Data Flow Analysis, Decision analysis, Process Mapping, among others help us in getting a detailed understanding of the business systems. They also help us in visualizing a software solution. For more such innovative content on management studies, join WeSchool PGDM-DLP Program: http://bit.ly/welingkarshybridDlp

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I.T. for Management
CHAPTER-16
Visualizing a software solution
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Visualizing a software Solution
Visualizing a software solution from user point of view
Dataflow analysis, Object analysis, Decision analysis,
Process mapping & other help us to gain a detailed
understanding of business systems
However the focus of these studies is to understand
• “Why” i.e. purpose
• “What” i.e. functions performed
• “How” i.e. detailed logic performing these functions
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Who are users of system
For instance if we computerize the material receipt section
of the factory the direct users are those who work in receipt
section.
They would be able to
• Acknowledge the receipt of the material to the supplier
• Match the receipt with the details of the items which has
physically arrived
• Update the purchase orders to the extent of receipt
quantity
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Stakeholders Analysis
It is therefore vital to formerly identify various stakeholders
in a system development project, identify there specific
needs and wants as also understand the risk associated with
not meeting some of these needs on the success of project
& the impact of organization
This is known as stakeholders analysis
The stakeholders analysis helps the project manager
Analyst to priorities the needs expectations of stakeholders
& balance out risks
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Visualizing a software Solution
Stakeholders Analysis
For instance Installing ATM would affect lot of walk in customers
& both positively or negatively
Negative Effects
In the case of the ATM, it would pose a limit for the Withdrawal
at one time
It is very impersonal for many customers who need interaction
Senior citizens are not very comfortable
Positive effects
Most busy people would be happy that the ATM has provided
true any where any time banking
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The User view Use case
Use case is a method of understanding how a system would
be used even before developing it
A description of why a user would need to use a system &
how he would he interact with the system to fulfill his needs
Thus in ATM example how should dialog between customer
& bank takes place
Check his balance
Withdraw cash
Deposit cash
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The User view Use case
Writing a use case: For above example use case for withdrawing cash will be
Use case Withdraw Cash
Version 1.0
Date 1stMay 06
Author XYZ
Reference Use case for Log in
Normal flow ATM displays Menu Screen
Customer points to cash withdraw
ATM ask A/C no
……………………..
ATM Displays the default screen
Exception alternate path
Change amount Customer points to no option
No transaction print out Customer points to no option
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The more about User case
The use case has been divided into several blocks
Identification block : Name, application Author etc.
Second block provides technical reference
The normal flow describes flow of logic
The alternate path describes each of other option in all decision points
Exceptions can be mentioned in separate section or under alternate
path
Reusing Use cases: for example Log in of customer
Is required for every transaction
One business event-many ways to write a use case
Role plays/Dialog writing: You must be able to visualize exact dialog
between user & software
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Benefits of User case
It helps in taking a users view point about how he would like to
interact with the system
It provides exact view of the system
A comprehensive list of actors, business events and use case lead
to a comprehensive definition of what a software solution do
from user perspective.
It is therefore a good idea to identify key business users, business
events, & key use cases right at the beginning of software project
The use case also serve as acceptance criteria for approving
software application
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Visualizing Screens /Outputs
Design of Screens for a software is both a scientific as well as
creative field.
To add the choices, web technology has added a very different
dimension to to interface design. The era of embedded
technology adds yet another dimension where in we can interact
with virtually anything & everything for example automobile,
fridge, washing machine etc.
Human computer interface is a field of interest of various people
like Business analyst, Security experts, Instructional psychologists
etc.
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GUI Design
The Graphical user interface uses the windows based technology.
The use of pop ups, check boxes, check lists, tool bars , Text boxes
are common features of GUI
Some basic tenets of screen design are
• Consistency
• Simple uncluttered look
• Intuitive
• Drop down menu
• Use of colors &visual features
• Sequence of field
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Web Design
What is mentioned for GUI is also applicable for Web pages. Web
pages can be of three types
• Static
• Interactive
• Dynamic
Static web pages are informative pages needs to be physically
updated or modified
Interactive pages use technology such as flash, XML to bring the
content alive on screen
These pages ask questions to user & provide necessary answers
Dynamic web pages are for full-fledged web based applications
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Visualizing a software Solution
End of Chapter 16
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