NCC INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER STUDIES BUSINESS SYSTEMS DESIGN JUNE 2002

MARKING SCHEME
Markers are advised that many answers in Marking Schemes are examples only of what we might expect from candidates. Unless a question specifically states that an answer is demanded in a particular form, then an answer, which is, correct, factually or in computing practice, must be given the available marks. Not all schools, regrettably, use the NCC texts as standard and answers, which do not give our standard textbook reply, must nevertheless be marked entirely on their merits. If there is doubt as to the correctness of an answer the relevant NCC textbook should be the first authority. If doubt persists the scripts should be referred to the Examiner and, if necessary to the Moderator, for a second marking. This Marking Scheme has been prepared as a guide to markers. It does indicate what the examiner was expecting candidates to produce in response to the question set and some questions in some units will only have one correct solution. However this is ABSOLUTELY NOT a set of model answers; NOR is the Marking Scheme exclusive, for there will frequently be alternative responses which will provide a valid answer. So in distributing the Marking Scheme to Centres, the Board is trying to help teachers in their work of preparing candidates for examination.

Business Systems Design

HW

June 2002

13/05/02

Final

NCC Education Ltd 2002

QUESTION 1 a) A video rental shop intends to keep its customer membership details on a computer. Design a suitable input screen to capture all the relevant details for new customers who are applying for membership. The design should be based on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) such as Windows and needs to include basic customer details such as, name, address, age, sex, telephone number, etc. Use appropriately sized fields, drop down lists and suitable check boxes where applicable. The membership number should be unique and will be generated automatically by the system. Note that this screen will be used by novice computer users. Overall design and layout with good spacing, field labelling, appropriate font sizes and clarity. [5] Appropriate fields for the capture of ALL relevant data. [5] Appropriate navigation functions (save, next, update, quit, etc.) [3] Correct use of language without abbreviations or slang. [2] User friendly design suitable for novices. [2] Good use of drop down lists or check boxes. [3] Textbook references Chapter 5 pages 63 to 84.

Marks 20

Total 20 Marks

Business Systems Design

HW

June 2002

13/05/02

Final

NCC Education Ltd 2002

QUESTION 2 a) Produce a clearly labelled diagram which illustrates the initial stages of the Structured Design process. The diagram should include the following: Level 1 - Inputs to initiate the design process ELHs, DFDs, Mini-specs, ERD and access paths, System objectives. [5] Level 2 Design Initial Program box. [1] Level 3 box showing the addition of more design considerations. [1] Level 4 Evaluate and Improve Design box with indication of iteration back through Level 3. [3] Description of factors influencing Level 2 to 3 progression. [1] Description of factors influencing Level 3 to 4 progression. [1] Textbook references Chapter 9 pages 152 to 153. b) Describe the FOUR main methods of program/program suite design used to prevent expensive system maintenance and/or flexible systems which are easier to maintain. Allocate marks for each correct method with a brief description as follows: Top-down: Hierarchy of modules, each with single entry and a single exit. [2] Small modules: Easy to find errors, if too small = too many. [2] Black-box approach: Easy to read, input determine output, no need to understand code in module. [2] Isolation of functions: One function per module, easy to test and maintain. [2] Textbook references Chapter 3 pages 23 to 25.

Marks 12

Total 20 Marks

Business Systems Design

HW

June 2002

13/05/02

Final

NCC Education Ltd 2002

Marks QUESTION 3 a) List and describe EIGHT important parameters, or factors, that need to be considered when designing files. Credit any of the following answers with 2 marks each: Purpose of the file: Application type, On-line etc. Availability of hardware: Existing configuration? Access method: On-line, queries, updates? File activity: Records accessed per process? File volatility: Records added and deleted from file? File size: Large/small, access speed? Output requirements: Different processing, different versions. File requirements: On-line/batch? Sorting of files: Split files, set indexes? Cost: Extra storage to file, more hardware costs. File handling software: Characteristics of software? 16

Textbook references Chapter 7 pages 107 to 111. b) Name FOUR categories, or types, of files. Credit any of the following answers with 1 mark each: Master Transaction Work Security Audit Document Textbook references Chapter 3 pages 105 to 107. Total 20 Marks 4

Business Systems Design

HW

June 2002

13/05/02

Final

NCC Education Ltd 2002

QUESTION 4 a) Describe in detail FIVE types of media which can be used for forms. Credit any of the following answers with 2 marks each: - Paper by far the most common, cheap, easy to use, widely available. - Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) most common type of computer display screen, fairly cheap, reliable, generally widely available. - Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) used for mobile devices, such as portable computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), mobile (cellular) phones, fairly expensive but quite common. - Thin Film Transistor (TFT) very expensive and not very common, high quality and relatively light compared with CRT. - Microfilm or Microfiche quite unusual and requires special equipment in order to view, useful were large amounts of data need to be stored and retrieved. - Wallboard or whiteboard rarely used for forms but useful in respect that it can be easily erased. - Plastic sheet rarely used but has the advantage that it can be used to overlay a paper form. Textbook references Chapter 6 pages 85 to 87. b) Your company has decided to have some sales order forms printed. List and describe FIVE of the main considerations when requesting such a form to be produced by an external printer. Credit any of the following answers with 2 marks each: - Paper size - Paper quality or weight - Single or double sided printing - Serial numbering - Use of lines and boxes - Type faces - Type sizes - Colour - Order Quantity Textbook references Chapter 6 pages 95 to 99.

Marks 10

10

Total 20 Marks

Business Systems Design

HW

June 2002

13/05/02

Final

NCC Education Ltd 2002

QUESTION 5 a) List and describe FIVE factors that can have an affect on the efficiency of a clerical procedure. Credit any of the following answers with 2 marks each: - Form Design a good form design is easy to complete, interpret, file and retrieve. - Office layout and environment can affect staff performance. - Procedure Sequence can affect the efficiency by documents moving backwards and forwards unnecessarily. - Efficient Filing enables staff to find information quickly and easily. - Interruptions other activities such as answering the telephone can cause a break in the processing of information. - Delays hold ups further up the processing chain can slow things down. Textbook references Chapter 11 pages 185 to 186. b) Produce a clearly labelled diagram which illustrates the principle of the V-Model of system testing. The diagram should show the correspondences between activities on the left and right hand sides of the V with lines across the middle of the V, showing the test levels from component testing at the bottom, integration and system testing, and acceptance testing at the top level. Textbook references Chapter 11 pages 193 to 195.

Marks 10

10

Total 20 Marks

Business Systems Design

HW

June 2002

13/05/02

Final

NCC Education Ltd 2002

Marks QUESTION 6 a) Coding systems are frequently used to enable the identification and retrieval of information. State FOUR common types of codes and explain the purpose of EACH type. Credit any of the following answers with 2 marks each: - Customer Number generally a unique customer identification code. - Membership Number similar to a customer code and used for unique identification. - Product Number frequently called a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) used to lookup items on a Point or Sale (PoS) system. - Complaint Type used to signify a particular type of complain rather than having to enter a lot of detailed information. - Invoice Number used to identify individual invoices. Generally a unique sequence number. Textbook references Chapter 8 pages 129 to 130. b) Briefly explain the differences between non-significant and significant codes. The characteristics of a significant code is that it is meaningful. It gives information about the thing being coded and may be mnemonic. The characteristics of a non-significant code is that it is purely a label and does not describe the thing being coded. It contains no information from which the object being coded can be identified. Textbook references Chapter 8 pages 130 to 137. Total 20 Marks 12 8

Business Systems Design

HW

June 2002

13/05/02

Final

NCC Education Ltd 2002