Systems Design & Implementation Techniques

Prerequisites:

Those who need to produce effective business specifications, develop close working relationships with end users, design solutions that fulfil business requirements, and implement those solutions.

Those wishing to attain the ISEB Certificate in Systems Design and Implementation Techniques. (These delegates should also book on course code SDITEX-1). Candidates with special examination requirements should consult the ISEB web site (www.iseb.org.uk) for the ISEB Special Needs policy. Note that the ISEB must be advised at least four weeks in advance of any special requirements.

Delegates should have attended the Systems Modelling Techniques course.

Course Description:

In order to deliver solutions that meet business users' demands, it is essential that systems development professionals thoroughly specify all aspects of the system design. They also need to ensure that the optimum testing and implementation strategy is adopted.

This course focuses on those design and implementation issues. It is concerned with designing all aspects of the user interface (input forms, input screens, output screens, reports and documents, dialogues) as well as the underlying principles of data and process design. It also addresses areas that must not be neglected before, during and after implementation.

At the end of the course delegates may sit an examination to attain the ISEB Business Systems Development Certificate in Systems Design and Implementation Techniques. (These delegates should also book on course code SDITEX-1). This course may be taken as part of the programme leading to the ISEB Diploma in Systems Development.

This is an intensive four day course that places emphasis on the practical application of the techniques covered. Delegates participate in exercises, and case study tasks.

Those delegates taking the ISEB certificates will need to spend 60-90 minutes each evening on revision and example examination questions.

The recommended combination and sequence of courses for delegates wishing to complete the programme leading to the ISEB Systems Development Diploma is (1) Systems Development Essentials, (2) either Systems Modelling Techniques (UML) or Systems Modelling Techniques (Structured), (3) Systems Design & Implementation Techniques, (4) Software Testing Foundation.

This course includes the following modules:

Introduction

• Design and implementation in the lifecycle
• Interpreting the models of analysis
• Design approach
• Design objectives and constraints
• Design architecture

Input / Output Design

• Input and output design
• Form and document design
• Selection of appropriate input and data capture solutions
• Output technologies
• Selection of appropriate output technologies

Interface Design

• Design of input and output screens
• Design of human/computer interaction
• Usability and style guides
• Modelling/prototyping the interface

Data Design (normalisation)

• Notation and conventions of relational data analysis
• Progressive normalisation of selected inputs and outputs from un-normalised format to third normal form
• Rationalising results
• Third Normal Form data/class model

Process design and specification

• Detailed definition of write (read and update) processes
• Detailed definition of read only processes

Controls and Security

• Physical security
• Logical security (passwords, access control)
• Risk assessment
• Backup and recovery procedures
• Audit trails
• Contingency planning
• Legislative controls
• Ethical issues

Physical design

• Physical data design
• Design of codes and keys
• Physical process design
• Physical process design principles (e.g. cohesion and coupling)
• Design patterns
• Interface and sub-system design
• Principles of re-factoring
• Round-trip engineering

Testing

• Test cases from design models
• Design and code inspection
• Unit testing
• Integration testing
• System testing
• User acceptance testing
• Requirements traceability

Methods of implementation

• Implementation planning and preparation
• Changeover methods
• Handover procedures

Training

• Analysing training needs
• Methods of training delivery
• Evaluating training

Post implementation

• Post implementation and post project reviews
• Benefits realisation
• Types of maintenance
• Change control
• Build and release strategy
• Regression testing

Case Study

• Throughout the course, a case study is used to reinforce and practise the topics discussed