1. Project Management & the SDLC
Starter
To complement our notes for Topic 7 & 8, complete a mind map for these two topics on paper – (5 Mins)
Project Failure
Project Management & the SDLC
SDLC

2. INFO 3: Use of ICT In The Digital World
Topic 10: Introducing Large ICT Systems in Organisations (Features and Testing)
Electronic Chapter: 11

3. Objectives At the end of the lesson, students should be able to: -
Understand and explain the features of a large ICT System
Identify the need for testing on large ICT systems and select appropriate Testing Techniques for large ICT Systems with clear justification for their appropriateness.

4. Exam Practice
No matter how well software is tested , it still needs to be maintained. Explain the types of maintenance that might be needed and why this maintenance is needed, illustrating your answer with suitable examples. (8)
Discuss the reasons why users may become increasingly dissatisfied with an implemented ICT solution over time. (4)
Discuss the issues involved in testing large ICT systems. (15 marks, June 2011) another question which can be used as a stretch and challenge task

5. Assessment Objectives (Outcome)
Grade E/D Standard: Be able to l briefly explain what a large ICT system is, as well as identify some of its key advantages and disadvantages. Achieve more than 40% of the exam style question.
Grade C/B Standard: Be able to explain the features of a large ICT system, as well as make reference to real examples used in organisations today. Achieve 60% or more of the exam style question.
Grade A Standard Be able to select appropriate testing techniques and justify their suitability for large ICT systems. . Achieve 80% or more in the exam style questions.

6. Introduction
ICT systems can be used across in multiple organisations, not just one (known as Distributed Systems).
For example:
Newspaper wholesaler
Newsagents will use the same system as the wholesaler (who usually supplies the system), in order to browse and order stock.

7. Features of Distributed Systems…
Many larger organisations have their own custom built systems – can you think of any?
Dell, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways etc
Smaller companies (customers) use these systems to make orders, track, make bookings etc.
Activity 1: In pairs – research and list the pros/cons of using larger distribute ICT systems. (10 minutes)

8. Distributed Systems (Pros/Cons)
Advantages Small Companies
Disadvantages Small Companies
Shared systems means its cheaper due to costs being shared
Limited control of the system
Reliable to work as it has been built for larger organisation
If a contract has been signed on the system, it is least likely to look for other solutions.
Access to support/forums to help users on the system
Advantages Large Companies
Disadvantages Large Companies
Control over the system
Increased costs for support and load on networks
Be able to lock customers into contracts
Unhappy customers if the system goes down

9. Activity 2 – Large ICT System Examples
In pairs, see how many other large (distributed) ICT systems are used in organisations today.
Aim to find at least 2 examples and briefly make notes on how these systems work, as well as some of their key features. (5 minutes)
Examples of Large (Distribute Systems):
Connect 2U – Used by larger newsagent Chains e.g. WHSmith and smaller newsagents.
NHS Systems used with smaller GP’s.
DVLA System Online

10. Distributed System Example
A GP can request the system to book a blood test/view results
A receptionist can request the system to book patients in.
A medical drug wholesaler can request the system to check the hospitals stock and replenish it by sending an invoice
Hospitals have a large ICT system that enables them to book patients in, check drug availability, book operation slots, check staffing timetables etc.
Ambulance service can request the system to check bed availability

11. Features of a Large ICT System
Activity 1 – Using the mini whiteboards to note your answers, discuss with your partner what features you would expect from a Large ICT System, compared to a small or medium ICT System. (5 Mins)

12. Features of a Large ICT System
Many Modules (different parts of the system e.g. Sale module, Order module, Accounts module etc.)
Requires Specialists to Support and Maintain it
Features of a Large ICT System
Large data files holding lots and lots of DATA
Running over networks not just in one location but throughout the country and maybe internationally too.
(Distributed Systems)
A large number of USERS maybe running to Thousands/Millions of USERS

13. Reliability & Testing? Why is this essential?
When a new system is developed, extensive testing must be planned to ensure reliable operation – works as expected.
The testing will be structured and involve teams of people: it is the most expensive part of the development of software.
Note** Most large ICT systems may have been developed with over 20 specialist staff in different locations; thus rigorous testing is essential.
System has been made by several individuals

14. Testing Continued… The main importance of testing is to:
Ensure software compatibility with other ICT systems (remember their needs to be communication)
Looking and predicting potential faults likely to occur and designing tests to identify these errors
Testing software portability onto different platforms or specified hardware?

15. Testing Large ICT Systems
It very important that large ICT systems are reliable for them to be used. Hence it is very important that Large Systems are thoroughly tested.
Activity 3 – Look back at the various Testing Techniques we learned last week. Choose which testing techniques would be suited to testing Large ICT Systems and why? (5 Mins)
Answers to be briefly discussed as a group

16. Review Learning - Exam Practice (15 Mins)
No matter how well software is tested , it still needs to be maintained. Explain the types of maintenance that might be needed and why this maintenance is needed, illustrating your answer with suitable examples. (8)
Discuss the reasons why users may become increasingly dissatisfied with an implemented ICT solution over time. (4)
Example Answer:
Perfective maintenance means that the performance of the software or whole system is improved. An example would be where a new version is produced that runs faster than the previous version such as where management information is produced in a lot less time than before.
Corrective maintenance is where there are problem s with the software that causes crashes, incorrect results, layout problems etc. the software is corrected by the programmers or program manufacturer.
Adaptive maintenance may be required if the needs of the organisation have changed since the software was developed. The managers may decide that the software should work in a different way and produce more management information. Organisations merge so sometimes systems need to be changed so that they all produce output in a similar way.
2. One mark for the correct name and correct brief explanation for each strategy x2.
One mark for the advantages/disadvantages of the method x2.
One mark for a comparison of the method x2.
Direct changeover – stop using the old system on day and start using the new system the next day (1). Element of risk particularly if the hardware and software are cutting edge (1). If the system fails then it can be disastrous to the business (1). Requires fewer resources (people, money, equipment) and is simple, provided nothing goes wrong (1).
Parallel - uses to minimise risk in introducing a new ICT system (1). Old ICT system is run alongside the new ICT system for a period of time until all the people involved with the new system are happy it is working correctly (1). The old system is then abandoned ad all the work is done entirely on the new system (1). It also adds to amount of planning needed for the implementation (1). It creates a lot of unnecessary duplication of work. (1)
Phased – a module at a time can be converted to the new system in phases until the whole system is transferred (1). Advantages that IT staff can deal with problems caused by a module before moving onto the new modules (1). Disadvantages is only suitable for systems consisting of separate modules (1).
Pilot – this method is ideal for large organisations that have lots of locations or branches where the new system can be used by one branch and then transferred to other branches over time (1). Advantage – implementation is on a much smaller and manageable scale (1). Disadvantages is that it takes longer to implement the system in all the branches. (1)
3 – one mark for each point up to a max of three. Final mark for a point which applies to increasing dissatisfaction over time with the system. Example answers include: -
The full range of user requirements have not been met, so the system does not live up user expectations.
Change in business needs means system cannot deal with the new demands placed on it.
Failure to supply users with the information they require.
User interface causes many user problems with increased help desk use.
Problems with the software or system crashing owing to lack of rigorous testing.
Network performance or speed of access to stored data becomes unacceptable as more users are added to the system.
Modifications to the system are needed regularly and the system needs replacement with a new one.
Too much time is spent updating the new system.
The cost of user support is too high.
There are security breaches which were not envisaged when the system was first developed.

17. Summary ICT systems can be used across in multiple organisations
Hold up the TRUE or FALSE cards to answer the following questions...
Many modules is a feature of a large ICT system
ICT systems can be used across in multiple organisations
“Limited control of the system” is a disadvantage of a distributed system for larger organisations
“Shared systems means its cheaper due to costs being shared” is an advantage of a distributed system for smaller organisations
The testing of a new system often involves a team of people, testing parts of the system vigorously
Predicting potentials faults that are likely to occur is not an important aspect of testing
Hold up the TRUE or FALSE cards to answer the following questions...
Many modules is a feature of a large ICT system - True
ICT systems can be used across in multiple organisations – False
“Limited control of the system” is a disadvantage of a distributed system for larger organisations - False
“Shared systems means its cheaper due to costs being shared” is an advantage of a distributed system for smaller organisations – True
The testing of a new system often involves a team of people, testing parts of the system vigorously – True
Predicting potentials faults that are likely to occur is not an important aspect of testing - False

18. Assessment Objectives (Outcome)
Grade E/D Standard: Be able to l briefly explain what a large ICT system is, as well as identify some of its key advantages and disadvantages. Achieve more than 40% of the exam style question.
Grade C/B Standard: Be able to explain the features of a large ICT system, as well as make reference to real examples used in organisations today. Achieve 60% or more of the exam style question.
Grade A Standard Be able to select appropriate testing techniques and justify their suitability for large ICT systems. . Achieve 80% or more in the exam style questions.

19. Objectives At the end of the lesson, students should be able to: -
Understand and explain the features of a large ICT System
Identify the need for testing on large ICT systems and select appropriate Testing Techniques for large ICT Systems with clear justification for their appropriateness.

20. Topic 8 Tasks
Open the Task sheet “Topic 10: Introducing Large ICT Systems into Organisations (Features and Testing)” worksheet up from Moodle and complete all tasks outlined.
Anything you do not complete in lesson, is to be completed as part of your homework.
Ask your teacher for a copy of the answers for the exam style questions to self assess your own answers
Answers to the activity tasks for task three can be found from online page 134 topic 10.

21. Homework Revision of objectives learned this lesson.
 Mind Map of main themes of lesson.
Using past exam papers to find and answer questions on the topic covered and then to use the mark scheme to mark the questions.
Do some research on the topics of the next lesson coming to the lesson with some ideas already (Topic 10: Introducing Large ICT Systems into Organisations – (Changeover Methods for Large ICT Systems).