System Design

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 System design is not easy
Nine (09) Broad  Skill and experience: Creative
Steps of System elements are there
Cannot be taught….! Learned
Analysis 
process
 Conscious and Unconscious
Step Five design principals are followed
by the designers to achieve a
Design successful system Design
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What do we Do ? System Design Principles [13] System Design Principles [13]

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What System Vs How the System ----
1. Data should be entered


Agreed Definition of system objectives to 3. Computer systems should


detailed system design which is to be into the system once and be fully integrated into
implemented only once general work procedures
Entire system to be defined in terms of : 2. Data should be captured
[ Number, Position and

Information Flow, Data volumes, Screen as close to the source as
Layouts, Printed output design, procedures possible [ Captured as a accessibility of terminals
for computer operations, program by product of the process : detailed aspect of
specifications.
creates that data : Avoids design]
 End of Day : Revised estimate of the delays and Introduction
operational cost of system + Revised plan
for Implementation
of errors
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System Design Principles [13] System Design Principles [13] System Design Principles [13]
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4. The Design should be user friendly 5. Each Single element of data 7. Data should be
Man machine interface – easy use
Screen displays –
should be part of the available to everyone
coherent data base :
user vs machine dialog should be Consistent  Limits data redundancy and
“with a need to know”
:
eliminates problem of same
 same layout
data derived from different
 move about without getting lost
 Minimize key in sources  Freely available to all
 use menus: users whose work
 No complex code:
 provide help information: Online :
 Avoid ill- thought-out needs it : “Complete
collection of files or a data
Regular and Non regular user
transaction paths base design unrestricted access”
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System Design Principles [13]

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6. Data should be structured
to facilitate efficient
retrieval :
 Response to adhoc enquires
 Also should facilitate
answering questions and
queries which were either
not considered when
structuring the database

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System Design Principles [13]
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8. System should be designed for
maximum flexibility :
 It can be changed and it will be
changed
 User Dept Declares “needs never
change” : But fails to survive the
first month of operation:
 Provide a Most Flexible Design
 Modular design – redeveloped without
complete rework
 Keep Data storage and processing
separate : Enables data changes
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System Design Principles [13]
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9. Systems should be designed
to facilitate maintenance
 Maintenance is inevitable
 Eg Legislative changes to tax in
payroll
 Eliminate bugs in original
system
 Minor changes to facilitate
changed user needs
 Good documentation –
Requirement for easy
maintenance
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System Design Principles [13]
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10.Systems performance should 17
be satisfactory for the users
 Inadequate hardware
 Communication links
 Inefficient software
 Slow response times
 3 second / 10 second / 5 minutes
 Poor response times
will have a severe negative
impact on acceptance of the
entire system by the user
community
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System Design Principles [13] System Design Principles [13]
11. The ability to perform each 16 12. Back up Recovery procedures: 18
transaction and access to all data Restore Acceptable time limits
should be controlled by security
measure, and it must be possible  Needs to be well
to trace the execution of each documented and staff
transactions trained
 Manipulate data – Main Issue??
 Access to the system and data accessed
 System Crash could be
should be protected due to
 Internal Controls : Accidental and  External factors : Fire, Food,
deliberate threats : Internal dept. Manager accidents, acts of terrorism,
and staff holds responsibility
 External risk : Total security is never
other disasters
achievable: Insurance : contingency plans  They come at the most
in the event of a security breach important, busiest time of
Data Access and  Security Measures : Physical / Systems the day
control / Audit and legislative controls :
Security Depends on the systems sensitivity
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System Design Principles [13]
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13. System output should be provided
directly to the person requiring it in
a format suited to his / her needs
 VDU / Hardcopy
 To the direct user – not through
supervisory staff [ Delay]
 Should be part of the regular work
schedule
 Format should be what the recipient
needs
 To meet specific requirements [Avoid
inches thick computer prints. or
hunts within the report to find
required data ]

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5 – Design

Questions ?

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