3/31/24, 9:53 PM Input / Output & Forms Design

Input / Output & Forms Design

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Input Design
In an information system, input is the raw data that is processed to produce output. During
the input design, the developers must consider the input devices such as PC, MICR, OMR, etc.

Therefore, the quality of system input determines the quality of system output. Welldesigned
input forms and screens have following properties −

It should serve specific purpose effectively such as storing, recording, and retrieving
the information.
It ensures proper completion with accuracy.
It should be easy to fill and straightforward.
It should focus on user’s attention, consistency, and simplicity.
All these objectives are obtained using the knowledge of basic design principles
regarding −

What are the inputs needed for the system?

How end users respond to different elements of forms and screens.

Objectives for Input Design

The objectives of input design are −

To design data entry and input procedures

To reduce input volume
To design source documents for data capture or devise other data capture methods
To design input data records, data entry screens, user interface screens, etc.
To use validation checks and develop effective input controls.

Data Input Methods

It is important to design appropriate data input methods to prevent errors while entering
data. These methods depend on whether the data is entered by customers in forms manually
and later entered by data entry operators, or data is directly entered by users on the PCs.

A system should prevent user from making mistakes by −

Clear form design by leaving enough space for writing legibly.

Clear instructions to fill form.

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Clear form design.

Reducing key strokes.
Immediate error feedback.

Some of the popular data input methods are −

Batch input method (Offline data input method)

Online data input method
Computer readable forms
Interactive data input

Input Integrity Controls

Input integrity controls include a number of methods to eliminate common input errors by
end-users. They also include checks on the value of individual fields; both for format and the
completeness of all inputs.

Audit trails for data entry and other system operations are created using transaction logs
which gives a record of all changes introduced in the database to provide security and means
of recovery in case of any failure.

Output Design
The design of output is the most important task of any system. During output design,
developers identify the type of outputs needed, and consider the necessary output controls
and prototype report layouts.

Objectives of Output Design

The objectives of input design are −

To develop output design that serves the intended purpose and eliminates the
production of unwanted output.
To develop the output design that meets the end users requirements.
To deliver the appropriate quantity of output.
To form the output in appropriate format and direct it to the right person.
To make the output available on time for making good decisions.

Let us now go through various types of outputs −

External Outputs
Manufacturers create and design external outputs for printers. External outputs enable the
system to leave the trigger actions on the part of their recipients or confirm actions to their
recipients.

Some of the external outputs are designed as turnaround outputs, which are implemented as
a form and re-enter the system as an input.

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3/31/24, 9:53 PM Input / Output & Forms Design

Internal outputs
Internal outputs are present inside the system, and used by end-users and managers. They
support the management in decision making and reporting.

There are three types of reports produced by management information −

Detailed Reports − They contain present information which has almost no filtering or
restriction generated to assist management planning and control.
Summary Reports − They contain trends and potential problems which are
categorized and summarized that are generated for managers who do not want details.
Exception Reports − They contain exceptions, filtered data to some condition or
standard before presenting it to the manager, as information.

Output Integrity Controls

Output integrity controls include routing codes to identify the receiving system, and
verification messages to confirm successful receipt of messages that are handled by network
protocol.

Printed or screen-format reports should include a date/time for report printing and the data.
Multipage reports contain report title or description, and pagination. Pre-printed forms usually
include a version number and effective date.

Forms Design
Both forms and reports are the product of input and output design and are business document
consisting of specified data. The main difference is that forms provide fields for data input but
reports are purely used for reading. For example, order forms, employment and credit
application, etc.

During form designing, the designers should know −

who will use them

where would they be delivered
the purpose of the form or report

During form design, automated design tools enhance the developer’s ability to
prototype forms and reports and present them to end users for evaluation.

Objectives of Good Form Design

A good form design is necessary to ensure the following −

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To keep the screen simple by giving proper sequence, information, and clear captions.
To meet the intended purpose by using appropriate forms.
To ensure the completion of form with accuracy.
To keep the forms attractive by using icons, inverse video, or blinking cursors etc.
To facilitate navigation.

Types of Forms
Flat Forms

It is a single copy form prepared manually or by a machine and printed on a paper. For
additional copies of the original, carbon papers are inserted between copies.
It is a simplest and inexpensive form to design, print, and reproduce, which uses less
volume.

Unit Set/Snap out Forms

These are papers with one-time carbons interleaved into unit sets for either
handwritten or machine use.
Carbons may be either blue or black, standard grade medium intensity. Generally, blue
carbons are best for handwritten forms while black carbons are best for machine use.

Continuous strip/Fanfold Forms

These are multiple unit forms joined in a continuous strip with perforations between
each pair of forms.
It is a less expensive method for large volume use.

No Carbon Required (NCR) Paper

They use carbonless papers which have two chemical coatings (capsules), one on the
face and the other on the back of a sheet of paper.
When pressure is applied, the two capsules interact and create an image.

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