Systems Life Cycle Lesson




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Design stage







Development and Testing Stage

Next three stages after the design stage : 
1- creating the system 
2- testing the system 
3- improving the system 


Each time system is being changed , due to test result , we have to change other things , in other word , the second and the third stage will be repeated several times , until the system is completed.

The designed data structure can be created by :
1- software language 
2- programming language 

programmer will create the program code to solve the problem . nature of the problem determine the amount of programming required. 

Testing strategies : 

The system analyst , will be having a test plan , which will consist of : 
1- Expected Data : the test plan will consist of list of test data together , with the expected result , to be produced by the system .
2- Actual result : note of the result which the system in fact produced when the data is used.

TWO main ways for testing the system : 
1- test data : 
Test data has three types : 
a- normal data
b-extreme data 
c- abnormal data 
a-     Normal data is the data that is acceptable or valid to the system. Also , this is the data , which shouldn’t produce any error in the system.
b-    Extreme data is the data used , when a range of data is input.
c-     Abnormal data is the data that is not acceptable or valid.
d-     
2- Live data : which is the data that is being used in existing system . This type is used because the outputs are already known.

After all that , before implementing the system , the mistakes must be corrected . but even though , the live data shows other differences , so the process that is used to identify where and when the difference occurred , by using special software which allows the system to be run one step at a time to show the exact point where the difference occurred can be clearly seen in a programming code. This whole process is called Single Stepping.

Implementation


there are four types of implementation :
1-      Parallel running
2-      Direct changeover
3-      Phased implementation
4-      Pilot running


1- Parallel running : running the new system while the new system is still running .

Pros :
a-      Workers can use the system gradually.
b-      Any problems occurred , which cause the system to stop , the existing system is still present.
Cons :
a-      Two sets of workers must be paid to keep the two systems work.
b-      It takes longer time to fully implement the new system.


2- Direct Changeover - The existing system is replaced by the new one. The old one is stopped and
can no longer be used.  happens after thorough testing.

 pros :
- low cost because only one paid worker.
- very quick implementation of complete system.

cons 
-there is one no  backup in case of errors.
- difficult to make improvements while keeping it running.

3- Phased implementation Introducing a system part by part. The system build up new information and makes a final product. (attendance>payroll).

pros :
- if the new system stopped in one part , other parts keep working. 
- workers have time to get used to the new system. 

cons :
- slow compared to direct changeover.
- if the new system doesn't work , impossible to go back to the old one.

3- pilot running - This method is used in big organisations. it is introducing a new system in one branch of the organization , while other branches keep on using the old ones . 

pros :
- if an error occurred , all branches keep on working .
- they can learn from the experience and errors that have been faced in the branch.

cons:
- slow method of implementation. 

Documentation :
documentation is of the two forms :

1- Technical documentation : it is produced specifically for the analyst and the programmer , it is needed when the system needs further development or upgrading .

it is divided into two : 
* Systems documentation and Program documentation.

a- Systems documentation : provide a detailed overview if the whole system
b- Program documentation : needs to be produced for those pieces of program code that have been written.

2- User documentation : it is produced to help users to operate the new system.
This type of documentation is actually provided to help the user how to use the system . it is just like a tutor contains all the guidelines that are needed when the user face a problem while using the system.





Evaluation 

Evaluation measures how well the original ambitions of the new system (i.e. the logical design laid down during the analysis phase) have been achieved.

A system is usually evaluated against a set of criteria :

1- Is the system reliable and robust?
2- Does the system do what it was intended to ?
3- Is the system easy to use?
4- Is the new system efficient ?
5- Is the solution Appropriate?


feedback : information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc., used as a basis for improvement.

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