Module 4: Requirements Engineering Review

Actor

An external entity with a specific role. In a use case model, _____ are used to model interaction with the system.

Agile Methods

Attempt to develop a system incrementally by building a series of prototypes and adjusting them to user requirements. Developers revise, extend, and merge earlier versions into the final product. Emphasize continuous feedback. Each incremental step is affected by what was learned in the prior steps.

Brainstorming

A fact-finding technique for gaining information through the use of a small group discussion of a specific problem, opportunity, or issue.

Business Process Model (BPM)

Represents the people, events, and interaction in a system.

Business Process Model Notation (BPMN)

Includes various shapes and symbols to represent events, processes, and workflows.

Close-Ended Questions

Queries that limit or restrict the range of responses. Used in the interview process when specific information or fact verification is desired.

Construction Phase

A phase that focuses on program and application development tasks similar to the SDLC.

Cutover Phase

A phase that resembles the final tasks in the SDLC implementation phase, including data conversion, testing, changeover to the new system, and user training.

Data Flow Diagram (DFD)

Shows how data moves through an information system but does not show program logic or processing steps. Uses various symbols to show how the system transforms input data into useful information.

Document Review

A review of baseline documentation. A useful fact-finding technique that helps an analyst understand how the current system is supposed to work.

Engaged Listening

The ability to really concentrate on what someone is saying and avoid the temptation to hear what is expected. Also includes noticing nonverbal communication.

Feature / Epic

In an agile project, a simple, high-level statement of a requirement.

Fact-Finding / Requirements Elicitation

The process of gathering requirements.

Fill-in Form

A template used to collect data on the Internet or a company intranet.

Functional Decomposition Diagram (FDD)

A top-down representation of business functions and processes. Also called a structure chart.

Functional Requirement

A statement of the services a system provides.

Hawthorne Effect

A phenomenon where employees who know they are being observed are more productive.

Histogram

A common tool for showing the distribution of questionnaire or sampling results. It takes the form of a vertical bar chart.

Informal Structures

An organization based on interpersonal relationships, which can develop from previous work assignments, physical proximity, unofficial procedures, or personal relationships.

Interview

A planned meeting during which information is obtained from another person.

Joint Application Development (JAD)

A systems development technique that uses a task force of users, managers, and IT professionals who work together to gather information, discuss business needs, and define the new system requirements.

Leading Questions

Queries that suggest or favor a particular reply.

Non-Functional Requirement / Quality Attributes

A statement of operational system constraints.

Observation

A fact-finding technique where an analyst sees a system in action. _____ allows the verification of statements made in interviews.

Open-Ended Questions

Queries that allow for a range of answers. They encourage spontaneous and unstructured responses and are useful in understanding a larger process.

Personal Information Manager (PIM)

A tool that helps manage tasks and schedules. Many handheld devices also include this function.

Pool

The overall diagram in BPMN.

Productivity Software

Applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and presentation graphics programs.

Questionnaire / Survey

A document containing a number of standard questions that can be sent to many individuals.

Random Sample

A selection taken in a random, unplanned manner. For example, a ______ might be a sample that selects any 20 customers.

Range-of-Response Questions

Closed-ended questions that ask the person to evaluate something by providing limited answers to specific responses or on a numeric scale.

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

A team-based technique that speeds up information systems development and produces a functioning information system. ______ is similar in concept to JAD but goes further by including all phases of the SDLC.

Requirements Definitions

A description of the system requirements from the user’s point of view.

Requirements Engineering

• Gathering requirements

• Representation requirements

• Validating and verifying requirements

Requirements Planning Phase

A phase that combines elements of the systems planning and systems analysis phases of the SDLC.

Requirements Specifications

A description of the system requirements from the analyst or engineering team’s point of view.

Research

An important fact-finding technique that includes the review of journals, periodicals, and books to obtain background information, technical material, and news about industry trends and developments.

Sampling

A process where an analyst collects examples of actual documents, which could include records, reports, or various forms.

Scalability

A characteristic of a system, implying that the system can be expanded, modified, or downsized easily to meet the rapidly changing needs of a business enterprise.

Scenarios

In an agile project, a real-world example of how users will interact with the system.

Scrum

A popular technique for agile project management. Derived from a rugby term. In _____, team members play specific roles and interact in intense sessions.

Sequence Diagram

A UML diagram that shows the timing of transactions between objects as they occur during system execution.

Site Visit

A trip to a physical location to observe a system in use at another location.

Stratified Sample

A set metric is collected across functional areas. For example, a certain percentage of transactions from every work shift, or five customers from each of four zip codes.

Storyboards

In an agile project, a simple graphic organizer that helps systems analysts visualize the status of a project.

Structured Brainstorming

A group discussion where each participant speaks when it is his or her turn or passes.

Swim Lanes

In a business process diagram, the overall diagram is called a pool and the designated customer areas are called ______.

SysML

A dialect of UML 2, used for representing requirements (and other things), primarily in MBSE applications.

System Requirement

A characteristic or feature that must be included in an information system to satisfy business requirements and be acceptable to users.

Systematic Sample

A sample that occurs at a predetermined periodicity. For example, every tenth customer record might be selected as a ___________ for review.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

The total expenditures necessary to purchase, maintain, upgrade, and support a user’s personal computer or device over its expected useful lifetime, provides one estimate.

Traceability

The ability to follow a requirement backward to its origins and forward through the SDLC to link design documents, code fragments, and test artifacts.

Unified Modeling Language (UML)

A widely used method of visualizing and documenting software systems design. UML uses object-oriented design concepts, but it is independent of any specific programming language and can be used to describe business processes and requirements generally.

Unstructured Brainstorming

A group discussion where any participant can speak at any time.

Use Case Diagram

A visual representation that illustrates the interaction between users and the information system in UML.

User Design Phase

In this phase, users interact with systems analysts and develop models and prototypes that represent all system processes, outputs, and inputs.

User Stories

In an agile project, a set of more refined requirements derived from features.