CMSC243: Assignment 4: DFD, Requirements
You will submit the paper, Lastname_Firstname_dfd.docx in Blackboard
under assignments.
Continuing Case: Online Tutors, Inc.
Online Tutors, Inc. provides Online tutoring. They are doing well with
scheduled tutoring sessions, but would like to offer on demand tutoring in
addition.
Online Tutors’ president, Mary Montgomery, sent a letter to IT consultant,
Julie Martin, to help develop the system for the new services. During the
project, Julie will work closely with Ryan Lewis, who manages Online
operations. You, as an intern will assist Julie. You are eager for the chance to
make a good impression in your first professional job.
Background
Currently, Online Tutors has 300–500 registered subscribers. Most
subscribers are families with 1 to 3 children. Subscribers sign up for
on-demand tutoring, or they can book an appointment with a tutor in
advance. They purchase each tutoring session when it is ordered.
At the end of each day, charges are entered into the MyBookeeper
accounting software, which runs on a computer workstation. The
MyBookeeper program produces a daily activity report with a listing of
all sales transactions. Tutors can see their hours worked Online, and
register to be on-call.
At the end of the month, the finance manager uses MyBookeeper to
transmit an accounts receivable summary to the Online Tutors
headquarters.
The MyBookeeper program stores basic subscriber information, but
does not include information about preferences, activities, and history.
Currently, the MyBookeeper program produces one local report (the
daily activity report) and three reports that are prepared at the
headquarters: a monthly subscribers’ sales report, an exception report
for inactive subscribers, and a quarterly profit-and-loss report that
shows a breakdown of revenue and costs for each separate activity.
Tutors and other employees are paid every other week.
During the interviews, Julie received a number of “wish list” comments
from managers and staff members. For example, managers want more
analytical features so they can spot trends, launch special promotions,
and temporary discounts. Managers also want better information about
the profitability of specific business activities, instead of bottom-line
totals.
Several managers want to offer computerized activity and progress
reports, and various social networking options, including e-mail
communications.
Tasks
Create a professional looking document to address the issues noted below.
Be sure that you have corrected all spelling and grammar errors and clearly
label all sections of the report.
1. Using the information gathered during fact-finding, develop a
requirements checklist that includes examples in each of the five main
categories: outputs, inputs, processes, performance and controls.
2. Develop a list of questions to include in an employee survey or
interview.
These are questions designed to elicit information about the way the
current system works and their suggestions for improvement.
3. Draw a Functional Decomposition Diagram (FDD) that shows the new
systems main functions. Include at least three main functions.
4. Draw a use case diagram that represents the interaction between a
user and the proposed system.
Creating the DFD
The data flow diagram should show how data moves through the system.
Where does it come from? Where does it is stored and how does it is used?
The guideline below are general. They do NOT necessarily indicate items in
the assignment.
The first step is to read the narrative and identify:
Entities is who interacts with the system. These are nouns or noun
clauses such as manager, customer, payroll office, IRS, etc. Use the
terms that your client uses. For instance if a doctor’s office refers
to patients, use that term, not customers.
Data Stores: These are also nouns or noun clauses such as student
database, employee records.
Processes: These are verbs or verb clauses: Process payment, send
invoice, Calculate bonuses, Refund customer, etc.
Draw some sketches to show each process with the input and output: use
one of the two methods from the text. This diagram was done in draw.io
.
After you have made some sketches for each process, create a complete
DFD that shows all of the processes with all input and output.
FDD (Functional Decomposition Diagram)
This is similar to a hierarchy chart for employees that shows the CEO at the
top. Example:
Requirements
Requirements are things the new system MUST do. For instance, create the
reports required by the government; let clients select colors Online; be
ready by a certain date; interface with another system.
Example: Patient Portal: Assignment
Requirements:
The score will be zero if you are not met any of the following requirements:
Submit the Assignment as a Word Document.
There is a heading with your name and description of the assignment at
the top.
The assignment addresses the request from Mary Montgomery.
Item Points
Label every section of the assignment clearly. 3
Layout is clear and easy to read. 3
There are no spelling or grammar errors. 4
Input requirements are shown 4
Output requirements are shown 4
Process requirements are shown 4
Performance requirements are shown 4
Control requirements are shown 4
Gives at least 4 good questions to ask employees. 4
FDD has at least 3 main functions 4
Use case diagram represents the interaction between a user and
the proposed system.
6
Grids are not showing in the diagrams, and screen shot is of only
the diagram.
2
Notation is correct, symbols are consistent size, and lines are
straight.
4