INFO 627
Assignment #1 – Problem Analysis
This assignment must be done individually. The due date is on the syllabus.
1. Pick two of the following cases:
A. A toaster
B. A sewing machine
C. Your next means of transportation
D. Your dream home
E. The President of the United States
For each of the two cases chosen, define the following and explain your choices:
a) Define two Needs
b) Define four Functions
c) Define four Requirements
d) Extra credit: Define two Specifications. Cite sources where appropriate.
2. Pick one of the following systems.
A. A system for asynchronous learning (such as the Blackboard or WebCT systems used by Drexel).
B. A system for tracking the testing and approval of drugs developed by a pharmaceutical company.
C. A sales management system for a chain of car dealerships
D. A system for detecting terrorists by analyzing sales trends (as done by the Department of Homeland Security).
For that system, suppose you are a contractor brought in to help create that new system, and define the following:
a) The sponsor
b) The subject matter experts
c) The end users
d) The administrators
e) The developer
Discuss your choices, and any assumptions needed.
3. For one of the systems A. through D. described in question 2, identify the types of users of that system, and major external interfaces or systems (if any). Produce and show a system diagram with actors (like 1st Ed. Figure 6-6, or lecture 2, slide 17), and provide a brief narrative description of each actor and external system. A context diagram is another name for this type of diagram. Be sure the system boundary is clearly defined.
Extra credit: Show and define subsystems.