Aug 1999 SA205 : Systems Analysis (Question 2) Suggested Solutions

(a)	Why are the strategies for the development of information systems of the utmost importance?	[3]

(b)	Describe the following stages of the systems development life cycle, and, in each case, identify what may be produced as output. (i) Preliminary investigation (ii) Requirements determination (iii) System design (iv) System development (v) System testing (vi) System implementation and evaluation	[2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2]
	(i) The preliminary investigation stage involves ensuring that the system being developed is aligned with the organisation's goals and is achievable in terms of technology, commitment, budget, and resources. At the end of this stage, a preliminary investigation report is produced. (ii) The requirements determination phase involves determining exactly what takes place in the current system, what should take place, and recommend alternative solutions (and their costs). At the end of this stage, a system requirements document is produced. (iii) The systems design phase involves determining how the new system can be best constructed to satisfy the requirements. At the end of this stage, a system specification is produced. (iv) Systems development involves the actual construction of the system. At the end of this stage, procedure manuals and software are produced. (v) Systems testing involves ensuring that the system compiles with the specification. At the end of this stage, tested software is produced. (vi) Systems implementation and evaluation involves converting from the old system to the new system. At the end of this stage, a working system evaluation report is produced.
(c)	There are several advantages associated with the use of prototyping in system development. Describe circumstances under which the following advantages may be true: (i) Prototyping helps meets users' needs to a greater extent. (ii) More opportunity for changes.	[1] [1]
	(i) The creation of a prototype which presents the more visual aspects of the system which is under development often helps to clarify user's needs. (ii) The prototype lends itself to a modification and revision process, with each new version of a prototype often being an enhanced version of the previous one.
(d)	Prototyping does have its drawbacks. For each of the following problems, explain why it exists: (i) Prototyping demands high cooperation between user and developer. (ii) Total development costs can be higher. (iii) No or poor development.	[1] [1] [1]
	(i) Active users' participation requires time that some users may not be able to afford. (ii) When users constantly make changes to the system, prototyping can result in longer development times. (iii) Prototyping is an iterative process; this could require continuos updates to documentation.