Development of an Internet Based Housing Demand Database System - Dissertation Example

The system requirements and specifications identified through the JAD and interview sessions at KZN-DHS provided the base for developing system blueprints and the subsequent design of the system prototype. The key challenge faced by the system developers, in this case, was the wide range of users and meeting their specific information or transaction requirements online. Web-based software applications are driven by the need to define the flow of data and information through distinct user levels. The information system caters to the needs of a wide range of users hence the database design is of paramount importance in ensuring effective outcomes. E-governance models depend on effective linkages between distinct departments and functional units for efficient results. The subsequent paragraphs provide a deeper insight into the testing mechanism used in this context to evaluate its scope and potential in identifying system requirements.

4.2 New system requirements – findings and analysis
This section discusses the analysis of the questionnaire and the analysis of it which formed the basis of the requirements of the new system. The questionnaire provided insights from the system analysts, database administrators, and the development team as to the requirement specifications of KZN/DHS, the municipalities, and the users. Before embarking on the requirement specifications, it was important to know why the previous system software failed, what its shortcomings were, and why it was unacceptable for the users. There was a need for a detailed understanding of the standard operational process, the principal requirements of the department and the users, the shortcomings of the old system, the relational aspect of the system with respect to the sections or departments, and the local municipalities frequent communication and sharing of data which needed to be analyzed at length to come to a systems requirement specifications (Kaner, 1993).

The questionnaire also enabled the researcher to get a thorough insight into the problems the department and the users were facing and their day-to-day requirements as they had knowledge of KZN/DHS day-to-day business roles, the hierarchical levels, and the relational aspects of all the departments concerned.