Reasons for system development

• Reasons FOR System Development

  • User needs not being met
  • Not developed on time
  • Over budget
  • No quality checks being carried out
  • Not meeting user requirements
• Causes of the software crisis

  • Systems not delivered on time
  • Systems are difficult and expensive to maintain
  • User interface doesn't match users' IT skill
  • System did not meet user requirements/system specification
• Feasibility study


  An assessment of the practicality of a proposed plan/method
• Factors to consider in a feasibility study

  • Technical - Does technology exist within the organisation?
  • Legal - Laws to consider
  • Social - How will current staff be affected?
  • Economic - How much will the system cost?
  • Schedule - How long will the software system take to implement?
• Benefits of a new system

  • Greater efficiency
  • Reduced costs
  • Standardised way of working
  • Increased end-user satisfaction
• Main factors affecting systems

  • Time
  • Cost
  • User needs
• Time


  How long will the system take to implement, timing details are essential to arrange training
• Cost


  A cost estimate must be calculated to determine how much the new system will actually cost. It helps the company determine a budget.
• User needs


  Does the system meet all user requirements? Will end users need training?
• User interface


  Allows human users to interact with the computer system and its packages
• Software processes


  An activity carried out by a computer system. Raw data is processed to become information. Results from one process can be passed onto the next.
• Data


  Raw facts and figures used in the software processes
• Batch processing


  • Data/Documents are bundled together into a batch and are processed together, overnight. All documents undergo the same level of processing. It is an automatic process and requires no human intervention.
• Interactive processing


  • All transactions are processed immediately. Each transaction directly impacts the next. Each transaction must be fully completed for the next one to begin. Requires a computer system.
• Online processing


  • One transaction takes place at a time, once it is accepted, the database will update. The User Interface must be clear and easy to use. Validation ensures data is correct.
• System development life cycle

  1. Draw up the system specification

  2. Draw up test criteria

  3. Conduct a feasibility study

  4. Analyse data processing requirements
• Responsibilities of a system analyst

  • Manage and schedule all tasks
  • Oversee development
  • Control the budget
  • Identify risks and report back to the client
  • Respond to risks
• Resources the project manager is responsible for

  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Personnel
• Responsibilities of a programmer

  1. Write source code

  2. Create a test plan and test program code

  3. Debug if errors are found

  4. Produce technical documentation
• Risks in a software development project

  • Key team member may be unavailable
  • Task may take too long, causing sub-tasks to begin late, possibly exceeding budget