System Design Questions - Case Study Example

System Design Question Problem I - Part A Your systems analysis team is close to completing a system for Meecham Feeds. Roger is quite confident that the programs that he has written for Meecham’s inventory system will perform as necessary, because they are similar to programs he has done before. Your team has been very busy and would ideally like to begin full systems testing as soon as possible. Two of your juniors’ team members have proposed the following: a) Skip desk checking of the programs (because similar programs were checked in other installations; Roger has agreed). The team of Roger is quiet familiar with the overall system development that they have done. In case of desk checking we are going to perform a manual (non- computerized) technique for checking the logic of an algorithm that we have developed. However, to perform the desk checking we need to carry out check through the pen and paper to record results. Here in desk checking we need to carefully follow the algorithm being careful to rigidly adhere to the logic specified (King, 1999). In the scenario of present project when our teams are very busy and have no time for system testing the desk checking technique will waste a lot of time. This will require huge time and effort for the basic logical checking. However Roger has previously done a lot of similar project, so we can say that there will be no problem at logical level. The decision of skipping the desk checking will have no effect on overall system testing. Since, the similar programs were checked in other installations. b) Do link testing with large amounts of data to prove that the system will work. (6 points) In link testing we will test a group of modules to make sure that the modules function properly in combination. It is usually carried out after the individual modules have been checked and tested in isolation as well as previous to the integration testing that is carried out for the complete system. In case of testing a system with large amounts of data to prove that the system will work through the link testing will ensure that system encompasses proper connection and communication among all working modules of the system. However, with the large data of the system we will be able to ensure that system is able to perform effectively under different working loads and arrangements. Therefore, large data for the link testing will ensure the communication among system modules and their mutual cooperation. Since, here we need to check for only the links and communication among the system components. Thus, there is no need to use large data sets for testing. c) Do full systems testing with large amounts of live data to show that the system is working. Full system testing allows us to discover design weaknesses or defects that cannot be recognized all through product design. Additionally, in full system testing we are aimed to accelerate stress testing techniques those offer us system evaluation for recent or proposed product transformations as well as make sure the reliability of our system. Moreover, by making use of large data sets we can test the system for its effective performance. In this scenario we are able to check for the potential working structure, working areas and operational sequence. Since, large data sets always offer effective performance for the system working (Pan, 1999).   Part B Mr. Bruce Schnieder, the owner of A&A Office Supplies Company, had contacted you for your advices on a new information system installed recently at his company to help improving his company inventory tasks. He told you that the team that came to install the system does not have any evaluation mechanism and he also mentioned to you that some of his employees had complained about the new system’s inputs and outputs. Since he wants to obtain the inventory result of this quarter, he would like to delay or skip the new system evaluation and use the new system for inventory right away. Given the above conditions, he would like to have your advices on his decision and on the evaluation of his new system. a) In a paragraph, explain to Mr. Schnieder about problems that can occur when a system is not evaluated systematically? In case of new technology based system implementation at the Mr. Bruce Schnieder’s A&A Office Supplies Company we will require effective evaluation mechanism for the system testing. Before, installation team has not established some effective evaluation mechanism that has created a lot of problems. In case of new system implementation the system working and performance need to be tested against some specified criteria. However, in case of delay or skipping the new system evaluation the main problems can be regarding the verification of the inputs. Since, a system can take some wrong inputs for carrying out any task. For example system can take character value in place of the integers. The wrong inputs can lead towards the wrong results. On the other hand system can offer some data authentication problems. For example, in data reporting we can face some unknown anomalies those can only be detected through the effective evaluation of the system performance. b) Devise a checklist or form that helps Mr. Schnieder’s employees evaluate the utilities of the new information system. Suggest a second way to evaluate the information system, if any. Please be specific and explain your answers. (18 points) Checklist for evaluating the utilities of the new information system Here is the checklist for evaluation of the main utilities of the new information system: Is the system comprehensive? Is the system flexible? Does it support all of our main business functions? Is the system completely integrated? Is the system built around the unique nature of metals products? Is the total cost of ownership affordable? Is the system intuitive and easy to use? Is the system built to support the main functions of a business service center? Second way to evaluate In second way we have proposed the overall system performance we will check the system for the following aspects of the working and operational arrangement: (Shneiderman & Plaisant, 2006): Here we will assess that the system fundamentally fulfills the basic business goals and also provides the tools to help and convene operational improvement objectives of A&A Office Supplies Company working. Next main aspect we will evaluate is about the fast, easy access to information regarding daily operations, executive management, financial performance as well as business decision-making. Another main aspect we need to assess is confirmation of the business process flows as well as controls to up hold the fast and smooth flow of transactions in the course of our organization. Here we need to evaluate for the proper as well as complete execution of every process, and to make sure information is for all time accurate and up-to-date The main evaluation aspect we need to determine is about the automation of a lot of business tasks such as routine business tasks, standard documentation, complex calculations and report preparation. Problem II - (50 points) Cherry Jones owns a homeopathic medicine company called Faithhealers. She sells vitamins and other relatively nonperishable products for those who want choices regarding alternative medicine. Cherry is developing a new system that would require her staff to be retrained. a) Given the information in Figure 3.EX3 (Kendall & Kendall, page 102), make a PERT diagram for her and identify the critical path DESCRIPTION TASK MUST FOLLOW TIME (WEEK) Interview executive A None 6 Interview staff in order fulfillment B None 3 Design input prototype C B 2 Design output prototype D A,C 3 Write use cases E A,C 4 Record staff reaction to prototypes F D 2 Develop system G E, F 5 Write up training manual H B, G 3 Train staff working in order fulfillment I H 2 Critical Path Activity No. Activity Name On Critical Path Activity Time Earliest Start Earliest Finish Latest Start Latest Finish Slack (LS-ES) 1 A Yes 6 0 6 0 6 0 2 B no 3 0 3 1 4 1 3 C no 2 3 5 4 6 1 4 D Yes 3 6 9 6 9 0 5 E no 4 6 10 7 11 1 6 F Yes 2 9 11 9 11 0 7 G Yes 5 11 16 11 16 0 8 H Yes 3 16 19 16 19 0 9 I Yes 2 19 21 19 21 0 Project Completion Time = 21 weeks Number of Critical Path(s)= 1 PERT Diagram b) If Cherry could find away to save time on the “write use cases” phase, would it help? Why or why not. No. The “write use cases” phase cannot help in reducing the overall time of the project. The main reason is that this activity is not on the critical path. In this scenario skipping or minimizing time for this activity cannot help in overall project time reduction. Problem III- The problem (refer to Consulting Opportunity 3.1) is that the orders are not easily placed to the European plant, which is compounded whenever demand for the products increases dramatically. The company is looking for a systems solution that will address the problem and the solution should stress collaboration, flexibility, adaptability, and access. One of your proposed the following simple network solution that is to create an intranet that links the U.S. distributors with the European headquarters. As a systems analyst, respond to this proposal by answering the following question: “Does this proposed network solve the problem mentioned in Consulting Opportunity 3.1?” If the answer is “Yes”, please explain the reasons why you support this proposal. Otherwise, explain the reasons why you disagree with the proposal and in case you are not completely agree with the solution, please offer some modifications to improve it. Stern's European beverage maker selling its products in Europe and growing popularity in the United States. In scenario of its distribution network it is facing difficulty in adequately managing inventory and keeping up with U.S. cus­tomer demand. The main effect on the customer demand network is due to the seasonal temperature fluctua­tions. However, in previous warm-temperature climates and lots of tourists (such as Florida and California) had given huge standing orders, however other areas of the nation could benefit from a less cum­bersome, more receptive order-placing process. The distribution network of the Sipps consists of local located distributers all through the United States and Canada. In this structure there are a lot of problems regarding the distribution network and overall order processing arrangement. However in the proposed network of distribution for Sipps the business will be able to effectively manage the order processing centers and processing control centers. In this scenario all orders and customer requirements are dispatched and managed through the remote business network centers. These orders will be further processed and managed according to needs and expectations of customers. After that these orders will be dispatched to European plant for the overall production. And then will be sent to the distribution centers. These distribution centers are able to manage and handle the demand of the customers by using the overall distribution network. This new proposed network will be capable to handle and control the overall supply and demand structure in a better way. The main reason is that the new arrangement will offer the demands straightly to order processing centers and processing control centers. In this way there is no interaction of distributers to orders and their processing. In case of any seasonal temperature fluctua­tions the order processing centers and processing control centers will effectively manage the ongoing production and supply chain processing. Problem IV   a) The data-base table layout of an ordering system is illustrated Figure 13.26 (Kendall & Kendall, page 503), draw an E-R diagram for the ordering system. b) Draw a logical data flow diagram 0 for placing an order base on the above E-R diagram. The recommended major processes are as follows: Process names: (1) Enter new order (2) Read customer master (3) Read item record (4) Create item order record (5) Add order record Problem IV - (50 points) Consider a school advising system in which a faculty advisor can advise many students, each of whom can register for one or many courses. The following is an example of an un-normalized STUDENT table for three students. STUDENT Student Number Student Name Total Credits GPA Advisor Number Advisor Name Course Number Course Description Course Credits Grade 1034 Linda 47 3.60 59 Smith CSC101 Computer Science I 4 B MKT211 Marketing Management 3 A ENG101 English Composition 3 B CHM111 General Chemistry I 4 A BUS101 Introduction to Business 2 A 3397 Sam 29 3.00 59 Smith ENG101 English Composition 3 A MKT211 Marketing Management 3 B CSC101 Computer Science I 4 B 4070 Kelly 14 3.20 23 Jones CSC101 Computer Science I 4 B CHM111 General Chemistry I 4 A ENG101 English Composition 3 B BUS101 Introduction to Business 2 B Perform the normalization process to convert the above un-normalized table to: 1. First normal form (1NF). Student Student Number, Student Name, Total Credits, GPA, Advisor Number, Advisor Name, Course Number, Course Description, Course Credit, Grade 2. Second normal form (2NF). Advisor Advisor Number, Advisor Name Student Student Number, Student Name, Total Credits, GPA, Advisor Number, Grade Course Course Number, Course Description, Course Credit, 3. Third normal form (3NF). Advisor Advisor Number, Advisor Name Student Student Number, Student Name, Total Credits, GPA, Advisor Number Course Course Number, Course Description, Course Credit, Grade Student Number, Course Number, Grade Bibliography 1. King, P. J. (1999, August 31). Desk-checking. Retrieved April 16, 2010, from School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (MACS), Heriot-Watt University: http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~pjbk/pathways/cpp1/node36.html 2. Pan, J. (1999). Software Testing. Retrieved April 16, 2010, from http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~koopman/des_s99/sw_testing/ 3. Shneiderman, B., & Plaisant, C. (2006). Strategies for evaluating information visualization tools: multi-dimensional in-depth long-term case studies. AVI, Proceedings of the 2006 AVI workshop on BEyond time and errors: novel evaluation methods for information visualization (pp. 1-7). Venice, Italy Venice, Italy : ACM New York, USA. Read More