Case 3 focuses on capturing system requirements, an important component of any model of the software development process. It is important to remember that the purpose of requirements is to specify the problem that the system is intended to solve, leaving the details of the solution to the system designers. Formulating a useful set of requirements will require working closely with the following stakeholders.

Customers and users, so that everyone understands the requirements and their goals

Designers, so that they can construct a good design from the requirements specification

Testers, so that they can write test scripts to evaluate whether the implementation meets the requirements

Documentation writers, so that they can write user manuals from the specifications

Case Assignment Deliverables and Questions

Module 3 overview gives specifications to identify the functional, data, and performance requirements and how these are components of the requirements document. Use those guidelines in Table 3-3 in the Module Overview as a checklist to write a set of requirements for the Millennial Library.

Write 3-5 requirements in short sentences for each of the functional, data, and performance requirements. In addition, answer the following Case questions. Write 3-4 pages excluding cover and reference pages to document the Millennial Library requirements and questions for the Case.

The Millennial Library Case

The Millennial Library (Schwalbe, 2014) is an application typical to information systems. Software is required to maintain information about books held in a library. The system is intended for use by the library staff. The software must run on standard networked PCs.

(Note: This exercise was extracted from Schwalbe (2014) textbook, but there is no need to look for the textbook as the assignment and questions are given here.)

There may be up to 20 PCs on the library network. For each book, the following information is held in the computer:

title

author

ISBN

year

borrower identification (if on loan)

date of issue (if on loan).

The computer should be able to store information on up to 100,000 books.

The computer system should provide facilities to:

issue a book to a borrower

receive a book returned by a borrower

create information about a newly acquired book

display a list of the books on loan to a particular borrower.

The facilities should be accessible via a GUI.

The computer must respond within one second to any request.

The system should provide a search facility to find out whether the library possesses a particular book.

With suitable security precautions, the system will initialize the library information so that it contains zero books.

When a book becomes overdue, the system should display appropriate information.

The system should provide secure access by only the library staff.

The software must be delivered by such-and-such a date and cost no more than $100,000. It must be fully documented and easy to maintain.

Who are the stakeholders in determining system requirements, and how does their viewpoint influence the process?

How are non-technical factors such as political, social, and organizational issues taken into account?

Assignment Expectations

You will be particularly assessed on:

Precision: You see what the module is all about and structure your paper accordingly. You draw on a range of sources and establish your understanding of the historical context of the question. You carry out the exercise as assigned or carefully explain the limitations that prevented your completing some parts. (Running out of time is not generally considered an adequate limitation.)

Support for assertions: You use examples, citations (especially from the required readings), and elaboration to support assertions. You provide evidence that you have read the required background materials.

Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic. You see what the module is all about and structure your paper accordingly.

Critical thinking: The paper incorporates your reactions, examples, and applications of the material to business and illustrates your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts. It is important to read the "Required Reading" in the Background material plus other sources you find relevant.

Breadth and depth: You provide informed commentary and analysis-simply repeating what your sources say does not constitute an adequate paper. The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning outcomes of the module.

Overall quality: You apply the professional language and terminology of systems design and analysis correctly and in context; you are familiar with this language and use it appropriately. Your paper is well written and the references, where needed, are properly cited and listed.