CHAPTER 4:

REQUIREMENTS
MODELING

KP24303 SYSTEM ANALYSIS

AND DESIGN

SYSTEM ANALYSIS PHASE

TASKS
Requirements
Modeling

Data
and
Process
Modelin
g

Object
Modelin
g

Developme
nt
Strategies

SYSTEM ANALYSIS PHASE

TASKS
REQUIREMENTS MODELING
Fact-finding to describe the current system.
Identification of the requirements of the new system.
Outputs: electronic or printed information produced by
the system
Inputs: necessary data that enters the system (manually
or automated)
Processes: logical rules that are applied to transform the
data into meaningful information
Performance: speed, volume, capacity, availability,
reliability
Security: hardware, software, and procedural controls
that safeguard and protect the system and its data from
internal/external threats.

SYSTEM ANALYSIS PHASE

TASKS
DATA AND PROCESS MODELING
How to represent graphically system data
and processes.

OBJECT MODELING
Object-oriented analysis combines data and
the processes that act on the data into
things called objects.

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Prepare for the transition to the system
design phase

TEAM-BASED
TECHNIQUES

JOINT APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Popular fact-finding technique that brings users into

the development process as active participants

RAPID APPLICATION DVELOPMENT

Uses group approach like JAD. While the end product
of JAD is requirements model, the end product of
RAD is new information system

AGILE METHODS
Develop a system incrementally, by building a
series of prototypes and constantly adjusting them
to user requirements

TEAM-BASED
TECHNIQUES
TECHNIQU ADVANTAGES / DISADVANTAGES
E
JAD
(compared
with
traditional
method)

More accurate statement of system requirements, better

understanding of common goals, stronger commitment to
the success of the new system.
JAD is more expensive, and can be cumbersome if the
group is too large relative to the size of the project.

RAD
(compared
with
traditional
method)

System can be developed more quickly with significant

cost savings.
Does not emphasize the companys strategic business
needs.
The accelerated time cycle might allow less time to
develop quality, consistency, and design standards.

Agile

Very flexible and efficient in dealing with change.

Frequent deliverables constantly validate the project and
reduce risk.
Overall project may be subject to significant change in
scope as user requirements continue to evolve during the

MODELING TOOLS AND

TECHNIQUES
Modeling involves graphical methods
and nontechnical language that
represent the system.
Data flow diagram
Unified modeling language
USE CASE DIAGRAMS
SEQUENCE DIAGRAMS

DATA FLOW DIAGRAM

To show how the system stores,
processes and transforms data.

UNIFIED MODELING LANGUAGE

(UML)
Uses object-oriented design concepts
but it is independent of any specific
programming languages.
To describe business processes and
requirements generally.

USE CASE DIAGRAMS

Visually
represents
the
interaction
between users and the information
system.
In the diagram, the user become an actor,
with specific role that describes how he or
she interacts with system.

SEQUENCE DIAGRAM
Shows the timing of interactions between
objects as they occur.
To show all possible outcomes or focus on
a single scenario.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
CHECKLIST
System requirement: characteristics
or feature that must be included in
an information system to satisfy
business
requirements
and
be
acceptable to users.
Five categories: inputs, outputs,
processes,
performance,
and
controls.

EXAMPLES (ACTIVITY)
Start your sentence with In a ____
Information system, the inputs are
Inputs:
Outputs:
Processes:
Performance:
Controls

FACT-FINDING (ACTIVITY)
Includes interviews, document
review, observation, surveys and
questionnaires, sampling and
research.
Involves answer to six familiar
questions: who, what, where, when,
how and why?

INTERVIEWS
A planned meeting during which you obtain
information from another person.
Seven steps for interview:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Determine the people to interview

Establish objectives for the interview
Develop interview questions
Prepare for the interview
Conduct the interview
Document the interview
Evaluate the interview

1. Determine the people to

interview

Select the right people

Ask the right questions
Group interviews can save time and
provide opportunity to observe
interaction among the participants.
But group interview can present
problems when one person might
dominate the conversation.

2. Establish objective for the

interview
Determine the general areas to be
discussed
List the facts you want to gather.
Solicit ideas, suggestions, and
opinions.
The interviews will start with general
and move to specific topics.
Interview objectives will varies at
different stages of investigation.

3. Develop interview
questions
Different kinds of questions:
Open-ended questions:
Encourage spontaneous and unstructured
responses
To understand a larger process or draw out the
interviewees opinions, attitude, or suggestions.

Closed-ended questions:
Limit or restrict the response
To get specific information and to verify facts.

Range-of-response questions:
Closed-ended questions that ask the person to
evaluate something by providing limited answers
to specific responses.
Using numeric scale, eg: On a scale of 1 to 10.

4. Prepare for the interview

Schedule the interview
Day, time and duration (should limit
to not more than 1 hour)
Send out email or reminder call the
day before interview.
Send list of topics to the interviewee
earlier.
Inform the department manager
before interviewing his staff

5. Conduct the interview

Introduce yourself, describe the project

Explain interview objectives
Ask questions according the list prepared.
Establish good rapport with the interview.
Listen carefully to the answers.
Allow the person enough time to think. Be patient.
Summarize the main points covered in the session and
explain the next course of action (eg: will send memo to
the interviewee)
Thank the interviewee and encourage them to contact you.
Seek confirmation from other person (so the interviewee
can respond and correct you if necessary)

6. Document the interview

Record the information immediately
after the interview.
Use small, portable recorders. (Must
explain to the interviewee- sensitive
issues)

7. Evaluate the interview

Try to identify any possible biases.
Eg: interviewee might give
incomplete answer to protect their
own area or function.
Eg: interviewee with strong opinion
might distort the facts.

DOCUMENT REVIEW
Help to understand how the current
system is supposed.
Obtain copies of actual forms and
operating documents currently in
use.
Review blank copies of forms, as well
as samples of actual completed
forms.
Review
the
documentation
for
software package.

OBSERVATION
Observe
current
operating
procedures.
To verify statements from the
interview,
determine
whether
procedures really operate as they
are described.
Useful
for
making
recommendations, for testing,
and for future changes.

QUESTIONAIRES AND
SURVEYS
To obtain input
from a large number

of people.
A questionnaire usually starts with
heading, followed by instruction and
end with a conclusion that thanks the
participants and reminds them how
to return the form.
Can be traditional paper form or
collect data on the internet.

SAMPLING
Collect examples of actual documents.
Records, reports, operational logs, data
entry documents, complaint summaries,
work requests, and forms.
Systematic sample selects every tenth
customer for review.
Stratified sample, select five customer
from each of four postal codes. To
balance geographically.
Random sample selects any 20 customer.

RESEARCH
Internet, IT magazines, books to
obtain
background
information,
technical material, and news about
industry.
Web sites that provide links to
hardware and software vendor.
Site visit to observe the system in
use at another location.

DEEP RIVER COLLEGE

Deep River College is a two-year school in Southern
California. Twice a year, the fund-raising office at Deep
River mails requests for donations to the alumni. The
staff uses a word processing program and a personal
information database to create personalized letters.
Data on past contributions and other alumni
information, however is stored manually. The dean,
Alexendra Ali recently submitted a system request
asking the colleges IT department to develop a
computerized alumni information system. The school
does not have a formal system review committee, and
each department has an individual budget for
information services.

DEEP RIVER COLLEGE

(cont)
Eddie Bateman, a system analysts, performed a
preliminary investigation and he concluded that the
system met all the feasibility tests. After reading his
report, Alexandra asked him to proceed with the
system analysis phase. Eddie has scheduled an
interview with her, and he has asked you to help him
prepare for the meeting.
Specifically, he wants you to list all the topics he
should cover during the interview. Eddie also wants
you to prepare a list of specific questions that he
should ask. Be sure to include open-ended, closedended, and range-of-response questions.

THE END