Preliminary System Study
Preliminary system study is the first stage of system development life cycle. The initial system study involves the preparation of a ‘System Proposal’ which lists the Problem Definition, Objectives of the Study, Terms of reference for Study, Constraints, Expected benefits of the new system, etc. in the light of the user requirements. The system proposal is prepared by the System Analyst.
Feasibility Study
The feasibility study is basically the test of the proposed system in the light of its workability, meeting user’s requirements, effective use of resources and the cost effectiveness.
Detailed System Study
The detailed investigation of the system is carried out in accordance with the objectives of the proposed system. This involves detailed study of various operations performed by a system and their relationships within and outside the system. Interviews, on-site observation and questionnaire are the tools used for detailed system study.
System Analysis
Systems analysis is a process of collecting factual data, understand the processes involved, identifying problems and recommending feasible suggestions for improving the system functioning. Systems analysis is an iterative process that continues until a preferred and acceptable solution emerges.
System Design
Based on the user requirements and the detailed analysis of the existing system, the new system must be designed. Normally, the design proceeds in two stages:
1. Preliminary or General Design: the features of the new system are specified. The costs of implementing these features and the benefits to be derived are estimated. If the project is still considered to be feasible, we move to the detailed design stage.
2. Structured or Detailed Design: the design of the system becomes more structured. Input, output, databases, forms, codification schemes and processing specifications are drawn up in detail. In the design stage, the programming language and the hardware and software platform in which the new system will run are also decided.
Coding
The system design needs to be implemented to make it a workable system. This demands the coding of design into computer understandable language, i.e., programming language. This is also called the programming phase in which the programmer converts the program specifications into computer instructions, which we refer to as programs. The programs coordinate the data movements and control the entire process in a system.
Testing
Before actually implementing the new system into operation, a test run of the system is done for removing the bugs. The output of the test run should match the expected results.
Implementation
After having the user acceptance of the new system developed, the implementation phase begins. Implementation is the stage of a project during which theory is turned into practice.
The hardware and the relevant software required for running the system must be made fully operational before implementation. The conversion is also one of the most critical and expensive activities in the system development life cycle. The data from the old system needs to be converted to operate in the new format of the new system. During this phase, all the programs of the system are loaded onto the user’s computer. After loading the system, training of the user starts. After the users are trained about the computerized system, working has to shift from manual to computerized working. The process is called ‘Changeover’.
The documentation of the system is also one of the most important activity in the system development life cycle. The user documentation is a complete description of the system from the users point of view detailing how to use or operate the system. The system documentation contains the details of system design, programs, their coding, system flow, data dictionary, process description, etc. This helps to understand the system and permit changes to be made in the existing system to satisfy new user needs.
Maintenance
Maintenance is necessary to eliminate errors in the system during its working life and to tune the system to any variations in its working environments. It has been seen that there are always some errors found in the systems that must be noted and corrected. It also means the review of the system from time to time. If a major change to a system is needed, a new project may have to be set up to carry out the change. The new project will then proceed through all the above life cycle phases.
| VOCABULARY IN USE |
| 15. Replace the italicized words with the equivalents from the box. |
| reexamination study repetitive bugs correspond to possible applied |
1. The detailed investigation of the system is carried out in accordance with the objectives of the proposed system.
2. Systems analysis is an iterative process that continues until a preferred and acceptable solution emerges.
3. The output of the test run should match the expected results.
4. It has been seen that there are always some errors found in the systems that must be noted and corrected.
5. It also means the review of the system from time to time.
6. The system design needs to be implemented to make it a workable system.
7. Systems analysis is a process of collecting factual data, understand the processes involved, identifying problems and recommending feasible suggestions for improving the system functioning.
| 16. Complete with the word combinations from the box. |
| the system functioning computer instructions the expected results to satisfy new user needs the cost effectiveness removing the bugs coordinate the data movements |
1. The feasibility study is basically the test of the proposed system in the light of its workability, meeting user’s requirements, effective use of resources and _____________________ .
2. Systems analysis is a process of collecting factual data, understand the processes involved, identifying problems and recommending feasible suggestions for improving _____________________.
3. This is also called the programming phase in which the programmer converts the program specifications into__________________ , which we refer to as programs.
4. The programs ______________________ and control the entire process in a system.
5. Before actually implementing the new system into operation, a test run of the system is done for _______________________.
6. The output of the test run should match ________________________ .
7. This helps to understand the system and permit changes to be made in the existing system __________________________________ .
| 17 . Chose the right preposition. |
| into by on from with of for into of through |
1. The system proposal is prepared ____ the System Analyst.
2. The detailed investigation of the system is carried out in accordance ______ the objectives of the proposed system.
3. Interviews, on-site observation and questionnaire are the tools used _____ detailed system study.
4. Based ______ the user requirements and the detailed analysis of the existing system, the new system must be designed.
5. This demands the coding of design ______ computer understandable language.
6. After having the user acceptance ______ the new system developed, the implementation phase begins.
7. Implementation is the stage of a project during which theory is turned ______ practice.
8. The data ______ the old system needs to be converted to operate in the new format of the new system.
9. The new project will then proceed ______ all the above life cycle phases.
10. The documentation of the system is also one ______ the most important activity in the system development life cycle.
| COMPREHENSION CHECK |
| 17. Decide whether the following statements are true or false (T/F) by referring to the information in the text. Then make the necessary changes so that the false statements become true. |
OMCOMPREHENSION CHECK
1. Preliminary system study is the last stage of system development life cycle.
2. The detailed system study involves the preparation of a ‘System Proposal’
3. The detailed investigation of the system is carried out in accordance with the objectives of the proposed system.
4. Interviews, on-site observation and questionnaire are the tools used for testing.
5. Based on the user requirements and the detailed analysis of the existing system, the new system must be designed.
6. The hardware coordinates the data movements and controls the entire process in a system.
7. The output of the test run should match the expected results.
8. Coding is the stage of a project during which theory is turned into practice.
9. During the Feasibility Study, all the programs of the system are loaded onto the user’s computer.
10. After loading the system, training of the user finishes.
11. After the users are trained about the computerized system, working has to shift from manual to computerized working.
12. Maintenance is necessary to eliminate errors in the system during the system design.
| 18. Answer the questions. |
1. What is System life cycle?
2. Who prepares the system proposal?
3. What are the tools used for detailed system study?
4. Is Systems analysis an iterative process?
5. What is done during the Preliminary or General Design?
6. When do we move to the detailed design stage?
7. What is done during the Structured or Detailed Design?
8. What is done in the design stage?
9. What is the programming phase?
10. What do the programs do?
11. What is a test run of the system done for?
12. What is the conversion?
13. When does training of the user start?
14. What is ‘Changeover’?
15. What is the user documentation? What does it contain?
16. Why is Maintenance necessary?
| SPECIALIST READING | TEXT B |