As you have worked on the system development project team at the Wilcon Company, you have heard the users and project sponsor repeatedly worry about the performance speed of the new order entry system. There has been so much discussion of this issue that you decided to do a little investigation. After a few ‘casual’ conversations around the coffee machine, you’ve learned that a system developed for the Distribution Department several years ago was a major disappointment in the company. Although the system had the features that the users had requested, the system actually ran “as slow as molasses in January” according to one disgusted system user.

Everyone on the team has been concerned about why the users and sponsor were so hung up on system processing speed. Now, you know the source of their anxiety, and you’ve shared what you’ve discovered with your project manager. In response, your manager has asked you to prepare a short memo that discusses, in simple terms, the techniques your team will use to enhance processing performance in the new system. Prepare this memo, explaining the ways in which the project team will try to speed up data access in the new system.