Your team of software developers have decided that it is time to develop an application for the
campus canteen that will allow a student to place an order and schedule delivery of that order to
a specified venue on campus. The canteen owners expect that a lot of students will be making use
of the application and therefore wants it to be as simple and responsive as possible so that they
will be able to cope easier with the number of orders that will be placed.
Q.1.1 In relation to the campus canteen application, discuss the role of Systems Analysis
and the implications if Systems Analysis is not performed adequately. Substantiate
your answer with a relevant example.
(4)
Q.1.2 Explain how iterative development will take place for the development of the
canteen’s application.
Q.1.1 Systems Analysis plays a crucial role in the development of the campus canteen application. It involves studying and understanding the current systems and processes, identifying the requirements, and designing a solution that meets those requirements. It helps in determining the scope, defining goals and objectives, and creating a blueprint for the development process.
If Systems Analysis is not performed adequately, it can have several implications for the application development. For example, inadequate Systems Analysis might lead to:
1. Incomplete or inaccurate requirements: Without a proper analysis, the requirements for the application may not be fully understood or captured. This could result in missing essential features or functionalities in the final application, leading to user dissatisfaction.
2. Inefficient or ineffective design: Inadequate analysis can lead to a flawed system design. The application may not be optimized for the campus canteen's specific needs, resulting in a slow or unresponsive application. This can negatively impact the user experience and cause delays in order processing.
3. Cost and time overruns: Without proper analysis, the development team might underestimate the complexity or scope of the project. As a result, the project may require additional resources or take longer to complete, leading to cost overruns and delays.
4. Poor integration and compatibility: Insufficient analysis can lead to problems with integrating the application with existing systems or ensuring compatibility with different devices and platforms. This can result in technical issues and limited usage of the application.
To avoid these implications, a thorough Systems Analysis process should be conducted. This involves gathering requirements from all stakeholders, conducting feasibility studies, and creating detailed specifications for the application. It ensures that the final solution meets the needs of the campus canteen and its users.
Q.1.2 Iterative development will take place for the development of the canteen's application. Iterative development is an approach where the development process is divided into smaller iterations or cycles. Each iteration focuses on adding or refining specific features or functionalities.
In the case of the canteen application, iterative development allows the development team to continuously improve and enhance the application based on user feedback and changing requirements. It involves the following steps:
1. Planning: The development team identifies the high-level requirements and establishes the overall plan for the project.
2. Design: The team creates a basic design for the application, considering the identified requirements.
3. Development: The team develops and implements the features and functionalities outlined in the design.
4. Testing: The developed features are tested for functionality, usability, and performance.
5. Feedback: Users and stakeholders provide feedback on the developed features and suggest improvements.
6. Iteration: Based on the feedback, the team goes back to the planning phase to refine the requirements and design. This process continues until the final application meets the desired objectives.
Iterative development allows for flexibility, adaptability, and continuous improvement throughout the development process. It allows the team to respond to changing needs and requirements, while also ensuring that the application remains responsive, user-friendly, and efficient in handling a large number of orders placed by students.