Chapter 12, Problem 1RQ

What are the core problem-solving steps for developing new information systems?

• List and describe the problem-solving steps for building a new system.
• Define information requirements and explain why they are important for developing a system solution.
• List the various types of design specifications required for a new information system.
• Explain why the testing stage of systems development is so important. Name and describe the three stages of testing for an information system.
• Describe the roles of documentation, conversion, production, and maintenance in systems development.

Explanation of Solution

Problem-solving:

It is a technique to find a solution of a particular problem. These solving strategy may include mathematical and systematic operations in the process.

Problem solving steps for building a new system:

Problem solving is the method to find the solution to the problem. It has some steps to follow for building a new system is as follows:

• Step 1: Define and understand the problem
• Step 2: Develop the alternative solution
• Step 3: Select the appropriate approach
• Step 4: Implement the solution
• Step 5: Monitor the implementation
• Step 6: Verify the problem

Step 1: Define and understand the problem:

Defining the problem is essential to solve this. The definition includes as identifying its causes, solution objectives, and information requirements. It also includes the reviewing the document that how process currently work and evaluate the possible impact of new tools in the problem.

Step 2: Develop the alternative solution:

Developing the alternative solution gives the path to follow the nature of the problem. Using this step the user can compare the characteristics of final solution with desired result.

Step 3: Select the appropriate approach:

Choosing the best solution for the problem is based on the technical, financial, and organizational feasibility of each alternative solution.

Step 4: Implement the solution:

Implementing the selected solution by involving the efforts of other attributes. The implementation should involve the design specification, hardware and software tools, testing, and documentation.

Step 5: Monitor the implementation:

This step is considered about maintenance of the problem. The maintenance involves software and hardware updating operation, and other techniques. 

Step 6: Verify the problem:

It is the final step of problem solving. In this step the solution should be verified using certain process and procedures.

Explanation of Solution

Information requirements:

• Information requirement is the business activity which describe about information type and information procedure. It defines the objective of new or modified system and has detailed description of functions the new system performed.
• The information requirement is important to developing the system solution because gathering the information requirements is difficult task of the system analyst and developing the functional requirement can meet the need of the end user.

Therefore the information requirement is important for developing a system solution.

Explanation of Solution

Various types of design specifications needed for a new information system:

The new information system requires some design specification. These specification should consider about technical, organizational and people needs. The basic specification for the information system is as follows:

• Input
• Output
• User interface
• Database management
• Security and controls
• Training and documentation
• Other organizational changes

Each specification performs particular functionality for the system.

Explanation of Solution

Importance of testing stage of systems development:

Testing stage is one of the phase in system development. It act as a success criteria of the system. Using this stage, the user test the system produce right results for appropriate input. If error occurred on the system, the project will be reorganized.

Three stages of testing an information system:

Three stages are available when testing an information system. These stages are:

• Unit testing
• System testing
• Acceptance testing

Unit testing:

• Unit test is one of the stages defined for the tests. It is used to test the single module for some sort of specific test.
• It is performed once the programmer develops the program, tests the code, and believes that there is no error in that code.
• It is conducted by the analyst or programmer for that tested code.

System testing:

• System testing is done by the analysts to ensure that the set of the programs and module work together without error.
•  System testing scope is much broader than that of the integration and unit testing.

Acceptance testing:

• Acceptance testing is purely in the acceptance of the users.
• Acceptance testing scope is not that much broader than system testing.
• It checks that the system meets all requirements for which it was specified by the user.

Explanation of Solution

Role of documentation:

Documentation is the important step in project development; this is because the documentation of the project provides the overall details about the project.

• The documentation process lies at the fifth phase of the Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC).

Role of conversion:

Conversion process is to change the old system into new one. It is performed in projects in four ways. They are: parallel conversion, pilot conversion, phased conversion, and direct conversion.

Role of production:

It is the process of producing the system with a particular form. The produced system will be reviewed by the users or technical specialists.

Role of maintenance:

After installation of the program, maintenance plays an important role to run the program successfully. In this phase, the existing problems in the code are rectified. After implementation of the program, necessary changes are made to upgrade the program in the maintenance phase.