Investigation
The Exam Board says
Candidates should be able to:
1. define the nature of the task to be carried out;
2. identify methods by which to investigate the problem, including questionnaires, observation and structured interviews;
3. record information/data and gather sample documents currently used;
4. identify the current processes and current data;
5. analyse the data and processes: candidates will be expected to use appropriate techniques such as structure diagrams/data flow diagrams/system flowcharts to illustrate their analysis;
6. specify any perceived problems and inefficiencies apparent from discussions with the user and the analysis work carried out;
7. derive the user and information requirements of a system;
8. specify and justify the required hardware;
9. specify and justify the required software
What am I looking for:
Definition (A-B)
1. Define the nature of the task to be carried out;
2. Identify methods by which to investigate the problem, including questionnaires, observation and structured interviews;
This section should be around one side of A4. It could include:
Investigation (C-E)
1. Record information/data and gather sample documents currently used;
2. Identify the current processes and current data;
3. Analyse the data and processes: candidates will be expected to use appropriate techniques such as structure diagrams/data flow diagrams/system flowcharts to illustrate their analysis;
In this section you should include:
1. Specify any perceived problems and inefficiencies apparent from discussions with the user and the analysis work carried out;
2. Derive the user and information requirements of a system;
3. Specify and justify the required hardware;
4. Specify and justify the required software.
In this section you should include:
How will I be marked?
(a) Definition, Investigation and Analysis [14 marks]
(i) Definition – nature of the problem to be investigated [3 marks]
A candidate should not expect the examiner to be familiar with the theory and practice in the area of the chosen system. There should be a brief description of the end user (for example, firm or business) involved; and the current methods used or details of the area for development that may form the basis of the project. A clear statement of the origins and form of any relevant data should be given. At this stage, the exact scope of the project may not be known and it may lead to the arrangement of an interview with the user.
3 marks – Excellent description with all elements present.
2 marks – Some description of both the stages of study and end user involved.
1 mark – Vague description of the end user or area for development.
(ii) Investigation and Analysis [11 marks]
This section is the ‘systems analysis’. The question is not how a system performs detailed tasks, but rather how the project progresses from the original data to the results. The candidate should describe how the user requirements were ascertained (including detailed planning of the investigation). The results of the investigation should be recorded accurately and analysed carefully to show how the candidate has arrived at the requirements specification. The specification must be detailed and should include the user, hardware and software requirements of the proposed solution.
9–11 marks – Excellent user involvement with detailed recording of the user’s requirements. All other items must be present, showing a thorough analysis of the system to be computerised. A detailed requirements specification, including full justification for the approach and hardware and software requirements, has been produced.
6–8 marks – Good user involvement and recording of the data collection methods. Most of the necessary items have been covered. However, one or two items have been omitted. A requirements specification is present with some attempt to justify the approach based on the results of the investigations but with some omissions, eg hardware and software requirements.
3–5 marks – Some evidence that an attempt has been made to identify the end-user requirements and some recording of it has been made. Attempts at some of the other items have been made. An attempt has been made to develop a requirement specification but with little attempt to justify this based on the results of the investigation.
1–2 marks – Some elements have been discussed but with little or no user involvement.
Candidates should be able to:
1. define the nature of the task to be carried out;
2. identify methods by which to investigate the problem, including questionnaires, observation and structured interviews;
3. record information/data and gather sample documents currently used;
4. identify the current processes and current data;
5. analyse the data and processes: candidates will be expected to use appropriate techniques such as structure diagrams/data flow diagrams/system flowcharts to illustrate their analysis;
6. specify any perceived problems and inefficiencies apparent from discussions with the user and the analysis work carried out;
7. derive the user and information requirements of a system;
8. specify and justify the required hardware;
9. specify and justify the required software
What am I looking for:
Definition (A-B)
1. Define the nature of the task to be carried out;
2. Identify methods by which to investigate the problem, including questionnaires, observation and structured interviews;
This section should be around one side of A4. It could include:
- Company/Client Background: who they are; where they are based; who works there and who is your contact; what do they do;
- Current System Overview: what is the system you will look at; what does it do and why are there problems or possible extensions? Who will use it?
- Data: what sort of data is the company working with (inputs and outputs) and where does it come from. This is a bit more difficult if you are doing a game but you should try and think about game concept.
Investigation (C-E)
1. Record information/data and gather sample documents currently used;
2. Identify the current processes and current data;
3. Analyse the data and processes: candidates will be expected to use appropriate techniques such as structure diagrams/data flow diagrams/system flowcharts to illustrate their analysis;
In this section you should include:
- Primary Interview with Client: start with aims and include a plan with follow-up type questions; once the interview has been completed you will be able to include an interview transcript and summary of what you learnt from the interview and anything you have to yet to find out;
- Secondary Interview and/or End User Questionnaire: this could be with staff, customers or the clients again. Follows same format as (1);
- Evidence from current system: this can be screenshots and/or printouts from the current system. Anything that comes under data protection such as names and addresses should be blacked out; In the case of a game you should consider researching similar games that are available.
- Current System Flowchart: should show the processes involved in the current system. A written explanation of complex areas or areas with particular problems or issues can also be provided. Make sure you use appropriate symbols and connectors.
1. Specify any perceived problems and inefficiencies apparent from discussions with the user and the analysis work carried out;
2. Derive the user and information requirements of a system;
3. Specify and justify the required hardware;
4. Specify and justify the required software.
In this section you should include:
- User Requirements: Probably the most important aspect of this section.
- If there is an existing problem it would be beneficial to outline particular problems with the current system that you will have ascertained from the interviews and questionnaires.
- You MUST include a table listing all the user requirements of the new system such as ‘store customer details’ or ‘printout of last week sales’. Should be anything from 10 to 30;
- Possible approaches: A discussion of the possible approaches (including method, pros, and cons) with a conclusion justifying the chosen approach. This could be done as a letter/email to the client ideally with a reply to show user involvement;
- Software requirements: what software will the new system require? If you are producing a web-based system you can split this into client and server requirements;
How will I be marked?
(a) Definition, Investigation and Analysis [14 marks]
(i) Definition – nature of the problem to be investigated [3 marks]
A candidate should not expect the examiner to be familiar with the theory and practice in the area of the chosen system. There should be a brief description of the end user (for example, firm or business) involved; and the current methods used or details of the area for development that may form the basis of the project. A clear statement of the origins and form of any relevant data should be given. At this stage, the exact scope of the project may not be known and it may lead to the arrangement of an interview with the user.
3 marks – Excellent description with all elements present.
2 marks – Some description of both the stages of study and end user involved.
1 mark – Vague description of the end user or area for development.
(ii) Investigation and Analysis [11 marks]
This section is the ‘systems analysis’. The question is not how a system performs detailed tasks, but rather how the project progresses from the original data to the results. The candidate should describe how the user requirements were ascertained (including detailed planning of the investigation). The results of the investigation should be recorded accurately and analysed carefully to show how the candidate has arrived at the requirements specification. The specification must be detailed and should include the user, hardware and software requirements of the proposed solution.
9–11 marks – Excellent user involvement with detailed recording of the user’s requirements. All other items must be present, showing a thorough analysis of the system to be computerised. A detailed requirements specification, including full justification for the approach and hardware and software requirements, has been produced.
6–8 marks – Good user involvement and recording of the data collection methods. Most of the necessary items have been covered. However, one or two items have been omitted. A requirements specification is present with some attempt to justify the approach based on the results of the investigations but with some omissions, eg hardware and software requirements.
3–5 marks – Some evidence that an attempt has been made to identify the end-user requirements and some recording of it has been made. Attempts at some of the other items have been made. An attempt has been made to develop a requirement specification but with little attempt to justify this based on the results of the investigation.
1–2 marks – Some elements have been discussed but with little or no user involvement.