The systems life cycle: analysis Cambridge IGCSE Information & Communication Technology revision
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In plain words
When an organisation wants a new computer system, it does not start by buying computers. It starts by finding out exactly how things are done now, and what is wrong with it. That first stage is analysis.
7 things to know
- The systems life cycle has six stages: analysis, design, development and testing, implementation, documentation, and evaluation.
- In analysis, the current system is researched in four ways.
- Observation: watching people work. It shows what really happens, but people may behave differently when watched.
- Interviews: talking to staff one at a time. Detailed answers can be followed up, but it takes a long time and people may not be honest.
- Questionnaires: written questions for many people. They are quick and cheap, and can be anonymous, but answers are short and cannot be followed up.
- Examining existing documents: forms, reports and invoices. It shows what data is used, but takes time and the documents may be out of date.
- The analyst then identifies the inputs, processing and outputs of the current system, its problems, and what the users need from the new one. This leads to a system specification, with suitable hardware and software chosen and justified.
Worked example
An analyst needs the views of all 400 staff in a company within a week. Which research method is most suitable?
- Interviewing 400 people would take far too long, and so would observing them.
- A questionnaire can be sent to everyone at once and the answers collected quickly.
- The answers are easy to count and compare. It can also be anonymous, so staff may be more honest.
Tips and tricks
- For each method, learn one advantage and one disadvantage. Questions nearly always ask for both.
- Match the method to the situation: many people, questionnaire; detailed opinions from a few, interviews; how the job is really done, observation.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
The systems life cycle: analysis: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
What is the first stage of the systems life cycle?
The current system is studied first.
Which research method involves watching people at work?
The analyst sees what really happens.
Which is an advantage of a questionnaire?
It can be sent to everyone at once.
Which is a disadvantage of interviews?
Each person is seen separately.
Which is a disadvantage of observation?
The analyst may not see normal behaviour.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
2 questions, 6 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
The systems life cycle: analysis
Cambridge IGCSE Information & Communication Technology 0417 · 6 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using interviews, and one advantage and one disadvantage of using questionnaires, to research a current system.[4]
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Interviews: detailed answers can be obtained and followed up, but they take a long time. Questionnaires: many people can be asked quickly, but the answers cannot be followed up.
State two things an analyst must identify about the current system.[2]
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Its inputs, processing and outputs. The problems with it. (Also: the users' requirements for the new system.)
Answers: The systems life cycle: analysis
- 1. Interviews: detailed answers can be obtained and followed up, but they take a long time. Questionnaires: many people can be asked quickly, but the answers cannot be followed up.
- 2. Its inputs, processing and outputs. The problems with it. (Also: the users' requirements for the new system.)