Definition Of Fact Finding Techniques Information Technology Essay

Definition Of Fact Finding Techniques In arrangeion Technology raiseIntroductionRequirement analysis bed be said to aim investigation, documenting and analysing requirements of the frame. The first investigation step of the need of a dust is a major activity of occupation analysis. This is the piece of a system psycho psychoanalyst to determine the actual requirement of a system. Some sentences, system analyst whitethorn make mistake in discovering the requirements and in trying to analyse a problem. As a result, they may come up with the wrong radical in designing and implementation of a ascendant. And the solution will non be able to net the truly problem and even make a new problem in later system analysis crop. Therefore, this paper looks at one of the effective methods (fact-finding) for system analyst to function them in gathering information.Definition of Fact-finding TechniquesFact finding is exploit of collection of data and information based on proficiencys which contain take of existing documents, research, observation, questionnaires, querys, prototyping and joint requirements proviso. System analyst uses suitable fact-finding techniques to expatiate and implement the online existing system. Collecting required facts atomic number 18 actually important to apply tools in System Development deportment musical rhythm because tools female genital organ non be apply expeditiously and effectively without proper extracting from facts. Fact-finding techniques argon used in the early stage of System Development Life Cycle including system analysis phase, design and post implementation review. Facts entangle in any information system bed be time-tested based on third steps data- facts used to create effectual information, process- functions to perform the objectives and interface- designs to interact with users.Fact-finding techniquesThere are seven almost public fact-finding techniquesSampling of existing livelihood, for ms and databases look and Site visitswatching of the make believe environmentQuestionnaires interviewsPrototypingJoint requirements planningSampling of existing documentation, forms and databasesThe best mode to analyse the existing system is to collect facts from existing documentation rather than from human comes.There are various kinds of documents to collect facts from existing documents. These includee-mails, customer bearings, suggestion box notes and reports that document the problem areaproblem performance reviews, samples of completed manual forms and reports and samples of completed computerized forms and reportsvarious types of flowcharts and diagrams, program documentation and user cooking manualsSystem analyst uses take in techniques in lay out to organize the above documentation. Sampling technique is the process of combing a representative sample of documents, form and records (Bentley, Whitten, 2007). According to these authors there are dickens comm notwith standing used sampling techniques namely randomization and stratification. Randomization is the process of selecting sample data randomly. Stratification is the systematic process to deduct the departure of sampling data. We can assimilate better go outing of the system due(p) to the analysis of existing documents, forms, files related to the current system. research and Site visitsResearch and site visits, second technique, is the process of examining the problems which had previously solved by former(a) sources that can be either human or documents. To solve the requirements of problem, the analyst visits to other organization that had previously experienced for similar problems. In addition, the analyst can in addition find the information from database, reference books, case studies and Internet.Advantages of Research and Site visitsIt can save the time if the problem is already solved. police detective can lie with how different person previously solved the aforesaid(pr enominal) problems. Researchers always know the details information about the current education system.Disadvantages of Research and Site visitsNeed authority to access the appropriate source of information. As documentation of problem is not recorded, there is difficult to solve the problem.Observation of the work environmentAnother fact finding technique is observation. In this technique, system analyst participates in the organization, studies the flow of documents, applies the existing system, and interacts with the users. Observation can be a useable technique when the system analyst have user point of view. Sampling technique called work sampling is useful for observation. By using this technique, system analyst can know how employees spend their days.QuestionnairesQuestionnaires are also one of useful fact-finding technique to collect information from large number of users. Users fill up the questions which are given by the system analyst and then give the answers put up t o the system analyst. Questionnaires can save time because system analyst does not need to interview each of users and if the time of interview is short, questionnaires are much useful. To fulfil the requirements of the system objective, system analyst should have the ability to clearly influence the design and frame of questionnaires.There are two types of questionnairesFree-format questionnairesIn free-format questionnaires, users are allowed to answer questions freely without immediate response. The results are also useful in learning about feelings, opinions, and experiences of the respondents.Fixed-format questionnairesThe purpose of fixed-format questionnaires is to gather information from predefined format of questions. Users are allowed to choose the result from the given answers. There are three types of fixed-format questions multiple-choice questions (Yes or No type), rating questions (Strongly agree, Agree, No opinion, Disagree, Strongly disagree), be questions (numb ering concord to the preferences).Advantages of QuestionnairesPeople can fill the forms and give answers freely to the analyst. This technique is inexpensive. Users are more(prenominal) willing to response real answer as they do not need to give their personal information. Responses can be calculated and analysed quickly.Disadvantages of QuestionnairesIncomplete answers will be received from users. Analyst cannot take down the body language of user responses. Analyst has no chance to define vague or incomplete responses. Good questionnaires are difficult to prepare.InterviewsInterview is the most commonly used technique to collect information from the face-to-face interviews. The purpose of interview is to find, verify, clarify facts, motivate end-users involved, identify requirements and gather ideas and opinions. The role of interview includes interviewer who is system analyst and interviewee who are system owner or user. Interviewing technique needs good communication skills for interaction between system analyst and user.There are two types of interviews.Unstructured interviewsAn interview that is conducted with only a general goal or subject in judicial decision and with few, if any, specific questions (Bentley, Whitten, 2007). Open-ended questions type is used in unstructured interview that allows user to answer freely in an appropriate way. structure interviewsStructured interview is an interview which contains predefined set of questions. In structured interview, close-ended questions type is used to limit answers to specify choices, short and direct responses from the interviewees.Advantages of InterviewsBy motivating interviewees, they have confident to answer the questions more effectively. System analyst can visualise the more feedbacks from the interviewees. System analyst can prepare questions for interviewees to be more suitable or exchange the questions for alwaysy individual. System analyst can know the nonverbal communications of inter viewees by perceiving the body movements and facial expression.Disadvantages of InterviewsInterviewing is time consuming and costly mechanism in fact-finding technique. Moreover, the communication skills of the system analyst affect the success of interview.PrototypingAnother fact-finding technique is know as prototyping which collects the requirement facts of the system. Prototyping is sampling a small working mannequin and it is more related to pre-design of the information system. The implementation of prototyping can be authentic in earlier stage of system education life rack when analyzing the facts. The process of prototyping facts in order to specify the users requirements is also known as discovery prototyping.Advantages of PrototypingUsers and developers are able to test and understand the system in advance before final implementation. It also can make and determine development of the system before applying high development costs in the information system. In addition, it is a kind of training mechanism. Prototyping require less time on fact-finding and it is useful in defining the constant and consistent requirements.Disadvantages of PrototypingTraining of developers is a requirement in prototyping. Sometimes users can misunderstand the performance, reliability and features of prototype as real results. Therefore, users need to train to know that prototype only covers system functionality and it is not a complete system. Development cost and schedule may change in prototyping.Joint requirements planningJRP is the structured group work concussion to identify, analyze problems and define the requirements of system. JRP is becoming increasingly common in systems planning and systems analysis to obtain group consensus on problems, objectives and requirements (Bentley and Whitten 2007). JRP can tabulate the facts efficiently in a short time and it can also substitute in the place of numerous and separate interviews. JRP contains different participan ts with each narrow roles to perform structured meeting. JRP participants include sponsor, facilitator, users and managers, scribes and IT staff. Sponsor is an individual in covering fire management, who has full authority to decide who will be participants, time and fix of JRP session. The role of facilitator is to lead JRP session, motivate participants, solve conflicts and meet the requirements of meeting during the JRP session. Users in JRP session are answerable for rules and requirement of business, prototype, and satisfactory decisions. And Managers are accountable for projects, schedules and costs and training requirements. Scribes job is to record everything discussed in the meeting. IT staff responsible for models and documentation concerning with facts during the discussion.Advantages of JRPJRP is formed different individuals with various roles and covers both in users and in management levels. JRP saves time to develop systems as it is not required person-to-person interviewing of each participant within the organization. When JRP incorporates prototyping as a means for verificatory requirements and obtaining design approvals, the benefits of prototyping are realized (Bentley and Whitten 2007).Disadvantages of JRPExtensive training is required for JRP as it is a group form. Active participation of all individuals will results the solution of JRP sessions.Using Questionnaires in consumption of Automated bank clerk mouldIn our paper we applied Questionnaires technique for problems that are found in Usage of Automated vote counter gondola. The following questionnaire is designed for usage of Bank automatonlike Teller Machine. We planned two parts for our questionnaire first part is put in the demographic characteristics of users and second part is collecting the user feed backs according to our questions.Section A1. Gender Male Female2. Age 15-20 21-40 41-50 in a higher place3. Occupation Student Civil Servant Business Others4. Types of account nest egg Current OthersSection BNo.Questions for Usage of Automatic Teller MachineYesNo1Do you use Automatic Teller Machine for your banking Transaction?2Can you operate ATM with reliever?3Did Automatic Teller Machine enable you perform effect for 24 hours?4Can you access Automatic Teller Machine at any location?5Are you aware of colony of utility bills through ATM?6Are you aware of making fund transfer through ATM?7Are you flourishing with ATM Usage for Banking Transaction?8Is Automatic Teller Machine transaction charges Affordable?9Is Automatic Teller Machine communicate reliable?10Did your Automatic Teller Machine card ever get trap during Transaction?11Did ATM ever debit your account without issuing out physical cash?12Is your complaint attended to promptly?ConclusionIn this paper we discussed about the seven fact-finding techniques based on studying our text book and some articles. During our assignment, we become to understand that if the system analyst knows det ails of fact-finding techniques, they can get knowledge of gathering the required information to develop the current system.