Chapter 4 - Summary

This chapter deals with Requirements modelling – one of the activities in the systems
analysis phase

Requirements modelling
It involves fact finding process aimed at describing the current system and
identification of the requirements for the new system.
Requirements are referred to as system requirements
.
System requirements serve as a benchmark to measure the overall acceptability of the
system.

The following categories of system requirements need be noted

Input - data that enters the system
Output - information produced by the system.
Process - the logical rules applied to transform data into meaningful information.
Performance - system characteristics namely: speed, volume, capacity, availability, and
reliability
Security - hardware/software and controls that safeguard and protect the system and its
data from threats both external and internal.

There are a number of team oriented strategies that may be used during the system
analysis phase, in order to identify requirements.
They include joint application development (JAD), Rapid application development
(RAD), and Agile methods

You need to have a clear understanding of each method and be able to

1. Identify similarity and differences between the different methods
2. The different participants in each method & their role(s)
3. The advantage and disadvantages for each method

Joint application development (JAD)

JAD brings users into the development process as active participants. Other participants
include managers and IT professionals. The team work together to gather information,
discuss business needs and define the new system requirements.
The JAD team usually meets over a period of days in a location or conference room
where they are insulated from distraction from day to day operations
The end product of a JAD session is a requirements model
JAD participants and Roles

 JAD leader. Acts as a facilitator.

 Recorder/Scribe. One or two participants acts as the recorder/scribe who
document and record the results and decisions
 Managers. Provide departmental –level support for the project and understanding
how the project must support business functions and requirements
 System analysts and other IT members. Provide technical support and resources
for the JAD team on issues such as security, back up, hardware, software and
network capability

Advantages of using JAD:

 By being part of the process, users are more likely to feel a sense of ownership of
the results and hence are more likely to give their full support to the system
 The exercise is likely to result into a more accurate identification of requirements
and a better understanding of common goals.

Disadvantages of JAD:
Can be more expensive and cumbersome if the group is too large relative to the project
size

Rapid application development (RAD)

It’s a team based technique that speeds up information systems development and
produces a functioning information system.
 The RAD approach cut development time and expense by involving users in
every phase of the system development.
 RAD is a complete methodology with four phase life cycle that parallels the
traditional SDLC phases
 RAD heavily uses prototyping.
 Prototyping allows users to examine a working model as early as possible.
Hence allowing users to suggest changes at an early stage.
 While the end product of JAD is a requirements model, RAD goes much further.
The RAD end product is a new information system.

Take note of the four phases of a RAD model & how it relate to SDLC
The four RAD phases are: Requirements planning; user design; construction; and Cut
over.
 Requirements planning. It combines elements of system planning and system
analysis phase of the SDLC. During this phase, the following are determined:
business need, project scope, constraints, and system requirements. After this
phase, the team gives a go or no go ahead.
 User design. Develop models and prototype to represent all system processes,
outputs and inputs. This process is continuous and interactive.
  Construction. This phase focuses on programs and application development tasks
similar to SDLC. Unlike in SDLC, users are active participants in this phase and
may still suggest changes.
 Cutover. It resembles the final tasks in SDLC implementation phase. Activities in
this phase include: data conversion, testing, changeover to new system, and user
training.

Advantage of RAD
The system can be developed more quickly with significant cost saving
Disadvantage of RAD
 Stresses mechanics of system and does not emphasize company strategic business
needs hence the final system may work well in the short term but may not be good
enough to meet long terms objectives.
 The accelerated time cycle might allow less time to develop quantity, consistency,
and design standards.

Agile method
Agile method approach attempts to build a system incrementally, by building a series of
prototypes and constantly adjusting them to user requirements. The agile approach
emphasizes continuous feedback. Each incremental step is affected by what was learned
in the previous steps.

Agile method Advantage

 very flexible and efficient in dealing with change.
 With frequent deliverables, it constantly validates the project and reduce risks.

Agile method Disadvantage

 Team members need a high level of technical and interpersonal skills.
 Lack of structure and documentation can introduce risk factors.
 The overall project may be vulnerable to scope change since the user
requirements continue to evolve throughout the project

What are the modelling tools and techniques used during the requirements phase?

Systems analyst use various tools and techniques to model system requirements.
Modelling involves graphical methods and nontechnical language that represent the
system at various stages of development.
Systems analysts use modelling and fact finding interactively. First they build fact-
finding results into models, then they study the models to determine whether additional
fact finding is required in order to fully understand system requirements,
Modelling Tools

Systems analyst use various tools and techniques to model system requirements.
Modelling involves graphical methods and nontechnical language that represent the
system at various stages of development.

The following are the modelling tools that you need to know

1. Functional decomposition diagram (FDD)

2. Business process modelling (BPM)
3. Data flow diagrams (DFD)

The following concepts are important to know

Scalability
Scalability refers to the ability of the system to handle future growth and demands. The
growth should be seen in terms of increased business volumes and transactions.
A scalable system offers a better return on the initial investment because it’s likely to
have a longer life span.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Total cost of ownership refers to all costs involved in development of a system. It
includes both Direct and Indirect costs.
These various cost must be identified and documented.
Determination of TCO is important especially if the development team is assessing
different alternatives

You need to know the following fact finding techniques used during requirements
modelling

1. Interviews
.
An interview consist of seven steps
1. Determine people to interview
2. Establish objective for the interview
3. Develop interview questionnaire
4. Prepare for interview
5. Conduct interview
6. Document the interview
7. Evaluate the interview

Document review
Review of existing operating documents (blank copies as well as completed ones) help
one to understand how current system is supposed to work.
Observation
Seeing the system in action gives you additional perspective and better understanding of
system procedures. Observations allow you to verify statements made in interviews and
determine whether procedures really operate as they are described.

Questionnaires and Surveys

A questionnaire, also called a survey is a document containing a number of standard

questions that can be sent to many individuals. Questionnaires can be used to obtain
information about a wide range of topics

Questionnaire are valuable in projects where input is needed from a large number of
people

Sampling
Sampling involves a collection of examples of actual documents.
There are various sampling techniques namely: systematic sampling, stratified sampling,
and random sampling
N.B be able to identify and differentiate these different sampling methods
Research

Research is another important fact finding technique. Research can include the internet,
IT magazines and books, technical materials, and news about industry trends and
development.