1. Database Analysis and the DreamHome Case Study
Chapter 11
Database Analysis and the
DreamHome Case Study
Pearson Education © 2009

2. Chapter 11 - Objectives
When fact-finding techniques are used in the database application lifecycle.
The types of facts collected in each stage of the database application lifecycle.
The types of documentation produced in each stage of the database application lifecycle.
Pearson Education © 2009

3. Chapter 11 - Objectives
The most commonly used fact-finding techniques.
How to use each fact-finding technique and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
About a property rental company called DreamHome.
Pearson Education © 2009

4. Chapter 11 - Objectives
How to apply fact-finding techniques to the early stages of the database application lifecycle.
Pearson Education © 2009

5. Fact-finding techniques
It is critical to capture the necessary facts to build the required database application.
These facts are captured using fact-finding techniques.
The formal process of using techniques such as interviews and questionnaires to collect facts about systems, requirements, and preferences.
Pearson Education © 2009

6. When Are Fact-Finding Techniques Used?
Fact-finding used throughout the database application lifecycle.
Crucial to the early stages including database planning, system definition, and requirements collection and analysis stages.
Also used during database design and the later stages of the lifecycle (lesser extent)
Enables developer to learn about the terminology, problems, opportunities, constraints, requirements, and priorities of the organization and the users of the system.
Pearson Education © 2009

7. Examples of data captured and documentation produced during the database application lifecycle
Pearson Education © 2009

8. Fact-Finding Techniques
A database developer normally uses several fact-finding techniques during a single database project including:
examining documentation
interviewing
observing the organization in operation
research
questionnaires
Pearson Education © 2009

9. Fact-Finding Techniques: Examining documentation
Can be useful
to gain some insight as to how the need for a database arose.
to identify the part of the organization associated with the problem.
To understand the current system.
Documents, forms, reports, files
Pearson Education © 2009

10. Examples of types of documentation that should be examined
Pearson Education © 2009

11. Fact-Finding Techniques: Interviewing
Most commonly used, and normally most useful, fact-finding technique.
Enables collection of information from individuals face-to-face.
Objectives include finding out facts, verifying facts, clarifying facts, generating enthusiasm, getting the end-user involved, identifying requirements, and gathering ideas and opinions.
Require good communication skills for dealing with people
Pearson Education © 2009

12. Advantages and disadvantages of interviewing
Pearson Education © 2009

13. Interviewing There are two types of interviews: Unstructured
General objective in mind and with few specific questions
Rely on the interviewee to provide framework and direction to the interview
Structured
Interviewer has a specific set of questions to ask.
Additional questions for clarification or expansion
Pearson Education © 2009

14. Interviewing
Open-ended questions allow the interviewee to respond in any way that seems appropriate.
“why are you dissatisfied with the report on client registration?”
Closed-ended questions restrict answers to either specific choices or short, direct responses.
“are you receiving the report on client registration on time?” Yes or No
Pearson Education © 2009

15. Fact-Finding Techniques: Observing the Organization in Operation
An effective technique for understanding a system.
Possible to either participate in, or watch, a person perform activities to learn about the system.
Useful when validity of data collected is in question or when the complexity of certain aspects of the system prevents a clear explanation by the end-users.
Successful observation requires preparation
Pearson Education © 2009

16. Advantages and disadvantages of using observation
Pearson Education © 2009

17. Fact-Finding Techniques: Research
Useful to research the application and problem.
Use computer trade journals, reference books, and the Internet (including user groups and bulletin boards).
Provide information on how others have solved similar problems, plus whether or not software packages exist to solve or even partially solve the problem.
Pearson Education © 2009

18. Advantages and disadvantages of using research
Pearson Education © 2009

19. Fact-Finding Techniques: Questionnaires
Conduct surveys through questionnaires, which are special-purpose documents that allow facts to be gathered from a large number of people while maintaining some control over their responses.
There are two types of questions:
free-format
fixed-format
Pearson Education © 2009

20. Fact-Finding Techniques: Questionnaires
Free-format
Offer the respondent freedom in providing answer
“Are there any problems with these reports?”
Difficult to tabulate respondent’s answers
Fixed-format :-
Require specific responses (Yes or No, strongly agree, disagree, no opinion, etc)
Easier to tabulate result
Pearson Education © 2009

21. Advantages and disadvantages of using questionnaires
Pearson Education © 2009

22. Using Fact-Finding Techniques – A Worked Example
Pearson Education © 2009

23. Using Fact-Finding Techniques – A Worked Example
Pearson Education © 2009

24. Using Fact-Finding Techniques – A Worked Example
Pearson Education © 2009

25. Using Fact-Finding Techniques – A Worked Example
Pearson Education © 2009

26. Using Fact-Finding Techniques – A Worked Example
Pearson Education © 2009

27. Using Fact-Finding Techniques – A Worked Example
Pearson Education © 2009

28. Using Fact-Finding Techniques – A Worked Example
Pearson Education © 2009

29. Mission Statement for DreamHome Database System
Derived by conducting interviews with the top management of the organization.
Eg. of interview questions:-
1.What is the purpose of your organization?
2.Why do you feel that you need a database?
3.How do you know that a database will solve your problem?
Database Planning
Pearson Education © 2009

30. Mission Objectives for DreamHome Database System
What is your job description?
What kinds of tasks do you perform in a typical day?
What kinds of data do you work with?
What types of reports do you use?
What types of things do you need to keep track of?
What service does your company provide to your customers?
Database Planning
Pearson Education © 2009

31. Mission Objectives for DreamHome Database System
Database Planning
Pearson Education © 2009

32. System Boundary for DreamHome Database System
System definition
Pearson Education © 2009

33. Major User Views for DreamHome Database System
System definition
Pearson Education © 2009

34. Gathering information on the user views
What type of data do you need to hold on staff?
What sort s of things do you do with the data on staff?
Requirements Collection & Analysis
Pearson Education © 2009

35. Gathering information on the system requirements
What transactions run frequently on the database?
What transactions are critical to the operation of the organization?
When do the critical transactions run?
When are the low, normal and high workload periods for the critical transactions?
What type of security do you want for the database system?
Is there any highly sensitive data that should be accessed only by certain members of staff?
Requirements Collection & Analysis
Pearson Education © 2009

36. Gathering information on the system requirements
What historical data do you want to hold?
What are the networking and shared access requirements for the database system?
What type of protection from failures or data loss do you want for the database system?
Requirements Collection & Analysis
Pearson Education © 2009

37. Cross-reference of user views with main types of data used by each
Requirements Collection & Analysis
Pearson Education © 2009

38. Requirements Collection & Analysis
System specification
Types of features that should be described:
Initial database size
Database rate of growth
Types and average number of record searches
Networking and shared access requirements
Performance
Security
Back up and recovery
Legal issues
Requirements Collection & Analysis
Pearson Education © 2009