Information and Communication Technology - 0417 CIE

Analysis

Overview

Before a single line of a new system is built, someone has to find out exactly how the present way of working really works, where it goes wrong, and what the people who use it actually need. That detective work is the analysis stage, the first stop in the systems life cycle. Get it right and everything that follows has a firm foundation; get it wrong and the finished system will solve the wrong problem.

In this lesson you will learn the four ways an analyst researches a current system, when each one is the right tool, and the advantages and drawbacks of each. You will then see how the analyst records what they find, separates the inputs, outputs and processing, pins down the user and information requirements, and finally justifies the hardware and software the new system will need.

Objectives

Analysis of the current system.
Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of the research methods of observation, interviews, questionnaires and examination of existing documents.
Record and analyse information about the current.
The need to identify the inputs, outputs and.
system.
processing of the current system, problems with the current system, the user and information requirements for the new system.
System specification.
Identify and justify suitable hardware and software for the new system.

Lesson Note

A new computer system is only as good as the understanding it is built on. Developers rarely know the fine detail of how a business runs, and managers rarely know what computers can do for them. Analysis is the stage that bridges that gap. By the time it ends, the analyst should be able to describe precisely what the current system does, what is wrong with it, and what the new system must achieve. Every later stage, design, development, implementation and evaluation, measures itself against the requirements written here.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Analysis. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Which research method is most likely to be affected by the Hawthorne effect? A. Interviews B. Questionnaires C. Observation D. Examining existing documents Answer: C
An analyst wants honest, anonymous views from a large number of staff quickly and cheaply. The best method is: A. Observation B. Interviews C. Questionnaires D. Examining existing documents Answer: C
User requirements are best described as: A. A list of the hardware needed B. A plain-language statement of what the customer needs the system to do C. The program code for the new system D. The test data for the new system Answer: B
Which of these is an advantage of off-the-shelf software over bespoke software? A. It always fits the business exactly B. It is cheaper and available immediately C. It needs no user-base for support D. It requires more training Answer: B
When a customer keys flight details into a booking system, this is an example of a system: A. Output B. Process C. Input D. Storage device Answer: C