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Fact-Finding Techniques

The document discusses fact-finding techniques used in database application development including examining documentation, interviewing, observing operations, research, and questionnaires. It also provides an example of applying these techniques to understand requirements for a property rental company database system.

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hassanahmadha000
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© © All Rights Reserved
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19 views

Fact-Finding Techniques

The document discusses fact-finding techniques used in database application development including examining documentation, interviewing, observing operations, research, and questionnaires. It also provides an example of applying these techniques to understand requirements for a property rental company database system.

Uploaded by

hassanahmadha000
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 30

Fact-finding Techniques

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 1


Chapter 10 - Objectives

• When fact-finding techniques are used in the


database application lifecycle.

• The types of facts collected in each stage of the


database application lifecycle.

• The types of documentation produced in each


stage of the database application lifecycle.

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 2


Objectives

• The most commonly used fact-finding techniques.


• How to use each fact-finding technique and the
advantages and disadvantages of each.
• About a property rental company called
DreamHome.
• How to apply fact-finding techniques to the early
stages of the database application lifecycle.

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 3


Fact-finding techniques

• It is critical to capture the necessary facts to build


the required database application.

• These facts are captured using fact-finding


techniques.

• The formal process of using techniques such as


interviews and questionnaires to collect facts
about systems, requirements, and preferences.

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 4


When Are Fact-Finding Techniques Used?

• Fact-finding used throughout the database


application lifecycle. Crucial to the early stages
including database planning, system definition,
and requirements collection and analysis stages.

• Enables developer to learn about the terminology,


problems, opportunities, constraints,
requirements, and priorities of the organization
and the users of the system.

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 5


Examples of data captured and documentation
produced during the database application lifecycle

© Pearson
Education Limited 6
1995, 2005
Fact-Finding Techniques

• A database developer normally uses several fact-


finding techniques during a single database project
including:
• examining documentation
• interviewing
• observing the organization in operation
• research
• questionnaires

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 7


Examining documentation

• Can be useful
• to gain some insight as to how the need for a database
arose.
• to identify the part of the organization associated with
the problem.
• To understand the current system.

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 8


Examples of types of documentation that
should be examined

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 9


Interviewing

• Most commonly used, and normally most useful,


fact-finding technique. Enables collection of
information from individuals face-to-face.

• Objectives include finding out facts, verifying facts,


clarifying facts, generating enthusiasm, getting the
end-user involved, identifying requirements, and
gathering ideas and opinions.

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 10


Advantages and disadvantages of
interviewing

11
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005
Interviewing

• There are two types of interviews unstructured


and structured.

• Open-ended questions allow the interviewee to


respond in any way that seems appropriate.

• Closed-ended questions restrict answers to either


specific choices or short, direct responses.

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 12


Observing the Organization in Operation

• An effective technique for understanding a system.

• Possible to either participate in, or watch, a person


perform activities to learn about the system.

• Useful when validity of data collected is in


question or when the complexity of certain
aspects of the system prevents a clear explanation
by the end-users.

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 13


Advantages and disadvantages of using
observation

14
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005
Research

• Useful to research the application and problem.

• Use computer trade journals, reference books, and


the Internet (including user groups and bulletin
boards).

• Provide information on how others have solved


similar problems, plus whether or not software
packages exist to solve or even partially solve the
problem.
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 15
Advantages and disadvantages of using
research

16
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005
Questionnaires

• Conduct surveys through questionnaires, which


are special-purpose documents that allow facts to
be gathered from a large number of people while
maintaining some control over their responses.

• There are two types of questions, namely free-


format and fixed-format.

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 17


Advantages and disadvantages of using
questionnaires

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 18


Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 19


Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 20


Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

21
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005
Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 22


Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

23
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005
Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

24
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005
Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

25
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005
Mission Statement for DreamHome Database System

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 26


Mission Objectives for DreamHome Database System

27
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005
System Boundary for DreamHome Database System

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 28


Major User Views for DreamHome Database System

29
© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005
Cross-reference of user views with main types of data
used by each

© Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005 30

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