Prescription:SA300 Systems Analysis

Aim of Module To provide students with the ability to work from a user proposal to produce, and present, a Feasibility Report and a Requirements Definition from which a systems designer can work.

Credits 7

Suggested Time 70 student learning hours

Prescription Expiry Date Nov 2002


Level and Assessment Schedule
TopicsHighest
Skill Level
Suggested
Assessment
Percentage
1 New System A 25
2 Analysis of Alternatives P 20
3 Requirements Definition A 25
4 Feasibility Study P 20
5 Presentation A 10

100


The Student Will

1  New System
A1.1Identify the boundaries for the new system from the logical model combined with the user requirements for the new system.
A1.2Carry out data analysis on the new data structures.
A1.3Analyse data access requirements.
NOTEUse of a CASE tool may be appropriate here.
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2  Analysis of Alternatives
P2.1Using a set of case study data, identify at least two alternative approaches.
P2.2Develop the alternatives to sufficient depth to demonstrate the theoretical practicability of each approach.
P2.3Apply cost / benefit techniques including identification of all likely costs, savings and intangible benefits and resolve costs and savings using a methodology such as Discounted Cash Flow or Net Present Value to make comparisons and determine pay back periods.
P2.4Select the favoured alternative.
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3  Requirements Definition
A3.1Complete the structure specification for the designer including the construction of a variety of system description documents such as:
- data flow diagrams
- entity relationship diagrams
- data dictionary
- mini specifications
- structured English
- state transition diagrams
A3.2Write the specification commentary
A3.3Describe timing constraints and priorities
A3.4Describe fall-back procedure requirements
A3.5Describe audit requirements
A3.6Describe access and security requirements
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4  Feasibility Study
PFor a sample system produce a Feasibility Study including:
- system objectives
- costs - one-off and recurring
- benefits - quantifiable and non-quantifiable
- project plan
- cost/benefit analysis (including all supporting details such as DCF/NPV techniques)
- recommendations
Include use of the appropriate information gathering techniques such as:
- interviewing
- observation
- record searching
- sampling
- questionnaires)
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5  Presentation
A5.1Produce a written report covering:
- weaknesses in the present system
- alternatives considered
- factors determining favoured alternative
- recommendations
A5.2Prepare and give a brief presentation of the findings using appropriate media and fielding questions.
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