My journal for system development COIS20025

Week 12

mand — Thu, 31 May 2007 19:08:20 +0000

As a student of system development CIOS20025 the most difficult assessment item was the 3NF tables as I am not sure the text book explained it in a practical learning view but more as a over-view summary, the hand out that I printed off helped a great deal, I am thinking I would of like the opportunity to the placed these 3NF tables on my blog for feedback, comments and guidance. Also the structured English again the description within the text book is more of an over-view summary and possibly would need the hand out like the 3NF and ERD had available the course web site.

The three main things I have learnt and I feel I have learnt a great deal more than just three, but the main three things would be:

SDLC – System development life cycle from system planning, system requirements, requirement modelling, Data and processing modelling, system design, data design, output and user interface, system architecture, System implementation, and operating supporting the new system.

ERD diagrams and 3NF tables database data importance to a great system.

Context and DFD 0 diagrams and the importance of these to be seen as blueprints to new systems.

The terminology used in the information technology business world the understanding this terminology. For example terms such as SQL, Java, JAD, ERD.

The course as a whole will benefit me a great deal in my future information technology career as from the SDLC to the diagrams, to the report on Innovative educational report. As within the real business world these techniques and tools are used to implement business systems. . I can’t wait to start working on new exciting system were I get to use the techniques I have learnt. I am looking to become a system analyst and work implementing new systems or re-designing current systems.

Week 10

mand — Sun, 20 May 2007 20:33:13 +0000

Applying the four types of maintenance tasks (discussed in the course text book p.478) that the Capricornia Car Pool System would need once it is in operation.

Corrective Maintenance

Corrective maintenance fixes errors and problems. Within the Car Pool System errors that could occur that would need attention could be logic errors on the reports, produced by the system, and on the invoices that are generated by the system these would need to be fixed. Debug any code errors that appear once the system is in operation. Interview the system users for any suggestions of future improvements. Restore proper configuration settings so the system functions effective. Patching could be attached to update and repair the system.

Adaptive Maintenance

Adaptive maintenance provides enhancements to a system. Add online capability providing the car pool system to a wider audience enabling more customers to use the system. Create a new report showing an annual report of reservations most popular vehicles which could help with future vehicle procurement. Adding more, new input fields could allow the system to collect even more detailed information about the reservations. Installing web-site links to information regarding the guidelines with purchasing a pool car, and to policies and procedure when having a pool car.

Perfective Maintenance

Perfective maintenance improves a system’s efficiency, reliability, or maintainability. Installing additional memory for more information regarding the reservations file, the pool car maintenance file, and vehicle file especially if a new pool car have been placed into the system. Compress the system files, and optimize user desktop settings making the system user friendly for the customers. Develop a library of all code that can be reused in future add ons to the current system. Install a more powerful network server to allow other campus’s to purchase pool cars for visits to the local pool car campus.

Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance avoids future problems. Install new security software to secure reservation, invoice details for purchasing a pool car. Develop a standard backup schedule, and implement regular defragmentation process to ensure the system operates properly. Analyse problem report for any patterns that will need future improvements.

Week 9

mand — Sun, 13 May 2007 13:42:01 +0000

An explanation of the four possible approaches discussed on page 447 of the course text book for changing from one information system to another. Explaining the implications and the benefits of utilizes these four approaches at CQU on the Capricornia Car Pool System.

Direct Cutover

The direct cutover approach causes the changeover from the old system to the new system to occur immediately when the new system becomes operational. (Text book, p448) For CQU this approach is cost effective and is the least expensive changeover out of all four approaches. However this approach involves the most risk and for the CQU CCPS may encounter errors that were not foreseen in the testing of this new system. Implementation problems are at a higher level using this approach, also detecting mirror problems are difficult because there is the inability to compare to a legacy system. Major issues can result in loss of customers as there is no backup of the legacy system. The CQU must decide if this system is non-critical and if the direct cutover is the only option. Timing is an important factor that will need to be considered as customer information may be lost creating errors. CQU would benefit from this approach as the old system is a manual diary system and the CCPS is the first technology based system for its department.

Parallel Operation

The parallel operation changeover method requires that both the old and the new information systems to operate fully for a specified period of time. (Text book, p448)

Data input and printing outputs are run on both systems and comparisons are made until the company are content with the new system. For the CQU is approach is the lowest risk of all the approaches, if the new system have problems the CQU can go back to using the old system as a backup. If changes are needed to be made to the new system customers and information will not be lost. However parallel operation is the most costly approach as both systems are running together and additional workloads are created when data needs to be entered twice. Parallel operation approaches are not appropriate when the two systems perform different functions and involve a new method of business operations i.e. the CQU CCPS legacy system is a manual operated diary.

Pilot Operation

The pilot operation changeover method involves implementing a complete new system at a selected location of the company. (Text book, p449) During the pilot operation the old system continuous to operate for the company, once the system has proved to be successful it is implemented fully. This approach is a combination of the direct cutover and parallel operation. The difference of implementing this approach is this method is cost effective than the parallel operations approach, and there is less risk allowed than the direct cutover method. For CQU this method would be hard to implement as the CCPS only operates in the one office, but it may be useful if at a later date the CCPS were to be implemented at other campuses.

Phased Operation

The phased operation changeover method allows you to implement the new system in stages, or modules. (Text book, p449) This method is another approach with the combination of the direct cutover and parallel operation. However with a phased operation you give part of the system to all users. An advantage to the phased operation is it is less risk of errors or failures, and it is less expensive than full parallel operation because you only work on a small part of the system. The disadvantage of this type of approach is it is not likely to be able to be used on a system that cannot be separated easily into modules. For CQU this method would be hard to implement as the CCPS is a new system to a manual system it would be difficult to decide what modules to use and not use as the CCPS is only a small system.

Week 8

mand — Sun, 06 May 2007 21:02:54 +0000

Web Conferencing: The Future of Training?Tom Stroud, Training Journal, Aug 2005

An Annotated Bibliography

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdwebdid=904079811&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=20863&RQT=309&VName=PQD
viewed 4^th May 2007

Stroud’s opinion of what web conferencing is?Stroud states although web conferencing in different forms has been around, it is only in the last couple of years that the technology has advanced and developed to provide reliable solutions we utilise in today’s working environment. It is essentially, web conferencing that allows individuals to connect to a conference or online meeting room on a secure virtual network utilising only a web browser and an Internet connection. Once logged onto the conference, candidates are able to view the presentations, share files and collaborate on information with other attendees of the conference. They can also share the applications on their computer with others in the conference, all securely and in real time.This article states that web conferencing in common with physical conferences, a host set the format of the meeting and control what candidates can view and access. Depending on the nature of session, company meeting, classroom, it may be a small workshop or a presentation to an audience of many hundreds. The host can select the arrangements of the virtual conference room to suit that particle event and content of the meeting. Stroud goes on to say in its basic set-up, the host may use the web conference simply to deliver a PowerPoint presentation to an audience or a class. By combining the web conference with an audio/ telephone conference call, the audience can see the slides displayed on their screens as well as listen to the host talking via the audio conference. The audio may be carried over the Internet or delivered via a separate teleconference. Candidates can be given the ability to both ask questions using an instant messenger facility i.e. MSN messenger, or to use the ‘seat mood indicator,’ to request that the host speeds up, slows down or repeats a subject, or to indicate that they want to ask a question verbally.The article details further that when being used for more collaborative sessions, the host is able to hand over control of the conference to any of the audience members. All members of the meeting can work on documents and files together, allowing each to view the changes being made in real time. It is also ideal to share applications, making it great if you want to demonstrate a software application and allow the members of the meeting to actually utilise it without having to install it on their computer.Stroud looks to the future with the latest web conferencing solutions offer a range of additional features, such as interactive white boards, external website slides, polling, and seamless integration with other commonly used software applications. They also offer the great feature of being able to record sessions for future playback, so member unable to attend the meeting are able to access the conference payback at a later date. These recordings can also be retained as part of the training programme’s audit trail.In conclusion this article importantly states, unlike video conferencing, web conferencing requires no special hardware or software, which makes adopting the technology inexpensive and simple. To attend a web conference candidates only need a web browser and Internet connection. It is even possible to connect to a web conference using a 56k dial up modem. This allows flexible, long distance members of the meeting to be located in remote to be able to attend a web conference training session.

Week 7

mand — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 17:33:23 +0000

As part of assignment 2 it is to identify potential education innovations for improving the learning strategies the course 20025 website. Using the techniques discussed in week 3 identify a potential innovation.

What is the name of the innovation?

Online weekly interactive multi-choice quiz

Describe the innovation and how it would work and the service it would provide to students and/ or staff?

A multi-choice quiz allows students to test their knowledge on the weekly readings from the course text book. Ten multi-choice questions that students answer and submit the test can be taken multiple times with different questions. After the quiz is submitted it allows the student to review their mistakes. The quiz could be located on the resources webpage close to the weekly class presentations. It gives students a chance to review important information especially the terminology relating to the chapter of the text book read that week. It allows lecturers to follow the development of student’s knowledge and understanding of the course more closely like the weekly blog. Where the blog monitors the students understanding of the assessments and what is needed to complete the assessments, the multi-choice quiz could monitor the understanding of the terminology relating to information systems.

How did you identify this innovation?

The innovation was identified looking at the course 20024 Information System Management at the CQU where an online quiz has to be completed in week 7 and week 12. Taking the online quiz in week 7 I found it to be very insightful to my knowledge and understanding of the terminology used within this course. It is important as a student to feel satisfied that you understand the course, text book and the terminology. I also noted a student’s comment in the course discussion forum where a student was questioning what the intranet is. The quiz could help this student clarify an understanding of the meaning of the intranet.

Week 5

mand — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 16:10:15 +0000

A structured english description of a process when a student creates and uses a blog.

LABEL: Verify creating, using a blog

ENTRY TPYE: Process

DESCRIPTION: Determine weather a student blog should be accepted based on the student’s email standing, password standing and user name availability.

PROCESS #: 1

PROCESS DESCRIPTION:

Input data flows:
STUDENT EMAIL, USER NAME DETAIL, PASSWORD
Output data flows:
REJECTED BLOG, ACCEPT BLOG

For each ORDER,

If STUDENT EMAIL = OK and If USER NAME DETAIL = OK and If PASSWORD CODE = Y

Output ACCEPTED BLOG

Else

Output REJECTED BLOG

Week 4

mand — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:49:44 +0000

Data and process modeling

context-dfd-0-dfd-journal.doc

Week 3

mand — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:02:20 +0000

Introducing a variety of fact-finding techniques such as document review, observation, questionnaires and surveys, sampling and research that can be utilized to answer the following questions: (By substantiating the techniques used to answer the questions, not solving the questions directly)

What services/ additions would students find interesting and useful on the course website?

Questionnaires and surveys can obtain the input from a large number of people i.e. students and teachers (all users of the course website) from a variety of campuses. Surveys are documents with a number of standard questions that can include an array of topics, which can be sent to a substantial amount of students and teachers that access the website including external students. When designing the questionnaire it is important that the questions gather the right data that can be applied for further fact-finding. In additional to make sure that all students and teachers have the opportunity to answer the survey, it can be created as a fill-in form via the website in question. (COIS20025 textbook page 114)

Sampling may include records, reports, operational logs, complaint summaries concerning the website. This information can be applied to reduce the amount of people that are included in the interviewing and survey process. (COIS20025 textbook page 115)

To further the fact-finding from the information acquired from the sampling, surveys and questionnaires, interviews should be conducted with a small group of students and teachers. Following the seven steps for each interview, determine the people to interview, establish objectives for the interview, develop interview questions, prepare for the interview, conduct the interview, document the interview, evaluate the interview. (COIS20025 textbook page 107)

Observation is another technique that could be used to answer this question, personal observations allow you to verify the statements made in the interview or/ and survey process. Observation can provide the knowledge needed to test or install future charges and help build a good relationship with the users. (COIS20025 textbook page 113)

What learning and/ or teaching strategies might improve the student learning in this course?

Document review, obtaining current website documents will help you comprehend the current website procedures and teaching strategies that exist on the website at present. (COIS20025 textbook page 112)
Interviews should be conducted with the teachers to attain the latest teaching strategies, which may improve the website for future use. Following the seven steps for each interview, determine the people to interview, establish objectives for the interview, develop interview questions, prepare for the interview, conduct the interview, document the interview, evaluate the interview. (COIS20025 textbook page 107)

What journals might be useful to search the articles about educational innovations?

Research can be used to attain information regarding education modernization. Investigating the internet, magazines and books on the latest up-to-date information regarding educational innovations, technical material, background information and news about the latest IT trends and developments will aid with this question. Attending professional seminars may also be beneficial. COIS20025 textbook page 116)

Week 2

mand — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:38:25 +0000

What is the Capricornia Car Pool System?

The CQU vehicle fleet is managed by the facilities management division and includes car pool vehicles, faculty and division vehicles and salary vehicles. The Capricornia car pool system at the end of 2006 had thirty car pool vehicles located across the central
Queensland campuses of Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton.

At the present time the management of the CQU car pool is fully operated manually by the clerk in the facilities management division. The clerk utilizes a diary and note pad procedure to conduct customer bookings. The vehicle pool is available for the use by university staff for business purposes that meet the following criteria: the vehicles are to be used for duly authorised official purposes relating to the day to day academic or administrative business of the university, for duly authorised attendance at conferences, seminars etc. Representing the university in an advisory or other capacity at the meetings held at outside agencies.

The Capricornia car pool has two different car models in the fleet of vehicles: sedans and station wagons. They each have different pricing categories. All vehicles are delivered from and returned to the same location. Cars can be borrowed for a minimum of one hour and up to a maximum of two weeks (336 hours) at a time. The hourly, daily, weekly rates all include unlimited mileage. The price charged by the Capricornia car pool is established in advance. The price for the car depends on the model requested and the rental period chosen, hourly, daily or weekly rate. Capricornia car pool system also includes information of the cars specifications available on the options which may be fitted to certain cars such as automatic or manual transmission, anti-lock brakes, cruise control, etc. There is no extra charge for these options, but customers will often request some of this information when reserving a car. In addition to the fitted options there are optional non–fitted extras, such as roof-rack or trailer. These extras may be requested at a special additional charge. At present time staff members ring the facilities management division to request a car. Sometimes they send an email requesting a car. The means of payment is usually indicated at the reservation time, but may be changed when the car is returned. Most payments are internal transfers within the university’s existing finance system. Reservations are accepted for a given advance period and cars are tracked daily according to their status: available, booked, rented, under maintenance, being repaired, etc. (COIS20025)

What are the current problems with the Capricornia Car Pool System?

The current system involves a lot of manual labour with the clerk of the facilities management division as the main contact. When the clerk is away from his/her desk (sickness, annual leave, lunch) the receptionist takes messages and leaves it on the clerk’s desk. Sometimes these messages are lost, or go missing.

Manual labour creates a number of problems. Transcription error, copying information from one source to another may allow possible errors to occur in important information. Slows down the process of booking a pool car vehicle, the clerk is not always aware of the location of all the car pool vehicles at any given one time and when it is due back. Sometimes the clerk can not confirm a booking for several days as the records are checked to locate all available vehicles. At times it can take several days for a booking to be processed. Forms and permits are lost and need to be requested again, each month a number of bookings are lost or misplaced.

There are also a number of problems related with the operating a diary as a main data store including no statistics available. Management are unable to identify if more vehicles are needed or there are too many vehicles. Only the clerk has an idea of the level of usage. It is difficult to track the vehicle maintenance, not been able to determine when cars need to be off the road to be maintained. The clerk has to check the cars when they return from been used by customers. (COIS20025)

What information do you need to find out about the Capricornia Car pool system to develop a detailed understanding of the current system?

List of the vehicles and details of the vehicles, mileage, etc
List of personal authorised to utilize the pool car vehicles
List of additional options i.e. roof-rack
List of the pricing for the pool car system
List of the service stations and garages used for maintenance
A yearly planner for road tax, insurance, and service details
List of cost codes within the university finance system
The forms such as vehicle fault report, accident report, and safety report.
Motor vehicle guidelines and procedures
CQU Motor vehicle policy
Diary and note pad samples of booking information
Interview the main contact, the clerk

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mand — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 18:02:12 +0000

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