Requirements Documentation
To explain the scope of the system, the requirements definition lists the functional and nonfunctional requirements in the outline format below. This outline will show the expectations of the system proposed.
Functional Requirements:
1. Student Data Management
1.1 The system will allow the user to enter and record student data and program information.
1.2 The system will allow the user to view and analyze student data and program information.
1.3 They system will the user to edit and make changes to student data and program information.
2. Program Management
2.1 The system will allow the user to select programs for each student.
2.2 The system will enable the user to enter information on selected programs specific to each student.
2.3 The system will enable the user to select specific options on student’s education plan (attend on-
campus or online, apply or transfer to other program dates, new or current student, etc).
3. Search and Browse
3.1 The system will allow the user to search students by programs, new or current students, placement
scores, etc.
3.2 The system will allow the user to browse students by categories in system.
4. Promote
4.1 They system will keep track of students in specific programs, completion or degree dates, and
number of students attending on-campus and will use this information to determine what program
to promote and advertise.
4.2 The marketing department can work on promotional initiatives throughout the school year.
4.3 Based on student enrollment in certain programs, decisions can be made on what programs to
market heavier.
Nonfunctional Requirements:
1. Operational
1.1 The system should run on laptop device and mobile device used by the user.
1.2 The system will run on any web browser.
1.3 The system should save automatically after every entry.
1.4 The system should connect to printers wirelessly.
2. Performance
2.1 They system should support one user, the Director of the Dakota College office.
3. Security
3.1 Student information will be secured and protected.
3.2 Only the user and any advising faculty approved may use this system.
4. Cultural and Political
4.1 No special cultural and political requirements are expected.
Elicitation Requirements
For the information system proposed, the best elicitation technique in gathering requirements for the system is through an interview and observation.
Interview
The five steps to interview process will be followed. We will select the interviewee, design interview questions, prepare for the interview, conduct the interview and do the post-interview follow-up. For this information system, there will be only one user, the Director of Dakota College, therefore, will be the only person who will be interviewed. Below, are the interview questions designed to find the most precise and useful information in building this information system. It will include a combination of closed-ended, open-ended, and probing questions.
Interview Document to Gather Information:
Types of Questions |
Questions to Ask |
Closed-Ended Questions |
How many students due you meet with each day during registration time? |
How much time do you spend with each student? |
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What information do you collect from each student? |
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What information do you need in the information system about programs? |
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Open-Ended Questions |
What is the most important and meaningful information you collect? |
In your current system, what kind of information is not being captured that will be useful in your student analysis? |
|
Probing Questions |
Can you explain what you will do with the information you capture? |
Why is the program information so important in this information system? |
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How do you plan on using this information for analysis? |
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What are the biggest issues or problems with your current tracking system? |
Once the interview questions are planned, we will prepare for the interview, conduct the interview, and then do a post-interview follow-up that will report on the interview notes and information collected over the course of the interview.
Observation
It will be suggested that the analyst do an observation of the user meeting and advising a student through two to three advising sessions, which will be a powerful tool to gain insight in to the current system/process being used and to gather a better understanding of what the new information system should be. This will show the analyst the reality of the situation.
The analyst will observe the advising process and system being used as it functions. This observation should be used to supplement the interview.
Document Requirements Interview Memo
Interview Notes Approved by: Victoria Edwards |
Person Interviewed: Penny Belgarde, Director of Dakota College on MiSU campus
Interviewer: Victoria Edwards
Purpose of Interview: · Understand student data input and data processed for analysis. · Determine information requirements for student advising and tracking of student programs.
Summary of interview: The advisor or user meets with many students (100-110 students) in a small amount of time. The information gathered on each student is massive, which needs to be organized, tracked, and easily accessible for efficiency and accuracy. The amount of information collected in the initial advising meeting is a lot and each semester after more information will be added or edited. Data collected will be some basic demographic information, but most data will be specific testing data for placement into remedial English or Math courses, program information, program tracking information, and estimates on transfer or application dates to other programs.
The information about programs need to be the following:
Passport program: Which MiSU degree program the student chooses once they complete the Passport program, what general education requirements the MiSU program requires, what the estimated application and transfer date to MiSU will be.
Dakota Nursing Program (LPN & RN Program): The pre-requisite requirements to be ready to apply to the program, a checklist to all pre-requisite requirements to track what has been completed, and an estimated application and program start date.
AAS & Certificate Degree Programs: A selection of all AAS and Certificate programs offered through Dakota College on the MiSU campus. The user would like to see a link or subcategory to the curriculum of each program for quick access and tracking of student semesters and grades.
The interviewee also explained the most meaningful information is all information, as each advising meeting, all information is reviewed and used in progressing student’s education plan. Specific information on tracking programs and enrollment in programs and courses, will help determine marketing and outreach efforts. In analyzing student data and program information, the user will be able to determine where to put efforts in to advertising, promotion of low enrollment programs, and planning of adjunct instructors from semester to semester.
The biggest problems with the current tracking system being used by the user is it is a scattered system using an excel spreadsheet and the inside of the students file folder. The information is not gathered and takes times to gather information for student advising.
Open Items: · Get copy of spreadsheet being used for advising and tracking. · Obtain an old student folder with user notes. |