Stage 3: System Design Specification
Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the Case Study and all assignments for this
class, especially Stage 4: Final System Report. The feedback you received on your Stage 1 and Stage 2
assignments should be reviewed and used as you proceed with Stage 3.
Purpose of this Assignment
This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply a systematic approach to translate requirements into
a high-level logical system design. This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes
to enable you to:
apply a systematic approach to translate requirements into an executable systems design
effectively communicate with stakeholders to determine, manage, and document business
requirements throughout the SDLC
Assignment
The results of your systems analysis and design work in this class will be documented in a Final System
Report. The purpose of the Report is to inform management of your system proposal and gain approval
to proceed with the project. The Report will be developed and submitted in stages, which will be
compiled at the end of class into the Final System Report. Review the outline of the Final System Report
in the Stage 4 Assignment description. Note that it contains the analysis of the problem(s) and
requirements, and proposes what kind of a system solution is needed. It does not propose a specific
solution, but it does recommend why and how the organization should acquire the solution.
Following the Requirements Specification (Stage 2 assignment), the next step is to develop the System
Design Specification. The System Design Specification builds on the Requirements Specification to
illustrate how the files/database(s) will be laid out, how the output (forms, reports, and/or screens) and
input (forms and/or screens) should be designed. As you develop this assignment, you should refer to
your Stage 2 Requirements Specification (and the feedback you received) and use the inputs and outputs
you listed to create the input and output layouts and the file/database design.
All of the information you need to complete the projects in this class is not provided in the case study. In
the discussion area of the classroom, there is a discussion titled "Case Study Interview Questions" where
you can pose questions about the case study, as if you were interviewing the people in the case study
organization. Any information that you need that is not included in the case study should be asked about
in this discussion. Responses from the faculty member on behalf of the case study organization will be
available for everyone in the class.
Use the case study and the Case Study Interview Questions discussion, along with your Stage 2
Requirements Specification (including the feedback received), and resources below, to create a System
Design Specification in the format shown below. Include your corrected Stage 2 Requirements
Specifications as the first part of this assignment. Approximate lengths for each section of the Systems
Design Specification are provided as a guideline; be sure to provide all pertinent information. The
sources of explanatory materials can be found in the Week 5 Content readings.
Stage 3: System Design Specification 2
Requirements Specification
Include your Requirements Specification from Stage 2, with corrections from the feedback
included. This will establish the context for your System Design Specification to follow.
System Design Specification
I. Introduction. Provide an appropriate introduction to this document. (one paragraph)
II. Output Layout. Begin with the three outputs listed in your Requirements Specification. For
each of them, create a diagram or table illustrating what the output would look like. (use a
short paragraph to introduce this section and each diagram, table or illustration should use
about ½ of a page)
A. Output Layout #1.
B. Output Layout #2.
C. Output Layout #3.
III. Input Layout. Using the data elements listed in your Requirements Specification, create a
diagram or table illustrating what the input screen would look like for each of the three sets
of input. (use a short paragraph to introduce this section and each diagram, table or
illustration should use about ½ of a page)
A. Input Layout #1.
B. Input Layout #2.
C. Input Layout #3.
IV. File/database Design ERDs. For each of the three sets of outputs and inputs, create an
Entity Relationship Diagram showing how the data elements are related to each other [see
explanation at http://academic.regis.edu/ladams/Diagramming%20101.html]. Depending on
the inputs and outputs identified, there may be some overlap of the data elements in the
ERDs; a separate ERD should be developed for each pair of inputs/outputs. (use a short
paragraph to introduce this section, and each ERD should be on one page)
A. File/database Design ERD #1.
B. File/database Design ERD #2.
C. File/database Design ERD #3.
Submitting Your Assignment
Submit your Requirements Specification and System Design Specification as one document via your
Assignment Folder as Microsoft Word document, or a document that can be ready using MS Word, with
your last name included in the filename. Use the Grading Rubric below to be sure you have covered all
aspects of the assignment.
GRADING RUBRIC:
Criteria
90-100%
Far Above
Standards
80-89%
Above Standards
70-79%
Meets Standards
60-69%
Below Standards
< 60%
Well Below
Standards
Possible
Points
Introduction 5 Points
The corrected
Requirements
Specification is
included along with
a well-written
introduction to the
4 Points
The corrected
Requirements
Specification is
included along with
an appropriate
introduction to the
3.5 Points
The corrected
Requirements
Specification is
included along
with an
introduction to the
3 Points
The corrected
Requirements
Specification
and/or the
introduction to
the Systems
0-2 Points
The corrected
Requirements
Specification
and
introduction to
the Systems
5
Stage 3: System Design Specification 3
Systems Design
Specification;
demonstrates a
sophisticated level
of writing.
Systems Design
Specification;
demonstrates clear
writing.
Systems Design
Specification.
Design
Specification may
not be included
or may not be
complete.
Design
Specification
are not
included, or
little effort is
demonstrated.
Output
Layouts
27-30 Points
Three output
layouts are clearly
and logically
presented; and
very clearly relate
to the output
requirements
previously defined.
Demonstrate a
sophisticated level
of analysis.
24-26 Points
Three output
layouts are clearly
presented; and
clearly relate to the
output
requirements
previously defined.
Demonstrate
accurate analysis.
21-23 Points
Three output
layouts are
presented and
relate to output
requirements
previously
defined.
18-20 Points
Fewer than three
output layouts
may be provided,
and/or they may
not be
appropriate to
the previously
defined output
requirements.
0-17 Points
One or no
output layouts
are provided,
may not relate
to the
previously
defined output
requirements,
or little effort
is
demonstrated.
30
Input
Layouts
27-30 Points
Three input layouts
are clearly and
logically presented;
and very clearly
relate to the input
requirements
previously defined.
Demonstrate a
sophisticated level
of analysis.
24-26 Points
Three input layouts
are clearly
presented; and
clearly relate to the
input requirements
previously defined.
Demonstrate
accurate analysis.
21-23 Points
Three input
layouts are
presented and
relate to input
requirements
previously
defined.
18-20 Points
Fewer than three
input layouts
may be provided,
and/or they may
not be
appropriate to
the previously
defined input
requirements.
0-17 Points
One or no
input layouts
are provided,
may not relate
to the