ITGS Project - Criterion B

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Criterion B: Analysis
Requirements specification
The specific performance criteria within the requirements specification must be directly addressed in criterion F to evaluate the effectiveness of the product so make sure the criteria listed is "testable".
Justification of proposed solution
This is completed in extended writing.
Marks Level descriptor
0 The work does not reach the standard described by the descriptors below.
1 The analysis form is used, refers to the scenario described in criterion A and includes either a requirements specification that can be used to partially evaluate the effectiveness of the IT solution or a limited explanation of why the IT solution was chosen.
2–3 The analysis form is used, refers to the scenario described in criterion A and includes a requirements specification that can be used to partially evaluate the effectiveness of the IT solution and an adequate explanation of why the IT solution was chosen.
4–5 The analysis form is used, refers to the scenario described in criterion A and includes a requirements specification that can be used to effectively evaluate the success of the IT solution and a detailed justification of why the IT solution was chosen.

Criterion B: Analysis
The student must ensure that the proposed IT solution addresses the inadequacies identified in criterion A.
The analysis form must be used.
The analysis must consist of the following two parts, which must be submitted as a single document.
• A completed requirements specification using the first section of the form
• Justification for the proposed solution, as extended writing using the second section of the form

Sample Criterion B Analysis

Example - IT System requirements - what will you need to complete your IT solution?

  • Hardware
    - School Computer -
    – Home Computer - iMac (OSX 10.5.8) with 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM and internal 750 GB hard drive
    - DVD burner
    -  500 GBexternal hard drive for backup
    -  Panasonic DMC-TZ7 digital camera
    - 32 GB flash drive
    - Network Connection - School -7.3 Mbps download speed, 1.4 Mbps upload speed
    - Network Connection - Home -

  • Software
    - iTunes v 10.6.3 for importing music
    - iMovie HD v 6.0.4 for video editing
    - Garageband v 4.1.2 for voice recording
    - iDVD v 7.0.4 application for burning the video to DVD

Requirements specification
The following information must be included.
• System interaction - what is required to "run" your solution?
• Input and output requirements
- Input - what information and data will go into creating your product? Most if not all of the data will come from your client. What is the specific information you will need from your client?
- Output - how will the results be displayed, what are the requirements for the output - what the user will see, hear...?
• Processing - can refer to either the processes the student will use to produce the product or the system processing which converts input to output
• Security - is there a need to protect data in the product, if so how will you do that?
• Specific performance criteria that are evaluated in criterion F to determine the effectiveness of the solution - this will be used to evaluate (test) your final product so be sure it is clear and can be tested.

Justification of proposed solution
The rationale behind the choice of the proposed solution must be in extended writing justifying how the choice of this particular product is the most effective IT solution to the problem identified in criterion A. It is expected that this is based largely on the information within the requirements specification. Other information that can be included in the justification for the proposed IT solution may refer to:
• whether the student has the IT skills and access to the software required to develop the IT solution
• whether the client’s hardware and software is compatible with the IT solution
• the level of training necessary for the client to use and maintain the proposed IT solution
• to what extent the input and output requirements of the client are met by the IT solution
• whether the data required for the IT solution can be obtained by either the client or the student
• how any security implications for the development and operation of the IT solution can be resolved.

Criterion B: Analysis

Candidates did not address this criterion well. In most cases important considerations such as access, distribution, cost, and how the product would be implemented were not analysed. Feasibility refers to whether the making of the product is actually realistic. The final justification for the chosen product explains how it is the best solution and solves the problem, considering all of the factors analysed in criterion A. Feasibility and justification were not addressed well. 2004 Results

There was a great difference in the quality of this criterion. Too many candidates only outlined the approach instead of describing it.