Business Systems Analysis, Design & Implementation

Course Overview

Delegates are taken through a feasibility study from initial fact finding to the presentation of proposals to management. Delegates work in groups supported by lecture sessions, to produce deliverables in the systems development life-cycle. The requirements phase is conducted with realistic role-played interviews which are videoed to enable feedback to every delegate. Each syndicate group produces a development report which is used in a properly conducted meeting, and a final presentation is made to gain acceptance of the proposals by users. The course can also help delegates take a common approach in their systems proposals when back in the workplace.

Course Content

Structured Methods Overview

• System requirements
• Why systems fail
• The systems development life-cycle
• The structured approach
• Structured methods deliverables
• Events, processes and data

Fact-Finding & Interviewing

• Objectives of fact-finding
• Procedures & data
• Vital questions
• Major considerations
• Dealing with users
• Terms of reference
• Fact-finding techniques
• Interview techniques
• Planning the interview
• Personality & attitude

Data Flow Diagrams

• What is a DFD
• Processes
• External Entities
• Data flows
• Developing a Level 1 DFD

Entity Modelling

• Purpose
• Entities
• Attributes
• Relationships
• Developing an Entity Model
• Rationalising the model
• Optionality
• Added Value techniques

Logical Data Flow Diagrams

• Purpose
• Conversion from physical to logical DFD
• Levels of Logical DFD

Function Hierarchy

• Objectives
• Constructing a Hierarchy
• Identifying business functions

Physical Design

• Steps in physical design
• Batch Vs. real-time
• Physical data
• Input & output

Relational Data Analysis

• Purpose
• Definition of RDA
• Types of key
• Normalisation steps
• 3rd normal form data model

First-Cut Physical Data Design

• Objectives
• Stages in physical design

Object Oriented Analysis

• What is an object
• Messages
• Subclasses & Superclasses
• Summary of OO concepts
• Information hiding
• Abstract data types
• Over-riding
• Methodologies
• Class relationships
• Dynamic modelling
• Risks and benefits

Report Writing

• Communication types and objectives
• Barriers to the written word
• Initiation and authorisation
• Levels of reports
• Honesty and Impact
• Arrangment and Structure
• Style and Presentation

Implementation & Handover

• Planning and control
• Site preparation
• Education & training
• New equipment
• System testing
• Changeover
• Data conversion
• Documentation

Project Planning & Control

• Role of the Project Manager
• Planning Problems
• The man-month
• Risk Analysis
• Project structures
• Project monitoring & action

System Justification

• Categories of Costs & Benefits
• Quantifiable & non-quantifiable
• Debtor control
• Cash flow analysis

Meetings

• Purpose of meetings
• Preparation
• Size of the group
• Agenda
• Chairing skills
• Decisions/Actions list
• Closing the meeting

Presentations

• Objectives
• Performance style
• The Audience
• Them
• You
• Level
• Presentation organisation
• Check list
• Questions
• Scripting
• Visual Aids