System Analysis & Design
PART 7 – Input & Output Design
BY
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI
‫ ﻋﺒﺪﷲ ﺑﻦ ﻋﺒﺪاﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺰھﺮاﻧﻲ‬.‫د‬
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
1
Input Design (1)
To input business data into a system, the system
analyst may have to design source documents, input
screens, methods and procedures for getting the
data into the system (from customer to form to data
entry clerk to computer).
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
2
Input Design (2)
Important concepts to understand before we can start
input process:
Data capture: the identification and acquisition of new
data.
Data entry: the process of translating data into a
computer-readable format.
Source document: a form used to record data about a
transaction.
Batch processing: a data processing method whereby
data about many transactions is collected as a single file
which is then processed.
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
3
Input Design
(3)
Because inputs
originate with system
users, human factors
play a significant role
in input design.
Inputs should be as
simple as possible and
be designed to reduce
the possibility of
incorrect data being
entered.
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
Input Form example
4
Input Design (4)
Input controls ensure that the data to the computer is accurate and that the
system protected against accidental and intentional errors and abuse. The
following input control guidelines are offered:
1.
Existence checks: determine whether all required fields on the input have
actually been entered.
2.
Data-type checks: ensure that the correct type of data is input. For example,
alphabetic data should not be allowed in a numeric field.
3.
Domain checks: determine whether the input data for each field falls within
the range of values defined for that field
4.
Combination checks: determine whether a known relationship between two
fields is valid.
5.
Format checks: compare data entered against the known formatting
requirements.
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
5
Input
Design (5)
 GUI controls for inputs:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
Text Box
Radio button
Check Box
List Box
Drop-Down List
Combination Box
Spin Box
Buttons
6
Input Design
(6)
Input design process is not a
complicated process. Some steps are
essential, and others are dictated by
circumstances. The steps are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
Identify system inputs and
review logical requirements.
Select appropriate GUI controls
Design, validate and test inputs
If necessary, design the source
document.
7
Output Design
(1)
Outputs are the most visible component of a
working information system. As such, they are
often the basis for the users’ and management’s
final assessment of the system’s value.
Output Form example: as a file
There are three basic types of outputs:
1.
Detailed reports: present information
with little or no filtering or restrictions.
2.
Summary reports: categorize
information for managers who don’t
want to wade through details.
3.
Exception reports: include only
exceptions to some conditions or
standard.
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
8
Output
Design (2)
Implementation methods for outputs:
1.
Printed output: the most
common medium for
computer outputs is paper
printed outputs.
2.
Screen output: the fastest
growing medium for
computer outputs is the online
display of the information on
a visual display device
3.
Point-of-sale terminals: they
are both input and output
devices. e.g., ATMs
4.
E-mail
5.
Hyperlinks: many outputs are
now web-enabled.
Output Form example: as a printable report
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
9
Output Design (3)
Output design guidelines:
The following general principles are important for output design:
1.
Computer outputs should be simple to read and interpret.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Every output should have a title
Every output should be dated and time-stamped
Reports and screens should include sections and headings to segment information
In form-based outputs, all fields should be clearly labelled
In tabular-based outputs, columns should be clearly labelled
Only required information should be printed or displayed
Information should be balanced on the report or display
Users must be able to easily find the output, move forward and backward, and exit the
report
2.
The timing of computer outputs is important
3.
The computer outputs must be acceptable to the system users who will receive
them
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
10
Output Design
(4)
Output design is not a complicated
process. Some steps are essential,
and others are dictated by
circumstances. The steps are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
Identify system outputs and
review logical requirements.
Specify physical output
requirements
As necessary, design any preprinted external forms
Design, validate and test outputs
11
End
DR ABDULLAH ALZAHRANI.
AAHZAHRANI@UQU.EDU.SA
12