Information Gathering and Eliciting System Requirements



For SLP 2, you will be briefly introduced to Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) and Entity Relationship diagrams (ERD) to depict the process analysis and data analysis paradigms. The latest Object Oriented modeling paradigm will be introduced in Module 5. This SLP does not have a paper but a short quiz and a brief essay similar to SLP 1.



Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) are used in structured analysis and design for process oriented systems such as legacy systems written in COBOL, C, or third generation languages. Process oriented was the first paradigm to model and diagram processes derived from interviews and system requirements. The SmartDraw tutorial has samples of DFD notations, layers, context, level, and nested diagrams. In structure analysis, the application context is designed first. Then, it follows a top-down approach to progressively more detailed levels until a process cannot be decomposed any longer. The application is documented through diagram forms as shown in the tutorial. Graphical representations replace some text on process descriptions. For this reason, notations are used.



The second paradigm is data oriented using Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERDs) to create the logical design for relational databases. You will need to review how notations and cardinality are integrated in the design. Data orientated analysis is based on the idea that data is more stable than processes since organizations always change the way they do functions. An ERD begins with defining entities such as a person with attributes related to first and last name, phone number, SSN, etc. The entities are then connected through cardinalities 1:1 (one to one), 1:M (one to many), and M:M (many to many) to interface to other entities. From a logical design perspective, database tables are created and normalized.



Modeling is an interactive process, and it is refined during walkthrough sessions with IT professionals and users. If you want more detail on inheritance and other forms, there are many diagrams examples on the Internet to freely view. Only the basics will be covered in Module 2.



SmartDraw. (2011). Software design tutorials. Retrieved from http://www.smartdraw.com/resources/tutorials/data-flow-diagrams/#/resources/tutorials/Introduction-to-DFD



The following examples introduce an inventory system illustrating how process modeling with DFDs and data modeling with ERDs are constructed.



CSUB. (n.d.). DFD example. Retrieved form http://www.sims.monash.edu.au/subjects/cse1204/assets/lecture07.pdf



Creatively Diagraming and Collaboration. (2012). Ultimate guide to ER diagrams. Retrieved from http://creately.com/blog/diagrams/er-diagrams-tutorial/



SLP Assignment



As noted in SLP 1, for this course, you will be working on different SLP assignment modes. Module 2 requires a short quiz, which you can copy and paste from this screen and answer the questions. The second part consists of answering one short question.



Module 2 Quiz



Multiple Choice



Highlight the best answer



1 - Which of the following should be represented on a Data Flow Diagram.



Database

Source

Attribute

Entity

Process

2 - Entity Relationship Diagram focuses upon.



Actors

Data

Entities

Information

3 - Which of the following relates to enterprise interoperability.



DFD

ERD

Context Diagrams

Information Flow diagram

4 - A functional decomposition diagram is a ____ representation of a function process.



Bottom-up

Top-down

Parallel

Sideways

5 ___ Refers to the logical rules that are applied to transform the data into meaningful information.



Inputs

Outputs

Processes

Controls

6 ___ Are the necessary data that enter the system.



Inputs

Outputs

Processes

Controls

7 __ questions encourage spontaneous and uninstructed responses



Closed-questions

Open-questions

Leading-questions

Probing-questions

Observing a system in use at another location is called a(n) ____.



Operational visit

System visit

Site visit

Technical visit

True/False

Instructions: Circle T if the statement is true or F if the statement is false.



8 - T F In an information system an entity is a person, place, thing, or event.



9 - T F Questionnaire methods stress intense interaction between system developers and users.



10 - T F Joint application development is tied to the SDLC development methodology.



Short Essay



Answer the following question in 300-500 words



What do you think are three most common mistakes that novice business analysts make in modeling process or data?



SLP Assignment Expectations



Your paper will be evaluated on the following criteria:



Complete the SLP quiz and question. Copy the quiz in Word and highlight in red the correct answer. Follow with the essay in the next page. Essay must be double spaced. Include a cover page with the assignment.

The essay will be graded on these requirements:



Precision: the question asked is answered.

Clarity: Your answer is clear and shows your good understanding of the topic.

Breadth and Depth: The scope covered in your answer is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives of the module.

Critical thinking: Incorporate your reactions, examples, and applications of the material to business that illustrate your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts.

Your short essay is well written and the references are properly cited and listed.