SupplementaryDiscussion MODULE03

BCS/BIT313k Supplement Materials: Module 3
IDENTIFYING AND
CHOOSING A
RIGHT PROBLEM
PROBLEM ANALYSIS
 It’s the process of understanding and defining
the problem to be solved
 It’s not problem solving
 Problem solving identifies solutions that
conform to the needs and constrains of the
problem.
 Common Problem:
 Propose a solution too early
 Not considering the restrictions and possible
shortcuts associated with the problem
 Result : Incomplete or Excessive Solution
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STEPS FOR PROBLEM ANALYSIS

1. Define the Problem
2. Understand the Root Causes
3. Identify the Affected People
4. Define the Scope of the Solution
5. Identify Solution Constraints
STEP 1: DEFINE THE PROBLEMS

 The most difficult part but the most
important
 Can’t state the problem  Can’t even know
where to begin in solving it
 Some Helping Tips:
 Put the problems in writing
 Get multiple perspectives
 Look for deeper problems

STEP 2: UNDERSTAND THE ROOT

CAUSES
 What’s the problem behind the problem?
 Many times, The problems being seen is not
the main/core problem
 The problems is just the result of the root
causes
 Some Guide Questions:
 What is the primary problem?
 What are the contributing factors?
 Who knows about the problem?
STEP 3: IDENTIFY THE AFFECTED

PEOPLE
 Each problem will affect a given group of
people, known as stakeholders
 Each stakeholders have different needs and
concerns
 Possible Stakeholders:
 Customer – served by the solution
 User – apply or use the solution
 Management or Authorities – controls the
solution
 Project Sponsor – initiates or funds for the
solution

STEP 4: DEFINE THE SCOPE OF THE

SOLUTION
Scope of the Solution
 The boundaries need to work within to solve
the problem
 Addresses the things that are within control
by the proponent to address
 Two perspectives of a solution:
 Internal – focuses on the problem to be solved
from the perspective of the proponent
 External – focuses on the people or things that
interact from the outside such as customers,
suppliers and users
Scope of the Solution

STEP 5:
IDENTIFY SOLUTION CONSTRAINTS
Solution Constraints
 The barriers to solve the problem
 A know lack of something or an inhibitor

such as:
 Lack of time to complete the solution
 Lack of money to perform the solution
 Lack of people to work on the solution
 Lack of technology to give a leverage in solving the problem
 Political problems which inhibit people from cooperating in
solving the problem
 Environmental problems, which inhibit a solution due to the
nature of the business, technical environment, geographic
environment, etc.
CHOOSING A RIGHT PROBLEM

AND POSSIBLE SOLUTION
For BSCS:
 Guide Questions:
 Do the main problems has already an existing
solution?
 Do the main problems can be solve by creating
or applying (adapting or modifying) algorithm
(algorithmic-based solution)?
 What is/are the possible research area/s of the
defined solution to the problem (Tip: read and
study each research area)?

CHOOSING A RIGHT PROBLEM

AND POSSIBLE SOLUTION
For BSIT:
 Do the main problems has already an existing
solution?
 What is/are the possible IT research area/s of
the defined solution to the problem (Tip: read
and study each research area)?
SOURCES & REFERENCES:

 Rice, R. (n.d.). Solving the Right Problem – Step One
in Software Development. Requirements Articles |
Articles.
https://riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/Requirem
ents-Articles/solving-the-right-problem-step-one-in-
software-development.html
 CHED Memorandum Order(CMO) No 25, Series of

2015. https://ched.gov.ph/wp-
content/uploads/2017/10/CMO-no.-25-s.-2015.pdf

SOFTWARE
PLANNING
PROBLEM DOMAIN
 The area of expertise or application that
needs to be examined to solve a problem
 a set of circumstances to provide a
solutions.
 Example:
 Designing and developing a new system to
improve the enrolment procedures of UNC
 Developing a decision support system for
Evacuation planning and procedure of UNC-
DRRMC

SOFTWARE SYSTEM ANALYST

 One of the key persons during software
planning
 Do the key activities of System Analysis:
 Collecting and interpreting information
 Identifying the problem domain or the problems
 Decomposition of a solution
SOFTWARE SYSTEM ANALYST

 Qualities of a System Analyst:
 Problem solver
 Good communicator (technical and non-
technical)
 Self motivated and disciplined
 Has strong personal and professional ethics
 Knowledgeable and has expertise

INFORMATION GATHERING
The key resource of

successful software
project is
information
THE STAKEHOLDERS
 Possible sources of information
Some Universal Categories of

Stakeholders:
 End Users
• Direct Users
• Secondary Users
 Beneficiaries
 Authorities

THE STAKEHOLDERS
Categories of Users in an
Organization:
 Operational Users
 Supervisory Users
 Executive-level Users
INFORMATION GATHERING
METHODS
Interactive Methods:
 Interview
 Joint Application Design (JAD)
 Using Questionnaire
Unobtrusive Methods:
 Sampling
 Investigation
 Quantitative Documents
 Qualitative Documents

ASSIGNMENT TASK
(INDIVIDUAL TASK)
 Task: Essay discussion of initial software
plan
 What is your target problem domain?
 What specific customer problems and needs you
want to address?
 Who is your stakeholders and why?
 What information and data you will gather from
each stakeholder?
 What information gathering methods you will
use to gather that information?
INITIAL PROJECT REQUIREMENT

TASK
 Summarize each group member essay
discussion and fill up the
Project Requirement 1: Initial Software
Plan form

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BCS/BIT313k Supplement Materials: Module 3

June Arreb C. Danila 1

STEPS FOR PROBLEM ANALYSIS

STEP 1: DEFINE THE PROBLEMS

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STEP 2: UNDERSTAND THE ROOT

STEP 3: IDENTIFY THE AFFECTED

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STEP 4: DEFINE THE SCOPE OF THE

Scope of the Solution

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 A know lack of something or an inhibitor

CHOOSING A RIGHT PROBLEM

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CHOOSING A RIGHT PROBLEM

SOURCES & REFERENCES:

 CHED Memorandum Order(CMO) No 25, Series of

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SOFTWARE SYSTEM ANALYST

SOFTWARE SYSTEM ANALYST

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The key resource of

Some Universal Categories of

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 Joint Application Design (JAD)

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INITIAL PROJECT REQUIREMENT

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