and list the user requirements
Develop a table to summarise the main findings clearly thinking about the input, storage, processing and output requirements

10. Moving Forward
This flowchart indicates the entire process of specifying a computer system for a client…

11. Hardware / Software Requirements1
As a starting point… Think about which requirement demands the most system resources and list the requirements
“Edit wedding video footage, add titles and music”
Hardware / Software Requirements based on user requirements:
A fast processor to handle the demands of editing video,
A large hard disk drive to store video files which are notoriously large,
A substantial amount of RAM that will support the demands of the video editing,
A separate graphics card which is capable of reproducing quality HD graphics at a good rendering speed,
A sound card so the system can reproduce the sound (integrated will be fine),
An over standard size monitor so he can easily and clearly see to edit the video,
Speakers so that sound can be heard
An operating system which is capable of supporting all the hardware and allowing the required tasks to be performed
Software which allows videos to be edited in a variety of different methods to produce professional finished results including the adding of titles and special effects,
Sound editing software so sound effects and music can be edited before being adding to the video,
Multimedia Keyboard so text for titles within the video can be added,
Optical mouse to control the computer and run commands

12. Hardware / Software Requirements2
Take each further requirement in turn and compare the need to what is on the list so far. Amend / add to the list so the requirement is satisfied “Create his own music”
Hardware / Software Requirements based on user requirements:
A fast processor to handle the demands of editing video
A large hard disk drive to store video files which are notoriously large,
A substantial amount of RAM that will support the demands of the video editing,
A separate graphics card which is capable of reproducing quality HD graphics at a good rendering speed,
A sound card so the system can reproduce the sound (integrated will be fine),
A separate surround sound card which reproduces true audio with good frequency range
An over standard size monitor so he can easily and clearly see to edit the video,
Speakers so that sound can be heard
Good quality surround sound speakers
An operating system which is capable of supporting all the hardware and allowing the required tasks to be performed
Software which allows videos to be edited in a variety of different methods to produce professional finished results including the adding of titles and special effects,
Sound editing software so sound effects and music can be edited before being adding to the video,
Multimedia Keyboard so text for titles within the video can be added,
Optical mouse to control the computer and run commands

13. Software
Within our analysis we need to suggest a type of software application that is required to meet the user requirement
At this stage it is just the types of software needed - The actual software applications will be specified later
Generic categories which software can be placed into include
Graphic manipulation, web browser, video editing, sound editing, Spreadsheet, operating system, antivirus, database, word processor, DTP, language translation
What software categories can you think of?

14. Activity
Based upon John Waines user requirements produce a list of his generic hardware and software requirements
“John Waine is student who has just started his A-Levels. His parents have decided to purchase him a computer to assist with his studies but are unsure what exactly to buy or how to configure it. John has decided to study ICT, Art/Design and German A-Levels at college and is a dedicated fan and player of online game RuneScape and also talks to friends via . At weekends John is an active member of the local Conservative Party and spends his time campaigning about local issues by handing out flyers in town, which he has designed. His other hobbies include photography, making his own music, playing computer games and making home movies – his favourite band is girls allowed. John uses the Office 2010 suite at college.”