system

The system design specification presents the complete system design for an information system and is the basis for the presentations that complete the systems design phase. Following the presentations, the project either progresses to the systems development phase, requires additional systems design work, or is terminated.

System Design Specification

Table of Contents

1. Management summary (20 pts.)

a. Summary of requirements

b. Development to date

c. Provides a current status report

d. Summarizes project costs and benefits

e. Implementation schedule highlights

f. Any issues that management will need to address

2. System Components (40 pts.)

a. System: This section contains the complete design for the new system, including the user interface, outputs, inputs, files, databases, and network specifications. You should include source documents, report and screen layouts, DFDs, and all other relevant documentation. You also should include the requirements for all support processing, such as backup and recovery, start-up processing, and file retention. If the purchase of a software package is part of the strategy, you must include any interface information required between the package and the system you are developing. If you use a CASE design tool, you can print design diagrams and most other documentation directly from the tool.

3. System Environment (15 pts.)

a. Constraints, or conditions, affecting the system. Examples of operational constraints include transaction volumes that must be supported, data storage requirements, processing schedules, reporting deadlines, and online response times.

b. Requirements that involve operations

c. Hardware (Storage, Input / Output Devices)

d. Systems software, (Interface, Communications or data exchange)

e. Security

4. Implementation requirements (10 pts.)

a. Specify start-up processing

b. Initial data entry or acquisition

c. User training requirements

d. Software test plans

5. Time and cost estimates (15 pts.)

a. Detailed schedules

b. Cost estimates,

c. Staffing requirements

d. Total costs-to-date

6. Additional material

a. Other material can be included at the end of the system design specification. In this section, you might insert documents from earlier phases if they would be helpful to readers.