| 1. |
Problem
Definition.
Without a detailed definition of the problem they are trying to
solve, people are often unsure of what it is they are trying to
achieve.
-aims and objectives
of new system must be stated.
What does the company hope a new system is going to do?
eg cost reductions, better service to customers; greater volume
of business transactions etc
|
| 2. |
Feasibility
Study
A preliminary investigation is essential to determine whether
a project is technically and economically feasible. Some
projects may not be suitable for computer solution.
Is technology currently available?
Is it socially
feasible - will there be a need for redundancies, retraining?
Will it be cost effective? Development costs and running costs
need to be balanced against benefits such as reduced costs,
better customer service etc
A written report may be presented to
management for a decision on whether to proceed.
|
| 3. |
Requirements
Analysis
Study of present system, collection of
information etc.
Methods of investigation may include:
questionnaires
to staff and management;
interviewing
of staff and management;
observation
of procedures (invoicing, accounting etc)
studying of documents
and what happens to them;
The requirements
specification
of the new system must be clearly stated...The success of the
new system will be judged by whether it meets all these
requirements.
The requirements specification will be
a document ,agreed between management and the systems analyst,
containing details about :
- hardware
- software
- user interface (HCI)
- what the new system has to be able
to do
Systems may be defined using data
flow diagrams
|
| 4. |
Design
Detailed design of input,
output, files, database,
test plan.
Data capture forms
must be designed, clerical procedures laid down and all aspects
of the design must be documented.
|
| 5. |
Development
Program specifications are given to programmers who code
the programs, test
and debug them.
|
| 6. |
Implementation
Installing and
testing the overall system. Staff
training. Changing over to the new system is
often done by parallel-running
the new system with the old one until fully operational.
|
| 7. |
Maintenance
All systems need to be maintained - making sure the system
continues to function correctly, modifications made, errors
corrected, documentation kept up-to-date.
|
