KEMBAR78
Problem solving methodology | KEY
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                     Information Technology
                                           Units 1 - 4




Adapted from VCAA Study Design -
Information Technology 2011 - 2014                        Byron Mitchell, November 2010
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis    Design         Development   Evaluation

   Solution Requirements
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis     Design        Development   Evaluation

   Solution Requirements


    Solution Constraints
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis     Design        Development   Evaluation

   Solution Requirements


    Solution Constraints


    Scope of Solution
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                       Analysis

                            Solution Requirements

Determining the solution requirements.

  • What information does the solution have to provide?
  • What data is needed to produce the information?
  • What functions does the solution have to provide?
These requirements can be classified as being functional, namely what the solution is
required to do, and non-functional, which describes the attributes the solution should
possess, such as user friendliness, reliability, portability, robustness, maintainability.

Tools to assist in determining the solution requirements include context diagrams, data
flow diagrams and use cases.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis     Design        Development   Evaluation

   Solution Requirements


    Solution Constraints


    Scope of Solution
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                          Analysis

                                Solution Constraints

Identifying the constraints on the solution.

  • What conditions need to be considered when designing a solution?
Typical constraints include cost, speed of processing, requirements of users, legal
requirements, security, compatibility, level of expertise, capacity, availability of equipment.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis     Design        Development   Evaluation

   Solution Requirements


    Solution Constraints


    Scope of Solution
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                     Analysis

                              Scope of Solution

Determining the scope of the solution.

  • What can the solution do?
  • What can’t the solution do?
  • What are the benefits of the solution to the user?
The scope states the boundaries or parameters of the solution. Benefits can be stated in
terms of their efficiency and effectiveness.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                              Analysis
   Analysis typically answers the ‘what questions’

     • What will solve a problem, given particular circumstances?
     • What benefits will the solution bring to the user?
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design        Development   Evaluation

                    Solution Design
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design        Development   Evaluation

                    Solution Design


               Evaluation Criteria
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                        Design
                                 Solution Design

Planning how the solution will function, and the appearance of the resulting
information. The solution design typically involves identifying what specific data is
required and how the data will be named, structured, validated and manipulated.

Typical design tools for this purpose include:

  •   data dictionaries and data structure
  •   diagrams, input-process-output (IPO) charts,
  •   flowcharts,
  •   pseudocode,
  •   object descriptions.

                                                                                       continued...
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                     Design
                              Solution Design

Solution design also involves, where appropriate, showing how the various components
of a solution relate to one another, for example;
   • web pages,
   • style sheets,
   • scripts,
   • queries,
   • forms,
   • reports,
   • modules,
   • procedures,
   • functions.

                                                                             continued...
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                      Design
                               Solution Design

Typical design tools used to show relationships include;
  • storyboards,
  • site maps,
  • entity-relationship diagrams,
  • data flow diagrams,
  • structure charts,
  • hierarchy charts,
  • context diagrams,
  • user cases.


                                                           continued...
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                        Design
                              Solution Design

Planning the solution also involves determining the appearance of information
generated from a solution. This typically involves;

•   identifying the position of text,
•   images and graphics,
•   font sizes,
•   colours and text enhancements.

 Design tools used for this purpose include:

• layout diagrams,
• annotated diagrams / mocks up.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design        Development   Evaluation

                    Solution Design


               Evaluation Criteria
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                       Design

                              Evaluation Criteria
Determining the evaluation criteria.

  • What measures will be used to judge whether or not the solution requirements
     have been met?

These criteria should relate to the solution requirements identified in the analysis stage.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development      Evaluation

                       Manipulation (coding)
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development      Evaluation

                       Manipulation (coding)

                       Validation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development      Evaluation

                       Manipulation (coding)

                       Validation

                       Testing
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development      Evaluation

                       Manipulation (coding)

                       Validation

                       Testing

                       Documentation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                  Development

                            Manipulation (coding)

Electronically manipulating (or coding) data to ‘build’ or create the solution following
initial designs. Where appropriate, internal documentation is also written, which
documents the functioning of the solution.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development      Evaluation

                       Manipulation (coding)

                       Validation

                       Testing

                       Documentation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                 Development

                                    Validation


Validation to check for the reasonableness of data being input. Validation can be both
manual and electronic. Proofreading is a manual technique and it occurs when data is
entered directly into the solution and remains fixed, such as in a web page. When the
validation process has been built into the solution (electronic technique), then its
effectiveness is determined through the testing activity.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development      Evaluation

                       Manipulation (coding)

                       Validation

                       Testing

                       Documentation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                  Development

                                       Testing


Testing whether the solution does what it was intended to do. This activity typically
involves:
− establishing what tests will be conducted
− determining what test data, if any, will be used
− determining expected results
− conducting the test
− recording the actual results
− correcting any identified errors.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development      Evaluation

                       Manipulation (coding)

                       Validation

                       Testing

                       Documentation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                              Development

                             Documentation

Writing documentation to support the use of the solution.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation

                                     Strategy
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation

                                     Strategy


                                     Report
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                     Evaluation

                                       Strategy
Determining a strategy for finding out the extent to which the solution meets the
required needs.Typically this would include specifying a timeline, outlining what data will
be collected and by what methods and techniques, and how the data relates to the criteria,
which were developed in the designing stage.
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY


Analysis   Design   Development   Evaluation

                                     Strategy


                                     Report
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY
                                    Evaluation

                                       Report

Reporting on the extent to which the solution meets the requirements of the user. It
usually takes place after the solution has been used by the user/client and is based on
the criteria developed in the designing stage.

Problem solving methodology

  • 1.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Information Technology Units 1 - 4 Adapted from VCAA Study Design - Information Technology 2011 - 2014 Byron Mitchell, November 2010
  • 2.
  • 3.
  • 4.
  • 5.
  • 6.
  • 7.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation
  • 8.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation
  • 9.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Solution Requirements
  • 10.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Solution Requirements Solution Constraints
  • 11.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Solution Requirements Solution Constraints Scope of Solution
  • 12.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Solution Requirements Determining the solution requirements. • What information does the solution have to provide? • What data is needed to produce the information? • What functions does the solution have to provide? These requirements can be classified as being functional, namely what the solution is required to do, and non-functional, which describes the attributes the solution should possess, such as user friendliness, reliability, portability, robustness, maintainability. Tools to assist in determining the solution requirements include context diagrams, data flow diagrams and use cases.
  • 13.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Solution Requirements Solution Constraints Scope of Solution
  • 14.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Solution Constraints Identifying the constraints on the solution. • What conditions need to be considered when designing a solution? Typical constraints include cost, speed of processing, requirements of users, legal requirements, security, compatibility, level of expertise, capacity, availability of equipment.
  • 15.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Solution Requirements Solution Constraints Scope of Solution
  • 16.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Scope of Solution Determining the scope of the solution. • What can the solution do? • What can’t the solution do? • What are the benefits of the solution to the user? The scope states the boundaries or parameters of the solution. Benefits can be stated in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness.
  • 17.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Analysis typically answers the ‘what questions’ • What will solve a problem, given particular circumstances? • What benefits will the solution bring to the user?
  • 18.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation
  • 19.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation
  • 20.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Solution Design
  • 21.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Solution Design Evaluation Criteria
  • 22.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Design Solution Design Planning how the solution will function, and the appearance of the resulting information. The solution design typically involves identifying what specific data is required and how the data will be named, structured, validated and manipulated. Typical design tools for this purpose include: • data dictionaries and data structure • diagrams, input-process-output (IPO) charts, • flowcharts, • pseudocode, • object descriptions. continued...
  • 23.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Design Solution Design Solution design also involves, where appropriate, showing how the various components of a solution relate to one another, for example; • web pages, • style sheets, • scripts, • queries, • forms, • reports, • modules, • procedures, • functions. continued...
  • 24.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Design Solution Design Typical design tools used to show relationships include; • storyboards, • site maps, • entity-relationship diagrams, • data flow diagrams, • structure charts, • hierarchy charts, • context diagrams, • user cases. continued...
  • 25.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Design Solution Design Planning the solution also involves determining the appearance of information generated from a solution. This typically involves; • identifying the position of text, • images and graphics, • font sizes, • colours and text enhancements. Design tools used for this purpose include: • layout diagrams, • annotated diagrams / mocks up.
  • 26.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Solution Design Evaluation Criteria
  • 27.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Design Evaluation Criteria Determining the evaluation criteria. • What measures will be used to judge whether or not the solution requirements have been met? These criteria should relate to the solution requirements identified in the analysis stage.
  • 28.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation
  • 29.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation
  • 30.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Manipulation (coding)
  • 31.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Manipulation (coding) Validation
  • 32.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Manipulation (coding) Validation Testing
  • 33.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Manipulation (coding) Validation Testing Documentation
  • 34.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Development Manipulation (coding) Electronically manipulating (or coding) data to ‘build’ or create the solution following initial designs. Where appropriate, internal documentation is also written, which documents the functioning of the solution.
  • 35.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Manipulation (coding) Validation Testing Documentation
  • 36.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Development Validation Validation to check for the reasonableness of data being input. Validation can be both manual and electronic. Proofreading is a manual technique and it occurs when data is entered directly into the solution and remains fixed, such as in a web page. When the validation process has been built into the solution (electronic technique), then its effectiveness is determined through the testing activity.
  • 37.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Manipulation (coding) Validation Testing Documentation
  • 38.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Development Testing Testing whether the solution does what it was intended to do. This activity typically involves: − establishing what tests will be conducted − determining what test data, if any, will be used − determining expected results − conducting the test − recording the actual results − correcting any identified errors.
  • 39.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Manipulation (coding) Validation Testing Documentation
  • 40.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Development Documentation Writing documentation to support the use of the solution.
  • 41.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation
  • 42.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation
  • 43.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Strategy
  • 44.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Strategy Report
  • 45.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Evaluation Strategy Determining a strategy for finding out the extent to which the solution meets the required needs.Typically this would include specifying a timeline, outlining what data will be collected and by what methods and techniques, and how the data relates to the criteria, which were developed in the designing stage.
  • 46.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Analysis Design Development Evaluation Strategy Report
  • 47.
    PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY Evaluation Report Reporting on the extent to which the solution meets the requirements of the user. It usually takes place after the solution has been used by the user/client and is based on the criteria developed in the designing stage.