Making a great Project 2Making a great Project 2

OCR 1994/2360OCR 1994/2360

AnalysisAnalysis

This is the key to getting it right.This is the key to getting it right.

Too many candidates skip through this Too many candidates skip through this section. It’s worth 20% of the marks!section. It’s worth 20% of the marks!

Remember, it’s all about finding out about Remember, it’s all about finding out about the CURRENT system.the CURRENT system.

NEVER start by saying “I am going to NEVER start by saying “I am going to make a database to…”make a database to…”

Analysis 1 – the problemAnalysis 1 – the problem

What is the scenario? What is the scenario?

It’s surprising how many candidates forget It’s surprising how many candidates forget to explain this!to explain this!

What are the problems with the current What are the problems with the current system?system?

DO NOT try and say how you will solve it DO NOT try and say how you will solve it until you know what the problem is!until you know what the problem is!

Analysis 2 – collecting informationAnalysis 2 – collecting information

You can’t say too much about the You can’t say too much about the problems, or about what the user requires, problems, or about what the user requires, until you’ve done some finding out!until you’ve done some finding out!

So you must collect information…So you must collect information…

Analysis 2 – collecting informationAnalysis 2 – collecting information

You won’t get far if you make it up.You won’t get far if you make it up.

If possible you should try to solve a real If possible you should try to solve a real problem where you can ask real users.problem where you can ask real users.

If that’s really impossible, try to get a If that’s really impossible, try to get a teacher or another adult to pose as the teacher or another adult to pose as the user. They will have better ideas than your user. They will have better ideas than your mates.mates.

Analysis 2 – collecting informationAnalysis 2 – collecting information

Collect information by means of Collect information by means of questionnaires, or interviews, or questionnaires, or interviews, or observation.observation.

Write letters or emails to accompany them Write letters or emails to accompany them or to make arrangements. Include copies or to make arrangements. Include copies and replies in the project.and replies in the project.

Get photographs if possible.Get photographs if possible.

Analysis 2 – collecting informationAnalysis 2 – collecting information

In your project, include a discussion of the In your project, include a discussion of the methods you methods you couldcould have used to collect have used to collect information.information.

Give reasons why you chose to use your Give reasons why you chose to use your method.method.

Analysis 1 – the problemAnalysis 1 – the problem

Now you’ve collected information, add Now you’ve collected information, add some detail about the problems in the some detail about the problems in the current system.current system.

Mention the current level of computer Mention the current level of computer knowledge. If they already have a knowledge. If they already have a computer, will it do the job?computer, will it do the job?

Analysis 1 – the problemAnalysis 1 – the problem

What does your user require?What does your user require?

This bit is This bit is VITALVITAL!!

Make the requirements Make the requirements veryvery clear. clear.

Make sure that you can test them – if not, Make sure that you can test them – if not, you will lose marks later!you will lose marks later!

Analysis 1 – the problemAnalysis 1 – the problem

For top marks here, point out bits of the For top marks here, point out bits of the problem which will need different software problem which will need different software to solve them.to solve them.

But don’t add extra bits to the problem just But don’t add extra bits to the problem just to use extra software…to use extra software…

……that’s a complex that’s a complex solutionsolution and you won’t and you won’t get the mark for that.get the mark for that.

Analysis 3 – inputs, processing, Analysis 3 – inputs, processing, outputsoutputs

Still thinking about the current system, Still thinking about the current system, what are the inputs?what are the inputs?

What are the outputs?What are the outputs?

What processing has to take place to get What processing has to take place to get from input to output?from input to output?

Analysis 3 – inputs, processing, Analysis 3 – inputs, processing, outputsoutputs

Now think of some scenarios that might Now think of some scenarios that might happen.happen.

Describe them in terms of the inputs, Describe them in terms of the inputs, processing and outputs that are needed.processing and outputs that are needed.

Analysis 3 – inputs, processing, Analysis 3 – inputs, processing, outputsoutputs

Until now, we haven't even thought about Until now, we haven't even thought about hardware and software.hardware and software.Make an outline list of the type of hardware and Make an outline list of the type of hardware and software that could do the job.software that could do the job.DO NOT mention any brand names or specific DO NOT mention any brand names or specific sizes or speeds yet – leave that for the design sizes or speeds yet – leave that for the design section.section.Now make a similar list of alternative hardware Now make a similar list of alternative hardware and software that could do the job.and software that could do the job.Mention the advantages of your first choice over Mention the advantages of your first choice over the alternatives.the alternatives.

Analysis Complete…Analysis Complete…

That’s it! You’ve done the Analysis That’s it! You’ve done the Analysis section.section.

Don’t forget about it – you will need to Don’t forget about it – you will need to refer back to it later.refer back to it later.