Chapter 1: Introduction to PSM

Question 1

What is the Purpose of the PSM?

Answer 1

To find a solution to an information problem that exists within an information system.

Question 2

Describe the Analysis stage

Answer 2

Where the information system is examined, to determine what problems may exist or how new elements are added.

Question 3

What activities does the Analysis stage involve?

Answer 3

Solution Requirements, Solution constraints, Solution scope

Question 4

Who are the stakeholders?

Answer 4

Anyone who has a valid connection or interest in the system or information problem

Question 5

Recall what an information system includes:

Answer 5

1. Data
2. Processes
3. People
4. Digital systems (software & hardware)

Question 6

How do you determine the solution requirements?

Answer 6

Using a range of tools to represent the information problem such as:
1. Context diagrams
2. Data flow diagrams (DFDs)
3. Use case diagrams (UCD)

Question 7

What is the difference between functional and non-functional requirements?

Answer 7

Simply put, functional requirements are what the solution is REQUIRED to actually DO. Whereas the non-functional requirements are just attributes of the solution.

Question 8

Give some examples of Non-functional solution requirements:

Answer 8

1. Maintainability
2. Usability
3. Reliability, Robustness
4. Portability
   Acronym (MURP)

Question 9

Reliable vs Robustness

Answer 9

If a software is reliable, it is CONSISTENT.
If a software is robust, it means it is capable of working under unexpected conditions/circumstances.

Question 9

What are the typical constraints in a solution?

Answer 9

1. Cost
2. Speed of processing
3. Security requirements
4. Capacity
5. Equipment availability
6. Legal requirements

Question 10

What is the scope?

Answer 10

The boundaries of a software solution, outlining what it will and will not do.

Question 11

Define effectiveness

Answer 11

A measure of how well a solution, information managaement strategy or a network, function

Question 12

What are some measures of effectiveness of an information management strategy?

Answer 12

Currency of files, ease of retrieval, data and security integrity

Question 13

What are some measures of effectiveness in a solution?

Answer 13

1. Accessibility, Accuracy, Attractiveness
2. Clarity, Communication, Completeness
3. Readability, Relevance
4. Timeliness
5. Usability

Question 14

What are some measures of effective networks?

Answer 14

Maintainability, reliability, security of data during storage AND TRANSMISSION.

Question 14

List measures of efficiency in a SOLUTION

Answer 14

Cost of file manipulation, its functionality and the speed of processing

Question 15

Define efficiency

Answer 15

A measure of how much time, cost and effort is applied to achieve intended results

Question 16

List measures of efficiency in a network

Answer 16

Processing time, operational costs and level of automation

Question 17

What does the design stage consist of

Answer 17

1) The Solution Design:
- Planning of how the solution will function given the requirements

2) Determining the criteria that will be used to evaluate the solution
(EVALUATION CRITERIA)

Question 18

What does the Planning solution functionality (solution design) involve?

Answer 18

Working out how the data that is required will be named, structured, validated, manipulated and stored.
Showing how the various components of the solution relate to one another.
To design how information will be PRESENTED in the software solution.

Question 19

Data dictionaries, data structure diagrams, pseudocode and object descriptions are used for what

Answer 19

To work out how data is named, structured, manipulated and stored

Question 20

How do you show that the various components of a solution relate to one another?

Answer 20

With the use of DFDs (Data flow diagrams), context diagrams and use case diagrams.

Question 21

What are the different ways to design how information will be presented in a software solution?

Answer 21

Using tools such as annotated diagrams and mock ups.

Question 22

What advantages are there in compiling test data during the design stage?

Answer 22

Provides the developers a valuable insight into the exact parameters of the input and output

Question 23

Why is the evaluation criteria determined early, in the design stage?

Answer 23

So that the developer has a better understanding of how the success of the solution will be ultimately judged.

Question 24

What activities are in the Development stage?

Answer 24

1. Coding (manipulation)
2. Validation
3. Testing
4. Documenting

Question 25

What does the term ‘due diligence’ mean?

Answer 25

When performed adequately and effectively

Question 26

What advantages are there in using coding conventions for the naming of program elements?

Answer 26

For eliminating sloppy and hard-to-read code which can be quite unprofessional, leading to good habits including the naming and structure of code with ample internal documentation

Question 27

What is Validation?

Answer 27

The process of determining the reasonableness of input data

Question 28

What does testing refer to?

Answer 28

The programmer adds elements to the program, testing them to see that they are working and to modify or fix them as needed.

Question 29

Why is documentation needed?

Answer 29

Documentation is written to support the variety of users of the solution.

Question 30

Types of documentation

Answer 30

Internal documentation:
placed inside the program code to assist future programmers who wish to modify the solution.

System support documentation:
electronic or hardcopy form, can be produced for different groups from those who are using the system to those who are maintaining it.

Question 31

What does the evaluation stage involve?

Answer 31

Evaluating the software solution and determining an evaluation strategy.

Question 32

What does evaluating the solution involve?

Answer 32

Using the evaluation criteria previously stated in the design stage, the evaluation draws upon the criteria to see how well the solution has met the requirements and needs.

Question 33

How DO you find the best way to see if a solution has met the required needs

Answer 33

A strategy is used to determine this, including a timeline for the evaluation, what data will be collected using what methods, and how the data relates to the evaluation criteria.