ANALYSIS PHASE (Lesson 59)

ANALYSIS PHASE OF SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

The Analysis Phase is the first phase of system development.

In this phase, the system developers would need to define problems faced by target users.

The target users will indicate their requirements. They need to give a description of what a system must do and the main functions of the system.

By doing this, the system developers can define the purpose of the system. It would help system developers set the focus of the system.

PROBLEM ANALYSIS

During the Analysis Phase, the system developers will interview the target users to find out their needs.

For example, in the School Resource Centre, the system developers found out that the target users are currently using the manual system.

They are facing difficulties in keeping resource materials organised as the volume of books is increasing.

The target users require a new system that is a School Resource System to register and catalogue their books.

By doing problem analysis, the system developers would have to understand the needs of the target users.

The new system should store all book details as in a manual system.

The new system should be faster, easier to use and have a larger storage.

In the School Resource System, the system developers need to identify the input, process and output for the system.

The system developers identify the input, for example AuthorName, PublisherName, CategoryName, BookTitle and BookPrice.

The system developers identify the process for all the system. All new books
purchased by the School Resource Centre would have all their data keyed into the School Resource System.

The system developers identify the output for the system. For example, the books which have been keyed in will be printed out as document references in the School Resource Centre.

By doing this problem analysis, the system developers can come up with the design of the system.

EXTENSION : STANDARDISATION

Standardisation is a set of rules and procedures that system developers require target users to accept and follow.

For example, system developers need standardisation for the coding of stock name. In Analysis Phase, system developers need to understand the terms used by target users in order to set a standardisation for input, process and output.

If the stock code is set to S00001, the target user must follow the standard by using the prefix S for the rest of the stock code. For example S00002, S00003 and so on.

Standardisation is used to help people working on the same development project to produce consistent results.Without standardisation, the system will not function correctly. Setting standards avoids confusion in the whole process of system development.