Transcript Solving Problems Using IT

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Solving Problems Using IT
Introduction
Computers are used in all areas of business,
industry, government, education, transport,
medicine, everywhere. Each one of these
applications arose as someone’s solution to
a problem.
Solving a problem may be seen as a number
of main stages. In producing a solution, a
new information system is developed.
System Life Cycle
The sequence of steps in developing a new
system to solve a problem is called the
system life cycle.
A systems analyst analyses existing
systems and develops new ones.
System Life Cycle
The main steps in the system life cycle are:
 problem recognition;
 feasibility study;
 analysis of the problem;
 design of a new system;
 construction of the new system;
 conversion from the old system to the new;
 maintenance and review of the new system.
Problem Recognition
Problem Recognition establishes what
exactly the problem is. It is a
preliminary study of the situation
•
•
•
You would study the following;
A situation
A user
A problem
Feasibility Study
A feasibility study establishes whether or
not a new system is a good idea, and
estimates the time and resources required
to develop it.
Management has to approve the feasibility
report before the project can go ahead.
Analysis of the problem
Once permission to go ahead an analysis is done to:
•
•
•
Study the existing system - interview users of
the current system, read any manuals or
instructions that are in use and observe the
system in operation
Work out what the new system requires.
Decide what the new system has to do.
Design of the new system
At the design stage:
different possible solutions are considered;
• it is decided whether new software and
hardware is required;
• a design is prepared of the new system
including: data capture, type of user interface,
validation methods, data files, output and
security.
• diagrams produced include: system flowcharts
and program flowcharts or structure diagrams.

Construction of the new
system
Construction of the new system includes:
•
•
•
•
•
writing new programs;
system testing and debugging;
acceptance testing;
producing technical and user
documentation;
users are trained to use the new system
Conversion to the new system
Software and hardware needs to be installed
Files need to be converted
Conversion can be carried out as:
•
•
•
a direct change over;
parallel working;
a phased introduction.
System maintenance and review
• Repair faults;
• Monitor and solve problems;
• Upgrade as requirements change
EXAM QUESTIONS
1.
Jean has to write a program that helps young
children to add and subtract.
a)
b)
2.
Suggest three things Jean should do to improve her
understanding of what the children need.
Give three pieces of advice to Jean to help her to design the
program specially for the children.
Grade D
Describe the following stages involved in producing
an information system:
a)
b)
Designing
Testing
Grade C
EXAM QUESTIONS
A computer is being installed in a theatre
to deal with bookings. It is to replace the
manual system used for bookings.
3.
Give three activities which a systems analyst
should carry out when analysing an existing
system.
When the system is installed parallel running
takes place.
a)
b)
I.
II.
What is parallel running?
When is it no longer necessary?
Grade C
Problem
recognition
Maintenance
and review
Feasibility
study
THE SYSTEM
LIFEibi
CYCLE
Conversion
Analysis
Construction
Design