SG 11

Internal output

An output intended for system owners and system users within an organization. They only rarely find their way outside the organization. It support either day-to-day business operations or management monitoring and decision making.

Detailed report

An internal output that presents information with little or no filtering.

Summary report

An internal output that categorizes information for managers. The data for these reports is typically categorized and summarized to indicate trends and potential problems.

Exception report

An internal output that filters data to report exceptions to some condition or standard. It filter data before it is presented to the manager as information.

External outputs

An output that leaves the organization. Intended for customers, suppliers, partners, or regulatory agencies.

Turnaround documents

An external output that may re-enter the system as an input.

Paper-printed output

The most common medium for computer outputs.

Stock paper

Internal outputs are typically printed on blank paper, also called as ____.

Preprinted forms

External outputs and turnaround documents are printed on ____.

Tabular output

It presents information in columns.

Zoned output

It places text and numbers into designated areas.

Screen output

The fastest growing medium for computer outputs is the online display of information on a visual display device such as a CRT terminal or PC monitor.

Graphic output

It is the use of pictorial charts to convey information and demonstrate trends and relationships that cannot be easily seen in tabular formats.

Line charts

It show one or more series of data over a period of time. They are useful for summarizing and showing data at regular intervals.

Area charts

These are similar to line charts except that the focus is on the area under the line. That area is useful for summarizing and showing the change in data over time.

Bar charts

These are useful for comparing series or categories of data.

Column charts

These are similar to bar charts except that the bars are vertical. Also, a series of column charts may be used to compare the same categories at different times or time intervals.

Pie charts

It show the relationship of parts to a whole. They are useful for summarizing percentages of a whole within a single series of data.

Donut charts

These are similar to pie charts except that they can show multiple series or categories of data, each as its own concentric ring.

Radar charts

These are useful for comparing different aspects of more than one series or category of data. Each data series is represented as a geometric shape around a central point. Multiple series are overlaid so they can be compared.

Scatter charts

These are useful for showing the relationship between two or more series or categories of data measured at uneven intervals of time.

Printer spacing charts and Display layout charts

These are the primary tools for output design.

Spreadsheet

It is the least expensive and most overlooked prototyping tool.

Landscape orientaton

It is often necessitated for tabular reports because more columns can be printed.

Legend

It is an explanation of abbreviations, colors, or codes used in a report. In a printed report, it can be printed on only the first or last page.

Column headings

It should be short and descriptive. Avoid abbreviations or include a Report Legend.

Heading alignment

Alignment should be tested with users for preferences with a special emphasis on the risk of misinterpretation of the information.

3-5

In column spacing, rule of thumb is to use _ spaces between each.

Size

The designer should consider the “lowest common denominator.” The default window size should be less than or equal to the worst resolution display in the user community.

Scrolling

On-line outputs have the advantage of not being limited by the physical page. This can also be a disadvantage if important information such as column headings scrolls off the screen. If possible, freeze important headings at the top of a screen.

Navigation

Users should always have a sense of where they are in a network of on-line screens. Users also require the ability to navigate between screens.

Partitioning

In Windows, zones are forms within forms. On the Internet, frames are pages within pages.

Information hiding

On-line applications offer capabilities to hide information until it is either needed or becomes important. Techniques include drill-down and pop-up dialogue boxes.

Highlighting

It can call users’ attention to erroneous data, exception data, or specific problems. It can also be a distraction if misused.

Printing

Always provide users the option to print a permanent copy of the report.

Catalog browsing

A one logical output requirement for the project. Members should be able to browse and search catalogs, presumably as a preface to placing orders. The catalog itself is the output.

Multimedia

It is a team coined to collectively describe any information presented in a format other than traditional numbers, codes, and words. This includes graphics, sound, pictures, and animation