Systems Development Process (Overview)

JOHN P. VITAL IT-314 Systems Integration and Architecture Saint Louis University

1. What is the problem? 2. What is the best solution to solve it?

Organization

Objective

System

ACME Corp. Coyote Roadrunner

Overview of Systems Development

What is a system?
A system is a set of resources (interrelated set of components) working together to provide services by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process.

What is a subsystem?
A system is called a subsystem when it is viewed as a component of a larger system.

Overview of Systems Development

Overview of Systems Development

What are the resources?

Overview of Systems Development

Three basic functions of system
Input involves capturing and assembling elements that enter the system to be processed. Processing involves transformation processes that convert input into output. Output involves transferring elements that have been produced by a transformation process to their ultimate destination.

Interface VS Integrate
Integrate

A fully Integrated system means that the products are one. This happens when two or more products work closely together to combine different functionality into one product.
Interface Interface, also known as a bridge, is where two or more separate software products communicate under limited capacity.

Overview of Systems Development

What is an Information System?
An information system is a set of formal procedures by which data are collected, processed into information, and distributed to users.

Information System (IS) VS Information Technology (IT)

Information system describes all of the components and resources necessary to deliver its information and functions to the organization. Information technology refers to the various hardware, software, networking, and data management components necessary for the system to operate.
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What is the importance of learning the systems development process?

Objective: To construct a tree swing.

Overlooking the PROBLEM

Overreacting SOLUTION

1. What is the moral lesson of the story?

Part of initiating a software development project is to do a reality check to determine whether or not the project even makes sense. Because of the success rate on IT projects isnt 100%. Your main goal should be to define the best implementation solution for your project, if any, and justify why it is best.
If the project makes sense then you have the ammunition that you need to argue your case when your project is called into question. If your project does not make sense, i.e., it looks like it is going to fail, then it is a very good indication that you should consider other alternatives (you do not have to automate everything).

Phases of Systems Development Process

Phase 1
Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Phase 5

1. Requirements Definition 2. Systems Analysis 3. Systems Design 4. Implementation 5. Maintenance and Review

System Implementation
build and test the system according to requirements and the design specification implement the interfaces and integrations of the system with existing ones install and configure purchased software build the conversion system

System Implementation
hardware and software acquisition install the system provide a smooth transition
user training assist users with normal start-up problems data initialization, mapping and conversion (migration)

site preparation evaluate the system (post-audit)

Testing
Module/Unit testing
Developing test data that will force the computer to execute every statement in the program

System testing
Requires the testing of all programs together

Volume testing
Ensures that entire system can handle a large amount of data under normal operating conditions
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Testing
Integration testing
Ensures that new programs can interact with other major applications

Acceptance testing
Ensures that new or modified system is operating as intended

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Startup
Direct conversion
Stopping the old system and starting the new one on a given date

Phase-in approach
New system is slowly phased in, while old one is slowly phased out

Pilot startup
Running a pilot or small version of the new system along with the old

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Startup

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Unified Process for Integration & Test

Phase Requirements Definition Systems Analysis Systems Design Implementation Test
Integration

Inception Elaboration

Construction

Transition

Unit Tests

Integration tests ... System tests

Prelim. Iter. iterations #1

Iter. Iter. #n #n+1

..

Iter. Iter. #m #m+1

..

Iter. #k

Jacobson et al: USDP

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