SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE.

• The five steps of the cycle are based on the stages of

the systems approach.
 System
Investigati
on
Product

System
Analysis
Product
functional
requirements

System
design
Product
system
specification

System
Implementa
tion
Product

System
Maintenanc
e
Product
Improved
system
 STARTING THE SYSTEMS
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
A. SYSTEMS INVESTIGATION
• Determine whether a business problem or opportunity
exists.
• Conduct a feasibility study to determine whether a new
or improved information system is a feasible solution.
FEASIBILITY STUDY
• A Feasibility study is a preliminary study which investigates
the information needs of prospective users and determines the
resource requirements, costs, benefits and feasibility of a proposed
project.
• The findings of this study are to be formalized in a written
report that also includes developmental plan for the proposed
systems.

• The development process can only continue if the

management approves the recommendations of the feasibility study.

• The goal of the feasibility study is to evaluate alternative

systems and to propose the most feasible and desirable systems for
development.

• Feasibility studies typically involve the cost/benefits

analysis

The feasibility of a proposed system can be evaluated in

terms of four major categories:
(a) Organizational Feasibility
Its focus is on how well a proposed information system supports
the objectives of the Organization and its strategic plan for
information systems.
(b) Economic Feasibility
 It is concerned with whether expected cost savings, increased
revenue, increased profits, reductions in required investments
and other types of benefits will exceed the costs of developing
and operating a proposed system.

(c) Technical Feasibility

It can be demonstrated if reliable hardware and software
capable of meeting the needs of a proposed system can be
acquired or developed by the business in the required
time.
(d) Operational feasibility
It is the willingness and ability of the management,
employees customers, suppliers and others to operative
use and support a proposed system.

B. SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
• It is an in-depth study of the end user information
needs that produces functional requirements that are used
as the basis for the design of a new information system.
• Training, experience and common sense are required
for collection of the information needed to do the analysis.
System Analysis involves a detailed study of :-
(a) The information needs of the organization and the end
users.
(b) The activities resources and products of any present
information systems.
(c) The information system capabilities required to meet
your information needs and those of end users.

(d) The product of the activity of Systems Analysis is the development of

Functional Requirements which are as specified below:-
 • User interface Requirements

• Processing Requirements

• Storage Requirements

• Control Requirements.
C.SYSTEMS DESIGN

SYSTEMS DESIGN
USER DATA PROCESS
INTERFACE
Screen, Form, DESIGN DESIGN
Program and
Data Element
ReportDESIGN
and Dialog Procedure
Structure Design
Design Design
• Systems analysis describes what a system should do to meet
the information needs of the users.
• Systems design specifies how the system will accomplish this
objective.
• Systems design consists of design activities that produce
system specifications satisfying the functional requirements
developed in the systems analysis stage.
• System Design can be viewed as the design of user interfaces,
data and processes.
A) USER INTERFACE DESIGN
(a) This design activity focuses on supporting the
interactions between the end users and their computer
based applications.
(b) Designers concentrate on the design of attractive and
efficient forms of user input and output.
(c) The design should be simple, clean and organized
logically.
B)DATA DESIGN
(a) The data design activity focuses on the design of the structure of
databases and files to be used by a proposed information
systems.
(b) The product of data design is detailed description of:-
• Entities.
• Attributes
• Relationships
• Specific Data Elements.
• Integrity Rules.
C) PROCESS DESIGN
(a) Focuses on the design of software resources, that is the programs
and procedures needed by the proposed information system.
(b) Software process design expressed as a “three tier architecture”
of processing services:
• User Services
• Application Services.
• Data services.
The final system design must specify the type of hardware
resources, software resources, network resources and people
resources that will be needed. These specifications are the final
product of the Systems design stage
D. IMPLEMENTING A NEW INFORMATION
SYSTEM
• Once a new information system has been designed it must be
implemented.
 • Systems implementation stage involves hardware and software
acquisition development, testing of programs and procedures,
development of documentation and other installation activities.
• It also involves the training and education of the end users
and specialists who will operate a new system.

E. MAINTENANCE OF INFORMATION SYSTEM

 Systems maintenance is the final stage of SDLC.
 It involves the monitoring evaluation and modification
of a system to make desirable or necessary improvements.
 It also includes a post Implementation Review process
to ensure that the newly implemented systems is meeting
the functional business requirements.

IMPLEMENTATION

IMPLEMENTATIO
N
ACTIVITIES

Conv
Modify
System -Pa
Acquisition of /Develop
End user training Documentatio -Pi
HW/SW Software
n -Ph
-Pl
• Implementation is a vital step in ensuring
the success of new systems.
• A well designed system can fail if it is not
properly implemented.

• The implementation process for newly designed

information systems involves a variety of activites:
 ACQUISITION
 TESTING
 DOCUMENTATION
 INSTALLATION
 CONVERSION
 TRAINING
A)ACQUISITION
Acquiring Hardware , Software & Services

• These resources can be acquired from many sources in the computer

industry.
• These can be mainframe , midrange, microcomputer, software , services
and data communications companies.
• Hardware and software suppliers
Computers hardware & software can be purchased at substantial discounts
under various purchase plans .
• Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMs) produce and sell computers by
assembling components produced by other hardware suppliers

Suppliers Of IS Services
• Major sources of information system services are
computer manufactures , retailers , computers services
center , system integrators etc
• Systems integrators take over complete responsibility
for an organization’s computer facilities when an
organization outsource its computer operations
EVALUATION
Evaluating hardware , software and services
computers using organization following set
procedure in order to evaluate and select hardware
and software

 They require suppliers to present bid and proposal based on

system specifications.
 Minimum acceptable physical and performance characteristics
for all hardware and software requirements are established.
 Business firms and government agencies formalize these
requirements by listing them in a document called RFP (Request
for proposal ) or RFQ (Request for quotation)
Hardware Evaluation Factors
Specific physical and performance characteristic for each
hardware component that is to be acquired should be
investigated during Evaluation
 Performance
 Cost
 Reliability
 Availability
 Compatibility

Software evaluation factor

• Efficiency
• Flexibility
• Security
• Connectivity
• Language
• Documentation
• Hardware
• Overall Rating
• Other factors
(Performance , Cost, Reliability etc.)

Evaluating IS Services
Evaluation factor
 Performance
 System development
 Maintenance
 Conversion
 Training
 Backup
 Accessibility
 Business position
 Hardware
 Software
 Overall Rating

b)Testing
• Is one of the keys to successful implementation of new system.
• System testing involves testing hardware devices testing and
debugging computer programs
• Program testing usually proceeds from higher to lower levels of
program modules until the entire program is tested as a unit
• Testing should not only occur during implementation stage but
throughout the development process
 TESTING
SYSTEM TESTING PROCESS

INTEGERATION
TESTING

UNIT TESTING
Types of Testing
• White Box Testing

• Black Box Testing

c)Training

• Is a vital implementation activity

• End users should be trained to operate a new system
• Training involves almost all aspects of the proper use of a new
system
• Managers and end user must be educated in how the new
technology impact company business operations and management
• Training programs should be well designed conducted
frequently

d)Conversion
FOUR MAJOR FORMS OF
CONVERSION
OLD SYSTEM PARALLEL
NEW SYSTEM

OLD NEW PILOT

SYSTEM SYSTEM

OLD NEW PHASED

SYSTEM SYSTEM

OLD NEW
SYSTEM SYSTEM
PLUNGE
• Initial operation of a new computer based system can
be a difficult task such operation is usually a CONVERSION
PROCESS in which the personnel procedures, equipment,
input / output media and database of an old Information
system must be converted to the requirement of a new
system.
FORMS OF SYSTEM CONVERSION
• FORMS OF SYSTEM CONVERSION
a) Parallel conversion
b) Phased Conversion
c) Pilot conversion
d) Plunge or Direct Cutover

FOUR MAJOR FORMS OF CONVERSION

e)Documentation
• Another key to successful implementation
• Serves as a method of communication among people
responsible for developing, implementing & maintaining system
• Extremely important in diagnosing errors and making changes
• Examples include:
1) Manuals of operating procedure
2) Display screen
3) Forms
4) Reports