Stage 3 System Design Specification

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Stage 3:   System Design Specification

 

Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the Case Study and all assignments for this class, especially Stage 4:  Final System Report.  The feedback you received on your Stage 1 and Stage 2 assignments should be reviewed and used as you proceed with Stage 3.

Purpose of this Assignment

This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply a systematic approach to translate requirements into a high-level logical system design.This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to:

 

  • apply a systematic approach to translate requirements into an executable systems design
  • effectively communicate with stakeholders to determine, manage, and document business requirements throughout the SDLC

 

Assignment

 

The results of your systems analysis and design work in this class will be documented in a Final System Report.  The purpose of the Report is to inform management of your system proposal and gain approval to proceed with the project.  The Report will be developed and submitted in stages, which will be compiled at the end of class into the Final System Report.  Review the outline of the Final System Report in the Stage 4 Assignment description.  Note that it contains the analysis of the problem(s) and requirements, and proposes what kind of a system solution is needed.  It does not propose a specific solution, but it does recommend why and how the organization should acquire the solution.

 

Following the Requirements Specification (Stage 2 assignment), the next stepis to develop the System Design Specification.  The System Design Specification builds on the Requirements Specification to illustrate how the files/database(s) will be laid out, how the output (forms, reports, and/or screens) and input (forms and/or screens) should be designed.  As you develop this assignment, you should refer to your Stage 2 Requirements Specification (and the feedback you received) and use the inputs and outputs you listed to create the input and output layouts and the file/database design.

 

All of the information you need to complete the projects in this class is not provided in the case study.  In the discussion area of the classroom, there is a discussion titled “Case Study Interview Questions” where you can pose questions about the case study, as if you were interviewing the people in the case study organization.  Any information that you need that is not included in the case study should be asked about in this discussion.  Responses from the faculty member on behalf of the case study organization will be available for everyone in the class.

 

Use the case study and the Case Study Interview Questions discussion, along with your Stage 2 Requirements Specification (including the feedback received),and resourcesbelow, to create a System Design Specification in the format shown below. Include your corrected Stage 2 Requirements Specifications as the first part of this assignment.  Approximate lengths for each section of the Systems Design Specification are provided as a guideline; be sure to provide all pertinent information.  The sources of explanatory materials can be found in the Week 5 Content readings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Requirements Specification

Include your Requirements Specification from Stage 2, with corrections from the feedback included.  This will establish the context for your System Design Specification to follow.

 

System Design Specification

 

  1. Provide an appropriate introduction to this document.  (one paragraph)
  2. Output Layout. Begin with the three outputs listed in your Requirements Specification.  For each of them, create a diagram or table illustrating what the output would look like. (use a short paragraph to introduce this section and each diagram, table or illustration should use about ½ of a page)
    1. Output Layout #1.
    2. Output Layout #2.
    3. Output Layout #3.
  • Input Layout. Using the data elements listed in your Requirements Specification, create a diagram or table illustrating what the input screen would look like for each of the three sets of input.  (use a short paragraph to introduce this section and each diagram, table or illustration should use about ½ of a page)
    1. Input Layout #1.
    2. Input Layout #2.
    3. Input Layout #3.
  1. File/database Design ERDs. For each of the three sets of outputs and inputs, create an Entity Relationship Diagram showing how the data elements are related to each other [see an explanation at http://www.cs.uregina.ca/Links/class-info/215/erd/,and use theformatting specified in the example]. Depending on the inputs and outputs identified, there may be some overlap of the data elements in the ERDs; a separate ERD should be developed for each pair of inputs/outputs.  (use a short paragraph to introduce this section, and each ERD should be on one page)
    1. File/database Design ERD #1.
    2. File/database Design ERD #2.
    3. File/database Design ERD #3.

 

Submitting Your Assignment

Submit your Requirements Specification and System Design Specification as one document via your Assignment Folder as Microsoft Word document, or a document that can be ready using MS Word, with your last name included in the filename.  Use the Grading Rubric below to be sure you have covered all aspects of the assignment.

GRADING RUBRIC:

 

Criteria

  

90-100%

Far Above Standards

  

80-89%

Above Standards

  

70-79%

Meets Standards

  

60-69%

Below Standards

  

< 60%

Well Below Standards

  

Possible Points
Introduction 5 Points

The corrected Requirements Specification is included along with a well-written introduction to the Systems Design Specification; demonstrates a sophisticated level of writing.

 4 Points

The corrected Requirements Specification is included along with an appropriate introduction to the Systems Design Specification; demonstratesclear writing.

 3.5 Points

The corrected Requirements Specification is included along with an introduction to the Systems Design Specification.

 3 Points

The corrected Requirements Specification and/or the introduction to the Systems Design Specification may not be included or may not be complete.

 0-2 Points

The corrected Requirements Specification and introduction to the Systems Design Specification are not included, or little effort is demonstrated.

 

 5
Output Layouts 27-30 Points

Three output layouts are clearly and logically presented; and very clearly relate to the output requirements previously defined. Demonstratea sophisticated level of analysis.

 24-26 Points

Three output layouts are clearly presented; and clearly relate to the output requirements previously defined. Demonstrate accurate analysis.

 21-23 Points

Three output layouts are presented and relate to output requirements previously defined.

  18-20 Points

Fewer than three output layouts may be provided, and/or they may not be appropriate to the previously defined output requirements.

 0-17 Points

One or no output layouts are provided, may not relate to the previously defined output requirements, or little effort is demonstrated.

 30
Input Layouts 27-30 Points

Three input layouts are clearly and logically presented; and very clearly relate to the input requirements previously defined. Demonstratea sophisticated level of analysis.

 24-26 Points

Three input layouts are clearly presented; and clearly relate to the input requirements previously defined. Demonstrate accurate analysis.

 21-23 Points

Three input layouts are presented and relate to input requirements previously defined.

 18-20 Points

Fewer than three input layouts may be provided, and/or they may not be appropriate to the previously defined input requirements.

 0-17 Points

One or no input layouts are provided, may not relate to the previously defined input requirements, or little effort is demonstrated.

 30
File/Database Design ERDs 27-30 Points

Three Entity Relationship Diagrams are correctly constructed, logical, appropriateto the inputs/outputs, and demonstratea sophisticated level of analysis.

 24-26 Points

Three Entity Relationship Diagrams are correctly constructed, logical, appropriateto the inputs/outputs, and demonstrate accurate analysis.

 21-23 Points

Three Entity Relationship Diagrams are adequately constructed, and appropriateto the inputs/outputs.

 18-20 Points

Three Entity Relationship Diagrams may not be included, and/or may not be appropriate to the inputs/outputs.

 0-17 Points

Fewer than three Entity Relationship Diagrams are not provided, are not appropriate to the inputs/outputsor little effort is demonstrated.

 30
Format 5 Points

Submission reflects effective organization and sophisticated writing; follows instructions provided; uses correct structure, grammar, and spelling; presented in a professional format; any references used are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style.

 4 Points

Submission reflects effective organization and clear writing; follows instructions provided; uses correct structure, grammar, and spelling; presented in a professional format; any references used are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style.

 3.5 Points

Submission is adequate, is somewhat organized, follows instructions provided; contains minimal grammar and/or spelling errors; and follows APA style for any references and citations.

 

 3 Points

Submission is not well organized, and/or does not follow instructions provided; and/or contains grammar and/or spelling errors; and/or does not follow APA style for any references and citations. May demonstrate inadequate level of writing.

 0-2 Points

Document is extremely poorly written and does not convey the information.

 

 5
       

TOTAL Points Possible

 100