1. 1 1. Systems and Software Development 1.1 The Systems Life Cycle

2. 1.1.2 Analysis: Data Collection

3. 3 The analysis phase What is the problem? A study of the present system.

4. 4 Data collection Collection of data can be by: ‣ interviewing current users and experts in the field, ‣ questionnaires, ‣ observation of current system and ‣ research of literature and documentation.

5. 5 Data collection Questions to users should be: ‣ precise, ‣ relevant, ‣ closed (demanding definite answers) and ‣ inoffensive.

6. 6 Technical data to collect What are current input methods? ‣ Manual (mouse, keyboard, touch screen...)? ‣ Direct (barcode reader, OMR, OCR, MICR...)? ‣ Automatic (sensors, timers...)?

7. 7 Technical data to collect What are current output media? ‣ Soft copy e.g. screen (temporary)? ‣ Hard copy e.g. printer, plotter (more permanent)? ‣ Motion e.g. actuator, relay switch?

8. 8 Technical data to collect What file formats are being used? ‣ One file or many? ‣ What type of access (single user, multiuser? ‣ What file format (.dat,.txt,.csv, etc.)?

9. 9 Technical data to collect What interface is being used? ‣ Command line? ‣ Menu-driven? ‣ Graphical User Interface (GUI)?