SDLC

System Design, implementation,

operation, maintenance and review
BY D. MUNTHALI
System Design

The purpose of systems design is to answer the question “How will
the information system solve a problem?”

The primary result of the systems design phase is a technical design
that details:

system outputs, inputs, and user interfaces

specifies hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, personnel, and
procedures.

shows how these components are related.

Two key aspects of systems design are logical and physical design.
Logical Design

The logical design refers to what the system will do.

It describes the functional requirements of a system.


Logical design involves planning the purpose of each system
- independent of hardware and software considerations.


The logical design specifications that are determined and
documented include:

Output, Input, Process, file and database, telecommunications, procedures,
controls and security, and personnel and job requirements.
Physical Design

The physical design refers to how the tasks are accomplished,
including how the components work together and what each
component does.

Specifies the characteristics of the system components necessary to
put the logical design into action.
Environmental Design Considerations

Involves systems development efforts that slash power
consumption, require less physical space, and result in systems that
can be disposed in a way that does not negatively affect the
environment.

Designing computers that use less power and are made from recycled materials.

Pushing cold air under data centers to cool equipment.

Building facilities with more insulation.
Generating Systems Design
Alternatives

Generating systems design alternatives often involves getting the
involvement of single vendor or multiple vendors.


If the new system is complex, the original development team might
want to involve other personnel in generating alternative designs.
Cont..

Request for proposals - The request for proposal (RFP) is a
document that specifies in detail required resources such as
hardware and software.

The RFP is an important document for many organizations involved
with large, complex systems development efforts.


The RFP communicates needs to one or more vendors, and it
provides a way to evaluate whether the vendor has delivered what
was expected.
Cont..

Evaluating and Selecting a Systems Design - Involves achieving a
balance of system objectives that will best support organizational
goals.

Preliminary evaluation - begins after all proposals have been
submitted
- The purpose of this evaluation is to dismiss unwanted proposals.

final evaluation - begins with a detailed investigation of the
proposals offered by the remaining vendors.
- The vendors should be asked to make a final presentation and to fully
demonstrate the system.
The Design Report

System specifications are the final results of systems design.

They include a technical description that details:

System outputs and inputs

User interfaces

All hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, personnel

Procedure components

The way the components are related.
Systems Implementation

System implementation includes:

hardware acquisition

programming and software acquisition or development

User preparation

hiring and training of personnel

site and data preparation

Installation

testing

start-up

user acceptance
Acquiring Hardware from an IS Vendor

Organizations can purchase, lease, or rent computer hardware and
other resources from an IS vendor.

An IS vendor is a company that offers hardware, software,
telecommunications systems, databases, IS personnel, or other
computer-related resources.

Types include:
- Computer manufacturers (IBM, HP etc.)
- Small computer manufacturers (Sony, Dell etc.)
- Computer dealers and distributors
Acquiring Software: Make or Buy?

Software can be purchased from external developers or developed
in-house.

Individuals and organizations can purchase software from a number
of online application stores or retail stores.
Acquiring Database and
Telecommunications Systems

Hardware and software also apply to database systems including
open source databases.

Database virtualization.

Acquiring hardware and software also applies to the acquisition of
telecommunications hardware and software.
User Preparation

Is the process of readying managers, decision makers, employees,
other users, and stakeholders for the new systems.

When a new operating system or application software package is
implemented, user training is essential.
IS Personnel: Hiring and Training

An IS manager, systems analysts, computer programmers, data entry
operators, and similar personnel might be needed for the new or
modified system.
Site Preparation

For a small system, site preparation can be as simple as rearranging
the furniture in an office to make room for a computer.

With a larger system it can require special wiring and air conditioning,
security etc.
Data Preparation

Involves making sure that all files and databases are ready to be
used with new computer software and systems.


If an organization is installing a new payroll program, the old employee-
payroll data might have to be converted into a format that can be used
by the new computer software or system.
Installation

Installation is the process of physically placing the computer
equipment on the site and making it operational.

Normally the manufacturer is responsible for installing computer
equipment.
Testing

Good testing procedures are essential to make sure that the new or
modified information system operates as intended.

Several forms of testing should be used:

Unit testing - Testing of individual programs.

system testing - Testing the entire system of programs.

volume testing - Testing the application with a large amount of data.

integration testing - Testing all related systems together.

acceptance testing - Conducting any tests required by the user.
Start-Up

Also called cutover, begins with the final tested information system.

When start-up is finished, the system is fully operational.

Various start-up approaches are available.


Direct conversion - involves stopping the old system and starting
the new system on a given date.

Direct conversion is usually the least desirable approach because of
the potential for problems and errors when the old system is shut
off and the new system is turned on at the same instant.
Cont..

Phase-in approach - components of the new system are slowly
phased in while components of the old one are slowly phased out.

When everyone is confident that the new system is performing as
expected, the old system is completely phased out.


Pilot start-up - involves running the new system for one group of
users rather than all users.

A system can be installed for certain users at one site, if it runs
without problems the system can be installed at another site.
Cont..

Parallel start-up - involves running both the old and new systems
for a period of time.

The output of the new system is compared closely with the output
of the old system, and any differences are reconciled.

When users are comfortable that the new system is working
correctly, the old system is eliminated.
User Acceptance

A formal agreement the user signs stating that a phase of the
installation or the complete system is approved.

This is a legal document that usually removes or reduces the IS vendor’s
liability for problems that occur.
Systems Operation and maintenance

Systems operations

Is the process of analyzing systems to make sure that they are
operating as intended.

A help desk consists of people with technical expertise, computer
systems, manuals, and other resources needed to solve problems and
give accurate answers to questions.
Cont..

Systems maintenance

Involves checking, changing, and enhancing the system to make it
more useful in achieving user and organizational goals.

Organizations can perform systems maintenance in house or they can
hire outside companies to perform maintenance for them.
Systems Review

Compares the performance and benefits of the system as it was designed
with the actual performance and benefits of the system in operation.

System Performance Measurement - involves monitoring the system.
- Number of errors encountered
- The amount of memory required
- The amount of processing or CPU time needed