ICT IGCSE lesson 1 week 8

The Systems Life Cycle

Objective:-
Chapter 7: The Systems Life Cycle

To know about following stages of system life cycle

• 7.4 Implementation
• 7.5 Documentation
• 7.6 Evaluation

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 ICT IGCSE lesson 1 week 8
The Systems Life Cycle

7.4 Implementation

Advantages Disadvantages
Chapter 7: The Systems Life Cycle

Direct Changeover The existing system is stopped • The whole system would • If the new system fails
and replaced by the new system have been fully tested then old system is not
immediately. before it is implemented available to fall back to.
so less chance of errors.
The data that was inputted into • There may not be enough
existing system is now inputted • Costs are reduced as time to provide training
into the new system. only one system is being to employees.
used. Tasks are not
duplicated.

Parallel Running The existing and new system • If the new system does • Tasks will be duplicated as
work together for a period of not meet the data is inputted into both
time until the new system fully requirements then old systems.
takes over. system is still available.
• This will require more
Data is inputted into both • Employees can be employees which will
systems whilst they are running trained gradually how to result in more costs
at the same time. used the new system. (paying salaries) for the
employers.

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 ICT IGCSE lesson 1 week 8
The Systems Life Cycle

7.4 Implementation

Advantages Disadvantages
Chapter 7: The Systems Life Cycle

Phased The new system is gradually • You only introduce a • Time consuming as every
introduced. When parts of the new part of system if the part of the system which
Implementation new system are working at a current phase is working is implemented needs to
satisfactory level then more correctly. be evaluated.
elements of the system are • If a part of the new
phased in. system does not meet • A number of training
the requirements then sessions would be
Eventually the old system will be you can always go back required for employees
phased out over a period of to point of system which when each step of the
time. was working. new system is introduced.

Pilot Running The new system is • If the new system does • It could take a while for
piloted (trialled) in one part not meet the the whole system to be
(department) of an organisation. requirements then only implemented across all
If the pilot is successful then it one department is departments.
will be implemented across all affected.
departments. • If the system fails in one
• Training can take place department then
Example: If a new system is in one department at a modifications and further
introduced in book store which is time. Then employees training would be
part of a chain. Then eventually if could be used in other required resulting in
the system is successful it will be departments to help delays.
introduced to all of the books with training.
stores in that chain (WHS).

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 ICT IGCSE lesson 1 week 8
The Systems Life Cycle

7.5 Documentation

There are two types of documentation that should be produced when creating a new system:
• User Documentation
Chapter 7: The Systems Life Cycle

• Technical Documentation

User Documentation Technical Documentation

The user documentation is intended to The maintainers are usually technical people, who
help the users of the system. need to know exactly how the system works.

User documentation usually includes: Technical documentation usually includes:

• List of minimum hardware and • Details of the hardware and software required
software required to use the system for the system
• How to install the system • Details of data structures (data types, field
• How to start / stop the system names, etc.)
• How to use the features of the system • Details of expected inputs
• Screenshots showing the system in • Details of validation checks
typical use • Details of how data is processed
• Example inputs and outputs • Diagrams showing how data moves through
• Explanations of any error the system
messages that might be shown • Flowcharts describing how the system works
• A troubleshooting guide

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 ICT IGCSE lesson 1 week 8
The Systems Life Cycle

7.6 Evaluation

The final stage of the system life cycle is to evaluate the new system which has been
implemented in full. The purpose of the evaluation is refer back to the requirements
Chapter 7: The Systems Life Cycle

specification to see whether the new system has resolved the issues of the
previous system and met the requirements stated in the design.

1 2 3
Identify any limitations
Compare the solution Evaluate the users’
and necessary
with the original task responses to the results
improvements to the
requirements. of testing the system.
system.

• After the evaluation is complete if there are any problems or

limitations with the system from a technical or user point of view then
the system analyst will refer back to the design stage of the systems
life cycle.
• Based on the feedback necessary adjustments could be made to
improve the overall efficiency and usability of the new system

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