SYSTEM ANALYSES & DECISION THEORY

UNIT 3 SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE

UNIT3 SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE

If your system does 25 other things, but it doesn't do what it's supposed to, it's a failure.

LEAD IN

1. These are phases of system development life cycle. Put them in the right order.  Match these phases and the key activities.

PHASES: PRODUCTION ANALISYS IMPLEMENTATION TESTING DOCUMENTATION DESIGN EVALUATION RESEARCH

KEY ACTIVITIES: Collecting information about the present system works Creating the new system from the design. Coming up with a new system that will fix the present systems problems Checking if the newly created system works as expected Replacing the present system with the new system Examining out how the present system works and identifying problems with it Checking that the new system meets all expectations Creating documents that describe how to use the new systems, and how it works

PRONONCIATION

2. Make sure you pronounce the following words properly:

maintain  [meɪn'teɪn] various ['veərɪəs] preliminary  [prɪ'lɪmɪnrɪ] feasibility [̗fi:zə'bɪlətɪ]  requirement  [rɪ'kwaɪ əmənt] emerge  [ɪ'mɜ:dʒ]

questionnaire [̗kwestə'neə]  ensure [ɪn'ʃuə] scheme  [ski:m] implementation  [̗ɪmplɪmen'teɪʃn] conversion  [kən'vɜ:ʃn]

3.

_ _ _ t _ _ _		[ɪ'nɪʃl]
_ _ r _ _		['erə]
_ _ ct _ _ _		['fæktʃυǝl]
_ _ _ _ t _ _ _ s _ _ _		[rɪ'leɪʃnʃɪp]
_ _ s _ r _ _ _ _ _ _		[̗ɒbzə'veɪʃn]
_ _ c _ _ _ _ _ c _		[ə'kɔ:dǝns]
_ e _ _ u _ _ _ _		[rɪ'zɔ:sis]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ g _ _ _ _ _		[ɪn̗vestɪ'ɡeɪʃn]
_ _ _ _ i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _		[̗spesəfɪ'keɪʃn]
_ _ _ _ y _ _ _		[ə'næləsɪs]
_ _ a _ _ _ _		['ænəlɪst]
e _ _ _ r _		[ɪn'taɪə]
WORD STUDY	THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WILL HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE TEXT

4. Can you guess the meaning of each term from the context? Try to match each term with its definition.

1. He examined the feasibility of the plan. Before we adopt a plan, let us consider its feasibility.

2. The company is undergoing a conversion to a new computer system.

3. The initial response to the TV advertising has been very good.

4. The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), is the process of creating or altering systems, and the models and methodologies that people use to develop these systems.

5. It is an iterative process, by which we constantly improve the program over time. 

6. Databases are structured to facilitate storage, retrieval, modification, and deletion of data in conjunction with various data-processing operations.

7. Computer operation requires both hardware and software. Hardware design specifies a computer's capability; software instructs the computer on what to do.

8. The region's changeover from an agricultural economy to one based on manufacturing.

9. I'd like to have a house built to my specifications.

10. The city council is accepting proposals for ways to use that land. The details included in a proposal depend on the project's scope and who will read the document.

11. The software was full of bugs. Bugs arise from mistakes made by humans in designing programs and writing their source code.

12. The government promised to implement a new system to control loan institutions.

feasibility conversion initial life cycle iterative database hardware software changeover specification proposal bug implement continuity

The determination as to whether the assigned tasks could be accomplished by using available resources. Change in character, form, or function. Of or relating to the beginning coming before all others in time or order A progression through a series of differing stages of development. Situation in which a sequence of instructions can be executed multiple times or until a specific result is achieved. Collection of data or information organized for rapid search and retrieval, especially by a computer.  The physical machinery and devices that make up a computer system. The programs and instructions used to run the system. The time when a new system has been tested successfully and replaces the old system. A detailed, exact statement of particulars, especially a statement prescribing materials, dimensions, and quality of work for something to be built, installed, or manufactured. A plan that is proposed. A document that offers a solution to a problem or a course of action in response to a need. An error or flaw in a computer program that may prevent it from working correctly or produce an incorrect or unintended result. To give practical effect to and ensure of actual fulfillment by concrete measures Uninterrupted duration or continuation especially without essential change

5. Match the following words and word combinations with their equivalents in Russian.

system life cycle the feasibility study on-site observation preliminary system study maintenance system design system Proposal iterative process computerized system data dictionary cost effectiveness	словарь данных полевое наблюдение проект системы изучение осуществимости жизненный цикл системы проектирование системы сопровождение повторяющийся процесс автоматизированная система эффективность затрат предварительное изучение системы
6. Match the following words with their synonyms.

iterative initial feasibility investigation proceed conversion bug design implement correspond train maintain review evaluate

apply possibility progress support repetitive estimate changeover reexamination early study error match project teach

7. Match the words to make word combinations.

user on-site detailed programming computer expected system cost

effectiveness functioning language instructions requirements results observation analysis

control coordinate remove match turn load train satisfy proceed correct

the expected results through phases the entire process the data movements the bugs new user needs errors programs users theory into practice

8. Word search. Find 10 verbs. Horizontally & Vertically only.

t	e	s	t	p	x	t	u	n	e	x	f
e	t	t	g	r	d	e	s	i	g	n	e
a	x	s	s	o	c	v	e	d	d	r	c
a	w	w	g	p	r	r	u	n	c	b	r
i	m	p	r	o	v	e	m	p	u	n	e
j	e	h	g	s	h	s	t	u	d	y	a
z	q	o	p	e	r	a	t	e	d	l	t
i	n	v	e	s	t	i	g	a	t	e	e
z	m	a	i	n	t	a	i	n	e	f	d

WORD BUILDING

9. Complete the chart.

verb	noun	adjective
	acceptance
	preparation
design
	observation
		iterative
	analysis
implement
		workable
		understandable
	maintenance

GRAMMAR FOCUS

Gerund (§3)

10. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the functions of the Gerund.

1. Collecting data into a form that is ready for input to a computer system can be done in many ways.

2. Entering data into two systems, and running two systems together, takes a lot of extra time and effort.

3. Finally, we conclude by presenting an analytical and graphical representation of a system.

4. As an abstraction we symbolically represent a system as a simple entity by using a rectangular box.

5. Engineering students often graduate without being introduced to the root term that provides the basis for their formal education.

6. The success of man-made systems in achieving success within an organization is determined by how well the system is specified, designed, developed, integrated, verified, validated, operated, and supported.

7. A system, product, or service must be capable of supporting User missions to a level of performance that makes it operationally effective in terms of accomplishing organizational goals and objectives, namely outcomes, cost, schedule, and risk.

8. System effectiveness requires understanding the contributory factors such as reliability, maintainability, and performance.

9. If your employer is pleased with your performance on the job, he/she will give you positive feedback by telling you that you are doing well.

10. By asking for help or by showing that you are making an honest attempt to improve your work, you will show your employer that you want to keep your job and that you are cooperating.

11. Choosing an appropriate life cycle methodology is not always an easy task.

12. Understanding the software process and making tradeoffs among life cycle components is crucially important for producing high quality software, on time, within budget.

13. Finding the right users, ensuring their availability, and coordinating their input is not a simple task.

14. The following factors should be considered when defining a life cycle management method.

15. Choosing the right life cycle management methodology depends on the nature of your program’s operational environment, stability of requirements and technology.

16. One can think of the systems approach as an organized way of dealing with a problem.

17. The objective of the system demands that some output is produced as a result of processing the suitable inputs.

18. Theory is a map for observing a phenomenon.

19. System life cycle is an organizational process of developing and maintaining systems.

20. Systems analysis is a process of collecting factual data, understand the processes involved, identifying problems and recommending feasible suggestions for improving the system functioning.

21. The costs of implementing these features and the benefits to be derived are estimated.

22. Before actually implementing the new system into operation, a test run of the system is done for removing the bugs.

23. After having the user acceptance of the new system developed, the implementation phase begins.

24. The hardware and the relevant software required for running the system must be made fully operational before implementation.

25. After loading the system, training of the user starts.

SPECIALIST READING

TEXT A

SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE

System life cycle is an organizational process of developing and maintaining systems. Following are the different phases of system development life cycle:

Preliminary study Feasibility study Detailed system study System analysis System design

Coding Testing Implementation Maintenance

Preliminary System Study

Preliminary system study is the first stage of system development life cycle. The initial system study involves the preparation of a ‘System Proposal’ which lists the Problem Definition, Objectives of the Study, Terms of reference for Study, Constraints, Expected benefits of the new system, etc. in the light of the user requirements. The system proposal is prepared by the System Analyst.

Feasibility Study

The feasibility study is basically the test of the proposed system in the light of its workability, meeting user’s requirements, effective use of resources and the cost effectiveness.

Detailed System Study

The detailed investigation of the system is carried out in accordance with the objectives of the proposed system. This involves detailed study of various operations performed by a system and their relationships within and outside the system. Interviews, on-site observation and questionnaire are the tools used for detailed system study.

System Analysis

Systems analysis is a process of collecting factual data, understand the processes involved, identifying problems and recommending feasible suggestions for improving the system functioning. Systems analysis is an iterative process that continues until a preferred and acceptable solution emerges.

System Design

Based on the user requirements and the detailed analysis of the existing system, the new system must be designed. Normally, the design proceeds in two stages:

1. Preliminary or General Design: the features of the new system are specified. The costs of implementing these features and the benefits to be derived are estimated. If the project is still considered to be feasible, we move to the detailed design stage.

2. Structured or Detailed Design: the design of the system becomes more structured. Input, output, databases, forms, codification schemes and processing specifications are drawn up in detail. In the design stage, the programming language and the hardware and software platform in which the new system will run are also decided.

Coding

The system design needs to be implemented to make it a workable system. This demands the coding of design into computer understandable language, i.e., programming language. This is also called the programming phase in which the programmer converts the program specifications into computer instructions, which we refer to as programs. The programs coordinate the data movements and control the entire process in a system.