Systems Analysis and Design

With the overarching goal of preparing the analysts of tomorrow, Systems Analysis and Design offers students a rigorous hands-on introduction to the field with a project-based approach that mirrors the real-world workflow. Core concepts are presented through running cases and examples, bolstered by in-depth explanations and special features that highlight critical points while emphasizing the process of "doing" alongside "learning." As students apply their own work to real-world cases, they develop the essential skills and knowledge base a professional analyst needs while developing an instinct for approach, tools, and methods.

Accessible, engaging, and geared toward active learning, this book conveys both essential knowledge and the experience of developing and analyzing systems; with this strong foundation in SAD concepts and applications, students are equipped with a robust and relevant skill set that maps directly to real-world systems analysis projects.

Preface v

Part 1 Planning Phase

1 The Systems Analyst and Information Systems Development, 3

Introduction, 4

The Systems Analyst, 5

Systems Analyst Skills, 5

Systems Analyst Roles, 6

The Systems Development Life Cycle, 7

Planning, 10

Analysis, 10

Design, 11

Implementation, 11

Project Identification and Initiation, 12

System Request, 14

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 15

Feasibility Analysis, 18

Technical Feasibility, 19

Economic Feasibility, 20

Organizational Feasibility, 26

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 29

Chapter Review, 31

Appendix 1A: Detailed Economic Feasibility Analysis for DrōnTeq, 35

2 Project Selection and Management, 37

Introduction, 38

Project Selection, 39

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 40

Creating the Project Plan, 41

Project Methodology Options, 42

Selecting the Appropriate Development Methodology, 49

Estimating the Project Time Frame, 51

Developing the Work Plan, 52

Staffing the Project, 56

Staffing Plan, 56

Coordinating Project Activities, 59

Managing and Controlling the Project, 62

Refining Estimates, 62

Managing Scope, 64

Timeboxing, 64

Managing Risk, 65

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 66

Staffing the Project, 68

Coordinating Project Activities, 70

Chapter Review, 70

Appendix 2A: The Function Point Approach, 74

Appendix 2B: Project Management Tools: The Gantt Chart and PERT Chart, 79

Gantt Chart, 79

PERT Chart, 79

Part 2 Analysis Phase

3 Requirements Determination, 85

Introduction, 86

The Analysis Phase, 86

Requirements Determination, 88

What Is a Requirement?, 88

The Process of Determining Requirements, 92

The Requirements Definition Statement, 92

Requirements Elicitation Techniques, 94

Requirements Elicitation in Practice, 94

Interviews, 95

Joint Application Development (JAD), 101

Questionnaires, 105

Document Analysis, 107

Observation, 109

Selecting the Appropriate Techniques, 110

Requirements Analysis Strategies, 111

Problem Analysis, 112

Root Cause Analysis, 112

Duration Analysis, 112

Activity-Based Costing, 114

Informal Benchmarking, 114

Outcome Analysis, 114

Technology Analysis, 115

Activity Elimination, 116

Comparing Analysis Strategies, 116

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 116

Eliciting and Analyzing Requirements, 116

Requirements Definition, 117

System Proposal, 119

Chapter Review, 119

4 Use Case Analysis, 124

Introduction, 124

What Is a Use Case?, 126

The Use Case Concept in a Nutshell, 126

Use Case Formats and Elements, 127

Casual Use Case Format, 128

Use Cases in Sequence, 130

Fully Dressed Use Case Format, 130

Applying Use Cases, 133

Use Case Practical Tips, 133

Use Cases and Functional Requirements, 133

Use Cases and Testing, 134

Creating Use Cases, 134

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 144

Identifying the Major Use Cases, 144

Elaborating on the Use Cases, 145

Chapter Review, 150

5 Process Modeling, 153

Introduction, 153

Data Flow Diagrams, 154

Reading Data Flow Diagrams, 154

Elements of Data Flow Diagrams, 157

Using Data Flow Diagrams to Define Business Processes, 159

Process Descriptions, 164

Creating Data Flow Diagrams, 164

Creating the Context Diagram, 165

Creating Data Flow Diagram Fragments, 166

Creating the Level 0 Data Flow Diagram, 168

Creating Level 1 Data Flow Diagrams (and Below), 169

Validating the Data Flow Diagrams, 172

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 176

Developing the Process Model, 176

Creating Data Flow Diagram Fragments, 176

Creating the Level 1 Data Flow Diagram, 178

Creating Level 2 Data Flow Diagrams (and Below), 180

Validating the Data Flow Diagrams, 181

Chapter Review, 181

6 Data Modeling, 186

Introduction, 187

The Entity Relationship Diagram, 187

Reading an Entity Relationship Diagram, 188

Elements of an Entity Relationship Diagram, 189

The Data Dictionary and Metadata, 194

Creating an Entity Relationship Diagram, 196

Building Entity Relationship Diagrams, 196

Advanced Syntax, 199

Applying the Concepts at Dro¯nTeq, 201

Validating an Entity Relationship Diagram, 205

Design Guidelines, 205

Normalization, 208

Balancing Entity Relationship Diagrams with Data Flow Diagrams, 208

Chapter Review, 210

Appendix 6A: Normalizing the Data Model, 213

Part 3 Design Phase

7 Moving into Design, 221

Introduction, 222

Transition from Requirements to Design, 222

System Acquisition Strategies, 224

Custom Development, 226

Packaged Software, 227

Outsourcing, 228

Influences on the Acquisition Strategy, 231

Business Need, 231

In-House Experience, 232

Project Skills, 233

Project Management, 233

Time Frame, 233

Selecting an Acquisition Strategy, 233

Alternative Matrix, 234

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 236

Chapter Review, 238

8 Architecture Design, 240

Introduction, 241

Elements of an Architecture Design, 241

Architectural Components, 241

Client–Server Architectures, 242

Client–Server Tiers, 243

Server-Based Architecture, 245

Mobile Application Architecture, 246

Advances in Architecture Configurations, 247

Comparing Architecture Options, 248

Creating an Architecture Design, 249

Operational Requirements, 249

Performance Requirements, 250

Security Requirements, 252

Cultural and Political Requirements, 257

Designing the Architecture, 259

Hardware and Software Specification, 261

Applying the Concepts at Dro¯nTeq, 263

Creating an Architecture Design, 263

Hardware and Software Specification, 264

Chapter Review, 265

9 User Interface Design, 268

Introduction, 269

The Usability Concept, 269

Principles for User Interface Design, 270

Layout, 270

Content Awareness, 272

Aesthetics, 273

Usage Level, 273

Consistency, 275

Minimize User Effort, 276

Special Issues of Touch Screen Interface Design, 276

User Interface Design Process, 277

Understand the Users, 278

Organize the Interface, 280

Define Standards, 283

Interface Design Prototyping, 284

Interface Evaluation/Testing, 286

Navigation Design, 290

Basic Principles, 290

Menu Tips, 291

Message Tips, 293

Input Design, 296

Basic Principles, 296

Input Tips, 298

Input Validation, 300

Output Design, 300

Basic Principles, 300

Types of Outputs, 302

Media, 304

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 305

Understand the Users, 305

Organize the Interface, 305

Define Standards, 306

Interface Template Design, 306

Develop Prototypes, 312

Interface Evaluation/Testing, 313

Chapter Review, 313

10 Program Design, 318

Introduction, 319

Moving from Logical to Physical Process Models, 319

The Physical Data Flow Diagram, 319

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 322

Designing Programs, 323

Structure Chart, 326

Syntax, 327

Building the Structure Chart, 330

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 332

Design Guidelines, 336

Program Specification, 342

Syntax, 342

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 345

Chapter Review, 348

11 Data Storage Design, 354

Introduction, 355

Data Storage Formats, 355

Files, 356

Databases, 358

Selecting a Storage Format, 362

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 364

Moving from Logical to Physical Data Models, 365

The Physical Entity Relationship Diagram, 365

Revisiting the CRUD Matrix, 369

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 369

Optimizing Data Storage, 372

Optimizing Storage Efficiency, 372

Optimizing Access Speed, 374

Estimating Storage Size, 379

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 380

Chapter Review, 382

Part 4 Implementation Phase

12 Moving into Implementation, 387

Introduction, 387

Managing the Programming Process, 388

Assigning Programming Tasks, 388

Coordinating Activities, 389

Managing the Schedule, 390

Testing, 390

Test Planning, 392

Unit Tests, 392

Integration Tests, 395

System Tests, 395

Acceptance Tests, 395

Developing Documentation, 397

Types of Documentation, 398

Designing Documentation Structure, 398

Writing Documentation Topics, 400

Identifying Navigation Terms, 401

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 403

Managing Programming, 403

Testing, 403

Developing User Documentation, 404

Chapter Review, 407

13 Transition to the New System, 409

Introduction, 409

Making the Transition to the New System, 410

The Migration Plan, 411

Selecting the Conversion Strategy, 412

Preparing a Business Contingency Plan, 416

Preparing the Technology, 417

Preparing People for the New System, 418

Understanding Resistance to Change, 418

Revising Management Policies, 420

Assessing Costs and Benefits, 420

Motivating Adoption, 423

Enabling Adoption: Training, 424

Postimplementation Activities, 427

System Support, 427

System Maintenance, 428

Project Assessment, 430

Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 432

Implementation Process, 432

Preparing the People, 432

Postimplementation Activities, 432

Chapter Review, 433

Index 436

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.