Requirements modeling is an initial process similar to an artist's rough sketch where high-level details of a proposed system are represented. This allows analysts to determine a project's feasibility by estimating costs, timelines, and resources needed at a high level. Sample reports and prototypes provide options for users to interact with and provide feedback to further define requirements. Requirements modeling brings a user's idea to life at a conceptual level for evaluation before full system design.
Requirements modeling is an initial process similar to an artist's rough sketch where high-level details of a proposed system are represented. This allows analysts to determine a project's feasibility by estimating costs, timelines, and resources needed at a high level. Sample reports and prototypes provide options for users to interact with and provide feedback to further define requirements. Requirements modeling brings a user's idea to life at a conceptual level for evaluation before full system design.
Modeling is how one would represent the system design.
The steps required in representing a system design are similar to those of an artist beginning a new painting. The initial sketch on the canvas has rough edges and lines that are not precise. Once the initial sketch is complete, the artist’s vision becomes clear. This rough-draft process parallels the requirements modeling process. Details are not figured out yet, but there is enough information to make the system vision clear. In requirements modeling, the systems analyst is performing the equivalent of an artist’s rough sketch. The rough estimate and model provide enough vision and information to determine the feasibility of the project. The feasibility determines about how much it will cost, about how long it will take, generally what type of resources are needed, and a high level architecture to determine how it can it be done. Collectively, this information drives the project feasibility to answer the questions of should the project be done, can the project be done, and when the project should be done.
A high level modeling example for the previously
discussed project request can be seen below. The request was to develop a report in order to show department sales growth:
• This project should take 2 calendar months and will
need 1 calendar month of 1 data developer and 1 report developer’s time to create the project deliverable. The project will need 2 calendar months of the systems analyst’s time to plan, design, model, verify, implement, and support the project. • The total project cost should be under $30,000: 2 resources at $30/h x 1 month (4 weeks x 40h) =$9,600 and one resource at $50/h x 2 months (8 weeks x 40h) = $16,000 to $25,600. Rounding puts the project at $30,000. Typically an estimate is considered reasonable if the estimate falls 10% above or below this high level number. • A data flow diagram will show data coming from a transactional source database that has the sales line items. The data will go through an extract, translate, and load (ETL) process, which will store data into a SQL Server-reporting database. The report will be generated using Microsoft SharePoint Business Intelligence web parts where users will interact with the database itself. • Report sample layouts and working prototypes provide additional requirements modeling options for the user to review and interact with. The sample layouts can put a visual presentation in front of the user who can then provide direct feedback regarding usability. A working prototype in SharePoint is a rapid requirement modeling method to provide mock data and a sample version of a working report. The rapid requirement modeling method provides a deeper user experience in the model step to further define the requirements of use. It is important to note that, in practice, most modeling at this phase begins on a whiteboard or even on a napkin at a lunch meeting. Modeling is intended for a systems analyst to bring a user idea to life.
In Module Four, students will continue to explore the
concepts that detail performing logical data models. Data modeling will occur when students begin to construct the data flow diagrams and build the relational data model to store and access data for the system.