ISEB Systems Design Techniques — A 3-Day Course

 Open Public Course Closed In-House Course

Course Synopsis

Systems Design Techniques takes a 'tool-kit' approach to systems design, presenting models from the Unified Modeling Language (UML), such as sequence diagrams and state machine diagrams, alongside established models like the normalised data model and structured English. It is appropriate to designers working in all software environments, including those primarily working on system enhancements. The aim is that, at the end of the programme, participants will have a good understanding of the models and methods used but, more importantly, will be able to apply them in project situations.

Systems Design Techniques is delivered by trainers who bring their substantial experience of practical systems design projects to the programme. The case study on which the course is built is based on a genuine assignment. A comprehensive manual, containing detailed information about systems design techniques and providing references for further reading, is supplied as part of the course.

Examinations

Systems Design Techniques prepares participants to sit the examination for the ISEB Certificate in Systems Design Techniques. This involves a one-hour, open book examination that may be taken at the end of the course or at a public examination session. The certificate in Systems Design Techniques is a specialist module for the ISEB Diploma in Solution Development.

The price of the exam is included in the course cost.

Publicly scheduled dates, locations, and prices

Outline Course Contents

Introduction

• Objectives and constraints of design
• Design and implementation in the systems development life cycle
• The products of analysis
• Design approach and architecture

Input and Output Design

• The design boundary
• Output design and technology
• Input design and technology
• Selection of appropriate output and input technologies

Human Interface Design

• Design of input and output screens
• Dialogue types
• Usability and style guides
• Dialogue modelling
• Prototyping the interface

Logical Data Design (normalisation)

• Notation and conventions of relational data analysis
• Progressive normalisation principles
• Rationalising results
• Building the normalised (Third Normal Form) data model

Logical Process Design

• Class diagrams (UML)
• Interaction Diagrams (UML)
• Sequence Diagrams (UML)
• Communication Diagrams (UML)
• Structured English
• Data Action Diagrams

Systems Controls

• Risk in systems development
• Physical security
• Logical security
• State machine diagrams (UML)
• Backup and recovery procedures
• Software controls
• Audit trails
• Legal requirements of the designer
• Ethical issues affecting the designer

Physical design

• Optimising the physical design
• Principles of physical data design
• Design of codes and keys
• Principles of physical process design
• Common design patterns
• Interface and sub-system design
• Component diagrams (UML)
• Deployment diagrams (UML)
• Principles of re-factoring
• Principles of round-trip engineering

Testing

• Test cases from design models
• Design and code inspection
• Unit testing
• Integration testing
• System testing
• System integration testing
• User acceptance testing
• Requirements traceability

Systems Implementation

• Implementation planning and preparation
• Changeover methods
• Handover procedures

Training

• Analysing training needs
• Methods of training delivery
• Evaluating training

Post implementation

• Post implementation and post project reviews
• Benefits realisation
• Types of maintenance
• Change control
• Build and release strategy
• Regression testing
• Objectives and constraints of design re-visited