Problem definition. The problem definition should be brief. The problem
definition should be clear to someone not familiar with the setting.
o Identifying a problem. The problem should be associated with an
information system with which you are familiar. If possible, the problem
should be within an organization that would support a team in conducting
a systems analysis project during this semester. If you are unfamiliar
with any problem to which we can have access, develop a problem definition
for any system with which you are familiar.
o Describing the setting of the problem. Provide a very brief (one
paragraph) description of the setting in which the problem occurs.
If an information system (computerized or manual) is already in place,
briefly describe it.
o Describing the problem. Try to specify the problem, rather than
just describing the symptoms associated with the problem. You may
use the symptoms to demonstrate that the problem is significant.
o Defining the scope of the problem. Scope may be defined in terms
of the people involved in the system processing, the people who control
data involved in the system, the amount of data involved in the processing,
or the costs of system failure.
o Defining the goals/objectives of the analysis/design project. Establish
criteria for the success of the project. Essentially, you will identify
criteria for recognizing that the problem is solved. Also provide
a brief justification for working on the problem.
What information you need together, and why it is important?
o This may include information about existing processes or data, the
expected users, the environment of the new system, any constraints
on your design, standards or “best practices” that may
be pertinent, products or equipment, etc.
Where you will seek the information?
o This may include people (known, or known only by job title), vendors,
other places with similar situations, research literature or trade
journals, the site itself, etc.
How you will get the information?
o This may include types of interviews or observations, arti-facts
you want to collect, searching through indexes or on the Web, etc.
o Make a list of questions, and conduct the interview. Write the list
of questions prepared by you along with responses from the interviewer
as part of your assignment. Also, write the procedure, in your own
words, on the basis of your understanding of the responses to the
questions asked by you.
How you plan to record and organize the information?
o This may include the models that you think will be useful, notes
or sketches, etc.
Your schedule for gathering and organizing information.
Q2: Prepare Data flow diagrams (DFDs) to the required levels for the
above said problem mentioned in 1(a) to cover all the processes.