ACTIVITY 2A: Problem Solving Methods

Duration: 2 Hours

Learning Outcomes
This lab activity encompasses activities 2A.1, 2A.2, 2A.3, 2A.4, 2A.5 and 2A.6

By the end of this practical session, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the understanding of Programming Life Cycle (PLC).
2. Relate the PLC with the life cycle of a Software Project.

CASE STUDY

Infinity Design Solution Sdn. Bhd, an advertising company wants to automate the system of managing Human
Resources (HR) data. Cik Suria was selected to be an IT programmer for Infinity Design Solution. En.
Mohamed insist to develop a system to manage staff payroll. Cik Suria has to prepare a proposal for payroll
system.

INSTRUCTION:
1. You have been assigned to help Cik Suria to prepare a proposal which include:
 Decide a proper title for the system
 Elaborate a system introduction
 State the problem statements
 Identify an objective
 Explain the phases in Programming Life Cycle (PLC) with examples.
a. Specify the problem
b. Analyze the problem
c. Design the algorithm to solve the problem
d. Implement the algorithm
e. Test and verify the completed program
f. Maintain and update the program
g. Documentation

manage staff payroll

Case Scenario (proposal)

Activity 2A.1
Activity Outcome: Decide a proper title for the system Duration :
10 minutes

Title/ System name: STAFF PAYROLL MANAGEMENT

Activity 2A.2
Activity Outcome: Elaborate a system introduction Duration : 20
minutes

System introduction:
It is basically a system that calculates the salaries of staff per month, record salary
transactions and determine and pay salary taxes. This system must be able to track
information and calculate salaries for employee.

Activity 2A.3
Activity Outcome: State the problem statements
Duration : 20 minutes

Problem statements:

1. The Payroll Administrator maintains employee information.  The Payroll Administrator is responsible for adding
new employees, deleting employees and changing all employee information.

2. This system will calculating

salary of each employees based
on their work time.
3. Employees can choose their
method of payment either they
want online banking or on cash

Activity 2A.4
Activity Outcome: Identify an objective
Duration : 20 minutes

Objectives:

1. To make it simple and

improve efficiency of
company’s administration.
2. To store information of
company employees up to
date such as name and
3. Employee address
can easily check their montly salary and put some feedback through online
support.
Activity 2A.5
Activity Outcome: Explain the phases in Programming Life Cycle (PLC) with examples. Duration : 25
minutes

Cik Suria asks you to prepare the planning for system development. You have to study the phases and activities
involves in program life cycle. Define the phase definition below to match the Description with its appropriate
Phase by using line in the space provided.

No Description No Phase
Run the program several times using different sets of 7
1 data Implementation

Process of modifying a software system or 2

component after delivery to correct faults, improve
2 performance or adapt to a changed environment Documentation

Identify the input, process and output of the problem 5

3 Specify the problem

Determine the required form and units in which the 6

4 results should be displayed Design the algorithm

To build a code base on the algorithm being design 1

Verification and
5
Testing
Develop a list of steps called an algorithm to solve 3
6 the problem Analyzing

A written or graphical report of the steps taken during 4

Maintenance and
7 the development of a program
update
 manage staff payroll
Case Scenario (program life cycle)

Activity 2A.6
Activity Outcome: Relate the PLC with the life cycle of a Software
Project. Duration : 25 minutes

Based on scenario below, plan phase and activity that involved in Software Development
Method.

PAYROLL SYSTEM
1. Infinity Design Solution Sdn. Bhd. stores the data for employee payroll
in file system. The calculations for payroll are done manually by the
clerk.
2. IT Department want to automate the process of payroll calculation by
develop a small application.
3. Programmer will save all data in the database and test whether the system can
calculate the payroll for the employees automatically.
4. Then, the new systems will be tested. The net salary for the employees
will be display and function well
5. All data in file system will transfer into computerized system for easy
searching and data updating.

No Phase Activities
Define the problem or error that cause in a system
Specify the problem
1

Analyzing the needs of the end users to ensure the new system
Analyzing can meet their expectations.
2

The design of the software can be established in a software

Design the algorithm design document. This involves a preliminary or high-level
3
design of the main modules with an overall picture of how the
parts fit together. Then a detailed or low-level design is
created, perhaps with prototyping as proof-of-concept or to
firm up requirement
Implementation is the part of the process where software
Implementation engineers actually program the code for payroll system.
4

Testing process will be done to ensure that defects are

Verification and Testing recognized as soon as possible. Tests may be developed just
5
before implementation and serve as a guide for the
implementation's correctness.
Once when the customers starts using the developed system
Maintenance and update then the actual problems comes up and needs to be solved
6
from time to time. This process where the care is taken for the
developed product is known as maintenance and update.
Documenting the internal design of software for the purpose
Documentation of future maintenance and enhancement is done throughout
7
development