Analysis of systems design

Students must be able to analyse the system requirements and constraints of an existing (emergent or disruptive) system, and evaluate the success/failure of the system design against the identified requirements and constraints.[edit]

To analyze the system requirements and constraints of an existing system, you can follow these steps:

Identify the purpose and goals of the system. What does the system aim to achieve, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure its success?
Identify the stakeholders of the system. Who will be using the system, and what are their needs and expectations?
Define the functional and non-functional requirements of the system. Functional requirements are specific actions that the system must be able to perform, such as processing data or generating reports. Non-functional requirements are qualities or characteristics of the system, such as reliability, security, or scalability.
Identify any constraints or limitations that the system must operate within. These might include technical, financial, or regulatory constraints.

To evaluate the success or failure of the system design against the identified requirements and constraints, you can use various methods, such as:

Benchmarking: Compare the performance of the system to similar systems or industry standards.
Testing: Use test cases to verify that the system meets its functional requirements and operates within its constraints.
User feedback: Collect feedback from users of the system to understand their experiences and identify any issues or areas for improvement.
Data analysis: Analyze data about the performance of the system, such as usage patterns or error rates, to identify trends and issues.

By analyzing the system requirements and constraints and evaluating the success or failure of the system design against them, you can identify areas where the system is performing well and areas where it can be improved. This can help to ensure that the system is meeting the needs of its users and achieving its goals.

Students must be able to analyse an existing system and develop new system requirements for augmentations or improvements that could be made to a system.[edit]

To analyze an existing system and develop new system requirements for augmentations or improvements, you can follow these steps:

Identify the purpose and goals of the existing system. What does the system aim to achieve, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that are used to measure its success?
Identify the stakeholders of the system. Who will be using the system, and what are their needs and expectations?
Analyze the current functionality of the system. What does the system currently do, and how does it do it? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Identify areas for improvement. What problems or issues does the system currently have, and what new capabilities or features would be beneficial to add?
Define the new system requirements. Based on the analysis of the existing system and the identified areas for improvement, define the new functional and non-functional requirements for the augmented or improved system.
Consider any constraints or limitations that the new system must operate within. These might include technical, financial, or regulatory constraints.

By analyzing the existing system and developing new system requirements for augmentations or improvements, you can identify specific ways in which the system can be enhanced to better meet the needs of its users and achieve its goals. These requirements can then be used to guide the design and development of the improved system.

Students must be able to analyse the development of existing technologies and the resulting consequences of these emergent or disruptive technologies including ethical, social, economic, environmental consequences.[edit]

The development of existing technologies can often have a wide range of consequences, both positive and negative. These consequences can be ethical, social, economic, or environmental in nature.

Here are some examples of the consequences of emergent or disruptive technologies:

Ethical consequences: The development and use of certain technologies can raise ethical questions and concerns, such as privacy, security, and the potential for abuse. For example, the widespread use of surveillance technologies and the collection of personal data by companies has raised concerns about privacy and the potential for abuse of power.
Social consequences: New technologies can also have social consequences, such as the way they impact relationships and communities. For example, the widespread use of social media has changed the way people communicate and connect with each other, but it has also led to concerns about the impact on mental health and the spread of misinformation.
Economic consequences: The development of new technologies can have significant economic impacts, both positive and negative. For example, the introduction of new technologies can create new jobs and industries, but it can also disrupt existing ones and lead to job losses.
Environmental consequences: The development and use of certain technologies can also have environmental consequences, such as the use of resources, the generation of waste, and the emission of greenhouse gases. For example, the use of fossil fuels for energy has contributed to climate change, while the development of renewable energy technologies can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It is important to consider the potential consequences of emerging and disruptive technologies before they are widely adopted, so that the risks can be minimized and the benefits maximized.