A2 2: Approaches to System Development

Students must produce a detailed project.

The project requires students to identify and research a realistic problem for which there must be a real end-user. The solution is most likely to be implemented using an appropriate generic applications software package(s). To gain high marks, students are expected to provide a detailed solution specification to a demanding problem. The solution must incorporate the use of a range of advanced software features and functionalities. Teachers must guide students throughout each stage of the project.

The problem should be of sufficient size to allow students to demonstrate skills in all of the following areas:

  • analysing a system;
  • designing a solution;
  • implementing and testing their solution;
  • documenting their solution; and
  • evaluating their solution.

Students must carry out the following steps:

Analysis
  • Define the nature of the problem to be solved.
  • Identify and use fact finding methods to investigate the problem (including questionnaires, observation and structured interviews).
  • Identify data sources.
  • Gather sample documents currently used.
  • Identify the current user activities.
  • Investigate the tasks carried out by the user.
  • Specify limitations of the current system.
  • Describe information requirements of a system.
  • Statement of objectives of new system.

Design
  • Evaluation of possible solutions.
  • Design and document data capture forms.
  • Design screen layouts to include detailed designs of the proposed user interface.
  • Describe any validation required and user feedback required if any data is input in error.
  • Design and document (using appropriate techniques where applicable, for example normalisation/entity relationship models) the data structure necessary to solve the problems indicated in the objectives.
  • Choice of hardware and software.
  • Relate the solution to the capabilities of the software and hardware.

Implementation and Testing
  • A software solution is developed from the design.
  • A comprehensive test plan is produced from the system objectives, showing:
    – objectives with cases of valid, invalid and extreme data;
    – testing of the user interface (navigation and displays etc);
    – system functionality; and
    – evidence of user testing.
  • Produce detailed output from the testing, cross referencing evidence to the test plan.
  • Describe a strategy for implementing the systems into the organisation.

Documenting and Evaluating

Students must document their project by producing:

  • a user guide; and
  • an evaluation.

These are described in more detail below:

User Guide

  • Installation Guide.
  • Step by step instruction for operating all aspects of the system.
  • A guide to any errors that may occur.
  • Appropriate ‘Help’ within the software solution.
  • Backup procedures.

Evaluation

  • Evaluate results against objectives.
  • Identify strengthsand limitations of the final system.
  • Any extensions to the system.

For a full breakdown of the coursework requirements please see the specification