Systems Development Lifecycle Analysis Learning Objectives Analysis Describe

Systems Development Lifecycle Analysis

Learning Objectives (Analysis) Describe different methods of researching a situation. State the need for: n n n Establishing the inputs, outputs and processing in both the existing system and the proposed system. Recording information about the current system. Identifying problems with the current system. Identifying suitable hardware and software for developing a new system. Identifying the user and information requirements necessary to resolve the identified problems. Specifying the required hardware and software.

System Development Lifecycle

System Lifecycle is an Iterative Process Each stage is reliant on the following stages as well as the previous ones. n When one of the stages is completed the following stages may mean that the previous ones may need to be considered again.

Analysis Phase

Systems Analyst A specialist who understands computers and computerised solutions to problems.

Analysis Questions How is the job done at present? What are the problems with the current system? Can a new computer system solve these problems?

Methods Of Information Collection 1. Interviews (face to face questions to users about the system) Advantage: Interviewee can talk at length. Disadvantage: Time consuming and so cannot interview many people. 2. Questionnaires (recording of responses to questions to users about the system) Advantage: Find out the views of a large number of people very quickly. Disadvantage: Pre-determined questions and so people may find it difficult to put their point of view across.

Methods Of Information Collection 3. Observe the current system in action (watching people in their work practices) Advantage: Get to see the system in reality for yourself rather than the opinions of the people who have worked there for a long time. Disadvantage: If workers know that they are being observed it is unlikely that they will behave in their normal manner. 4. Group meetings (meet with a large group of users to discuss the current system) Advantage: A number of people can discuss points and make their views known. Disadvantage: Not all the members of the group can give their opinions.

Methods Of Information Collection 5. Collect printed documentation (looking at/through current paperwork) Advantage: Easy to see how data flows around the system. Disadvantage: Difficult to understand all the paper work in isolation from the practical system.

Records of the Current System The information collected will now need to be collated and recorded. Without these it would be very difficult to know what to replace the system with.