GCSE ICT OCR revision notes - 5.4 Index Page

Note: This content is largely covered by the Project 2 task.

5.4 PROBLEM SOLVING USING ICT

Content:

• Analysis
• Design
• Development, Testing and Implementation
• Documentation
• Evaluation

5.4.1 Analysis

• Researching a situation using observation, interviews and/or questionnaires and/or data capture forms
• Recording information
• Identifying problems
• Establishing the information, input, output and processing required
• Identify suitable hardware and software for developing a new system

Learning Outcomes

Candidates should be able to:

1. identify methods by which to investigate the problem including questionnaires, data capture forms, observation and structured interviews;
2. record information/data;
3. analyse the data and tasks carried out, identifying problems with the current methods and procedures;
4. work out the user and information requirements necessary to resolve the identified problems;
5. specify the required hardware and software;
6. document the system requirements for later reference during evaluation.

5.4.2 Design

• Designs for documents and files
• Design forms/inputs
• Design outputs
• Validation
• Use of diagrams to describe system processing

Learning Outcomes

Candidates should be able to:

1. design and document data capture forms and screen layouts;
2. design and document report layouts, screen displays and other forms of output (e.g. audio output);
3. specify any verification and validation required and interactive feedback required if any data is input in error;
4. design the required data/file structures necessary to solve the inefficiencies/problems indicated in the requirements specification;
5. design the new methods/procedures/processing

5.4.3 Development, Testing and Implementation

• Create the required data/file structures
• Create inputs/outputs and set up any validation specified in the design
• Designing test data to test normal, abnormal and extreme circumstances
• Test the system
• Specify implementation method: direct changeover, phased implementation or parallel running

Learning Outcomes

Candidates should be able to:

1. develop the data structures of the design using the appropriate features of a software package;
2. develop the input/outputs and validation checks for their user using the appropriate features of the chosen software;
3. identify, develop and document a test strategy for the design, ensuring that normal, abnormal and extreme circumstances are tested;
4. test the new system, illustrating how improvements are carried out as a result of testing;
5. produce detailed and annotated output from the testing to show how the system works;
6. devise a strategy for system implementation.

5.4.4 Documentation

• The purpose and limitations of the system
• The hardware and software requirements of the system
• How to use the system
• Input and output formats
• Sample runs
• Error messages

Learning Outcomes

Candidates should be able to:

1. describe the purpose of the system and its limitations to the user;
2. describe the hardware and software required to run the system;
3. describe how to use the system, illustrating the system in use by providing annotated output;
4. describe the inputs, validation and any outputs from the system;
5. produce a section on troubleshooting errors for the user;
6. produce documented evidence that the system works as part of the project report.

5.4.5 Evaluation

• Comparing the solution with the original design
• Conclusions drawn from the testing and any modifications and improvements made

Learning Outcomes

Candidates should be able to:

1. evaluate the final system against the criteria described in the requirements specification;
2. evaluate the users’ responses to testing the system or end results of testing;
3. identify the good and bad points of the final system highlighting any limitations and necessary extensions to the system, indicating how the extensions could be carried out.