PR 1

(Relates to the physical design stage of the System Development Life Cycle for the new Payroll system for Sanderson Sausages. You will be asked to list and describe issues that would be considered in the selection of the relevant hardware that is being considered for the system.)

During the physical design stage of the System Development Life Cycle for the new Payroll System for Sanderson Sausages, were a number of system considerations that had to be reviewed including:

Application software

Hardware selection criteria Software selection criteria

One of the Hardware considerations was whether to use simple Time Cards, Smart Cards or a Sign on Register. The software considerations reviewed custom or available commercial software and the advantages of each.

PR 1.1) What is meant by the Physical Design stage of the System Development Life Cycle? Briefly describe what this stage means and the system activity that is included in it.

PR 1.2) List and describe four (4) matters that would be considered in the selection of the relevant hardware to be considered for the system.

PR 2

Case study

P & S Furniture Mart, after operating its inventory control system for a while, discovers that it may have to modify the existing system. The existing system was based on a master plan that was designed to facilitate the incorporation of other systems at a later stage. The technology which the master plan was based on has become so advanced that the introduction of additional systems may be impossible without modifications to the existing inventory control system. In fact, it may be necessary to replace the whole system.

David and Mary agree that modifying or replacing the existing system because of the computer equipment involved requires a substantial commitment of time and resources. They also realise that when they undertake to change the existing system a series of steps will need to be undertaken including:

• surveying the existing system
• analysing the information collected during this survey with a view to recommending certain actions
• designing a modified or new system
• researching and acquiring the appropriate equipment
• implementing the modified or new system.

David and Mary agree that these are not separate steps but may overlap each other and that these steps may need to be retraced sometimes in order for the whole project to be successful.

One of P & S Furniture Mart's esteemed customers overhears the discussions between you (the accountant for P & S Furniture Mart) and David on this matter. The customer meets you that evening at the pub and wonders why David and Mary have to undertake such a difficult task.

Please answer the following questions related to this Case Study

PR 2.1) How will you explain the reasons for the survey of the existing inventory control system?

PR 2.2) Identify and explain the activities and techniques commonly used during the system survey and systems analysis steps.

Also describe what would be your role as a project team member who performs the review and analysis steps?

PR 2.3) What would be your role as a project team member who performs the survey and analysis steps?