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1.
Project Scope & Constraints
The new payroll system project has been approved. The new system will reduce clerical time and errors,
improve morale in the payroll department, and avoid possible fines and penalties for noncompliance. The
system must be installed by January 1st to meet new federal reporting rules, all expenses must be approved in
advance, and the system should have a modular design if possible. The new system is expected to be announced
in a year-end report if it is ready by mid-December.
1.
Why is it important to define the project scope? How would you describe the scope of the payroll project
in this case?
2.
Based upon the project scope, identify the constraints, and determine its characteristics: present versus
future, internal versus external, and mandatory versus desirable.
3.
What questions would you ask to determine the feasibility of this project?
4.
Given the project time constraints, could you shorten the typical steps in the preliminary
investigation phase? Which ones? Explain your answer.
2.
Data and Process Modeling
As a senior systems analyst at a growing IT consulting firm. You are leading the development team for a major
client. Your responsibility is to explain data and process modeling to the two newly hired junior analysts before
meeting with the client.
1.
Describe the rules for creating DFDs.
2.
What data flow and process combinations must be avoided when creating a DFD?
3.
Explain what diagram 0 is and how it is used.
4.
Review the order system context diagram on page 152 and compare it with the order system diagram 0
DFD on page 155. Answer the following questions: (a) How many external entities are shown in each
diagram? (b) In each chart, how many data flows connect to the external entities? (c) How many
processes are identified in the diagram 0 DFD? (d) Could the data store have been shown in the context
diagram? Why or why not?
3.
Data Flow Diagrams
There is an online store for a line of high-quality kitchen utensils and gadgets. When customers place orders on
this company’s Web site or through electronic data interchange (EDI), the system checks to see if the items are
in stock issues a status message to the customer, and generates a shipping order to the warehouse, which fills
the order. When the order is shipped, the customer is billed. The system also produces various reports.
1. List four elements used in DFDs and explain how they are used.
2. Draw a context diagram for the order system.
3. Explain the importance of leveling and balancing