SYSTEM DESIGN DOCUMENT

SYSTEM DESIGN DOCUMENT

Overview
The System Design Document describes the system requirements, operating environment, system
and subsystem architecture, files and database design, input formats, output layouts, humanmachine interfaces, detailed design, processing logic, and external interfaces.
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1.1

INTRODUCTION
Purpose and Scope
This section provides a brief description of the Systems Design Documents purpose and
scope.

1.2

Project Executive Summary

This section provides a description of the project from a management perspective and an
overview of the framework within which the conceptual system design was prepared. If
appropriate, include the information discussed in the subsequent sections in the summary.

1.2.1 System Overview

This section describes the system in narrative form using non-technical terms. It should
provide a high-level system architecture diagram showing a subsystem breakout of the
system, if applicable. The high-level system architecture or subsystem diagrams should,
if applicable, show interfaces to external systems. Supply a high-level context diagram
for the system and subsystems, if applicable. Refer to the requirements trace ability
matrix (RTM) in the Functional Requirements Document (FRD), to identify the allocation
of the functional requirements into this design document.
1.2.2 Design Constraints
This section describes any constraints in the system design (reference any trade-off
analyses conducted such, as resource use versus productivity, or conflicts with other
systems) and includes any assumptions made by the project team in developing the
system design.
1.2.3 Future Contingencies
This section describes any contingencies that might arise in the design of the system that
may change the development direction. Possibilities include lack of interface agreements
with outside agencies or unstable architectures at the time this document is produced.
Address any possible workarounds or alternative plans.
1.3

Document Organization
This section describes the organization of the Systems Design Document.

1.4

Points of Contact
This section provides the organization code and title of the key points of contact (and

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alternates if appropriate) for the information system development effort. These points of
contact should include the Project Manager, System Proponent, User Organization, Quality
Assurance (QA) Manager, Security Manager, and Configuration Manager, as appropriate.
1.5

Project References
This section provides a bibliography of key project references and deliverables that have
been produced before this point.

1.6

Glossary
Supply a glossary of all terms and abbreviations used in this document. If the glossary is
several pages in length, it may be included as an appendix.

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
In this section, describe the system and/or subsystem(s) architecture for the project.
References to external entities should be minimal, as they will be described in detail in
Section 6, External Interfaces.

2.1

System Hardware Architecture

In this section, describe the overall system hardware and organization. Include a list of
hardware components (with a brief description of each item) and diagrams showing the
connectivity between the components. If appropriate, use subsections to address each
subsystem.

2.2

System Software Architecture

In this section, describe the overall system software and organization. Include a list of
software modules (this could include functions, subroutines, or classes), computer
languages, and programming computer-aided software engineering tools (with a brief
description of the function of each item). Use structured organization diagrams/objectoriented diagrams that show the various segmentation levels down to the lowest level. All
features on the diagrams should have reference numbers and names. Include a narrative
that expands on and enhances the understanding of the functional breakdown. If
appropriate, use subsections to address each module.
Note: The diagrams should map to the FRD data flow diagrams, providing the physical
process and data flow related to the FRD logical process and data flow.

2.3

Internal Communications Architecture

In this section, describe the overall communications within the system; for example,
LANs, buses, etc. Include the communications architecture(s) being implemented, such as
X.25, Token Ring, etc. Provide a diagram depicting the communications path(s) between
the system and subsystem modules. If appropriate, use subsections to address each
architecture being employed.
Note: The diagrams should map to the FRD context diagrams.

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3

FILE AND DATABASE DESIGN

Interact with the Database Administrator (DBA) when preparing this section. The section
should reveal the final design of all database management system (DBMS) files and the nonDBMS files associated with the system under development. Additional information may
add as required for the particular project. Provide a comprehensive data dictionary showing
data element name, type, length, source, validation rules, maintenance (create, read, update,
delete (CRUD) capability), data stores, outputs, aliases, and description. Can be included as
an appendix.

3.1

Database Management System Files

This section reveals the final design of the DBMS files and includes the following
information, as appropriate (refer to the data dictionary):

3.2

Refined logical model; provide normalized table layouts, entity relationship diagrams,
and other logical design information
A physical description of the DBMS schemas, sub-schemas, records, sets, tables,
storage page sizes, etc.
Access methods (such as indexed, via set, sequential, random access, sorted pointer
array, etc.)
Estimate of the DBMS file size or volume of data within the file, and data pages,
including overhead resulting from access methods and free space
Definition of the update frequency of the database tables, views, files, areas, records,
sets, and data pages; estimate the number of transactions if the database is an online
transaction-based system

Non-Database Management System Files

In this section, provide the detailed description of all non-DBMS files and include a
narrative description of the usage of each fileincluding if the file is used for input,
output, or both; if this file is a temporary file; an indication of which modules read and
write the file, etc.; and file structures (refer to the data dictionary). As appropriate, the file
structure information should:

Identify record structures, record keys or indexes, and reference data elements within
the records
Define record length (fixed or maximum variable length) and blocking factors
Define file access methodfor example, index sequential, virtual sequential, random
access, etc.
Estimate the file size or volume of data within the file, including overhead resulting
from file access methods
Define the update frequency of the file; if the file is part of an online transactionbased system, provide the estimated number of transactions per unit time, and the
statistical mean, mode, and distribution of those transactions

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4

HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE
This section provides the detailed design of the system and subsystem inputs and outputs
relative to the user/operator. Any additional information may be added to this section and
may be organized according to whatever structure best presents the operator input and
output designs. Depending on the particular nature of the project, it may be appropriate to
repeat these sections at both the subsystem and design module levels. Additional
information may be added to the subsections if the suggested lists are inadequate to describe
the project inputs and outputs.

4.1

Inputs
This section is a description of the input media used by the operator for providing
information to the system; show a mapping to the high-level data flows described in
Section 1 .2.1, System Overview. For example, data entry screens, optical character
readers, bar scanners, etc. If appropriate, the input record types, file structures, and
database structures provided in Section 3, File and Database Design, may be referenced.
Include data element definitions, or refer to the data dictionary.
Provide the layout of all input data screens or graphical user interfaces (GUTs) (for
example, windows). Provide a graphic representation of each interface. Define all data
elements associated with each screen or GUI, or reference the data dictionary.
This section should contain edit criteria for the data elements, including specific values,
range of values, mandatory/optional, alphanumeric values, and length. Also address data
entry controls to prevent edit bypassing.
Discuss the miscellaneous messages associated with operator inputs, including the
following:

4.2

Copies of form(s) if the input data are keyed or scanned for data entry from printed
forms
Description of any access restrictions or security considerations
Each transaction name, code, and definition, if the system is a transaction-based
processing system

Outputs
This section describes of the system output design relative to the user/operator; show a
mapping to the high-level data flows described in Section 1.2.1. System outputs include
reports, data display screens and GUIs, query results, etc. The output files are described in
Section 3 and may be referenced in this section. The following should be provided, if
appropriate:

Identification of codes and names for reports and data display screens
Description of report and screen contents (provide a graphic representation of each
layout and define all data elements associated with the layout or reference the data
dictionary)
Description of the purpose of the output, including identification of the primary users

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Report distribution requirements, if any (include frequency for periodic reports)

Description of any access restrictions or security considerations

DETAILED DESIGN
This section provides the information needed for a system development team to actually
build and integrate the hardware components, code and integrate the software modules, and
interconnect the hardware and software segments into a functional product. Additionally,
this section addresses the detailed procedures for combining separate COTS packages into a
single system. Every detailed requirement should map back to the FRD, and the mapping
should be presented in an update to the RTM and include the RTM as an appendix to this
design document.

5.1

Hardware Detailed Design

A hardware component is the lowest level of design granularity in the system. Depending
on the design requirements, there may be one or more components per system. This
section should provide enough detailed information about individual component
requirements to correctly build and/or procure all the hardware for the system (or integrate
COTS items).
If there are many components or if the component documentation is extensive, place it in
an appendix or reference a separate document. Add additional diagrams and information,
if necessary, to describe each component and its functions, adequately. Industry-standard
component specification practices should be followed. For COTS procurements, if a
specific vendor has been identified, include appropriate item names. Include the following
information in the detailed component designs (as applicable):

5.2

Power input requirements for each component

Signal impedances and logic states
Connector specifications (serial/parallel, 11-pin, male/female, etc.)
Memory and/or storage space requirements
Processor requirements (speed and functionality)
Graphical representation depicting the number of hardware items (for example,
monitors, printers, servers, I/O devices), and the relative positioning of the
components to each other
Cable type(s) and length(s)
User interfaces (buttons, toggle switches, etc.)
Hard drive/floppy drive/CD-ROM requirements
Monitor resolution

Software Detailed Design

A software module is the lowest level of design granularity in the system. Depending on
the software development approach, there may be one or more modules per system. This
section should provide enough detailed information about logic and data necessary to
completely write source code for all modules in the system (and/or integrate COTS
software programs).

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If there are many modules or if the module documentation is extensive, place it in an
appendix or reference a separate document. Add additional diagrams and information, if
necessary, to describe each module, its functionality, and its hierarchy. Industry-standard
module specification practices should be followed. Include the following information in
the detailed module designs:

5.3

A narrative description of each module, its function(s), the conditions under which it
is used (called or scheduled for execution), its overall processing, logic, interfaces to
other modules, interfaces to external systems, security requirements, etc.; explain any
algorithms used by the module in detail
For COTS packages, specify any call routines or bridging programs to integrate the
package with the system and/or other COTS packages (for example, Dynamic Link
Libraries)
Data elements, record structures, and file structures associated with module input and
output
Graphical representation of the module processing, logic, flow of control, and
algorithms, using an accepted diagramming approach (for example, structure charts,
action diagrams, flowcharts, etc.)
Data entry and data output graphics; define or reference associated data elements; if
the project is large and complex or if the detailed module designs will be incorporated
into a separate document, then it may be appropriate to repeat the screen information
in this section
Report layout

Internal Communications Detailed Design

If the system includes more than one component there may be a requirement for internal
communications to exchange information, provide commands, or support input/output
functions. This section should provide enough detailed information about the
communication requirements to correctly build and/or procure the communications
components for the system. Include the following information in the detailed designs (as
appropriate):

The number of servers and clients to be included on each area network

Specifications for bus timing requirements and bus control
Format(s) for data being exchanged between components
Graphical representation of the connectivity between components, showing the
direction of data flow (if applicable), and approximate distances between
components; information should provide enough detail to support the procurement of
hardware to complete the installation at a given location
LAN topology

EXTERNAL INTERFACES
External systems are any systems that are not within the scope of the system under
development, regardless whether the other systems are managed by the State or another

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agency. In this section, describe the electronic interface(s) between this system and each of
the other systems and/or subsystem(s), emphasizing the point of view of the system being
developed.
6.1

Interface Architecture
In this section, describe the interface(s) between the system being developed and other
systems; for example, batch transfers, queries, etc. Include the interface architecture(s)
being implemented, such as wide area networks, gateways, etc. Provide a diagram
depicting the communications path(s) between this system and each of the other systems,
which should map to the context diagrams in Section 1.2.1. If appropriate, use subsections
to address each interface being implemented.

6.2

Interface Detailed Design

For each system that provides information exchange with the system under development,
there is a requirement for rules governing the interface. This section should provide
enough detailed information about the interface requirements to correctly format, transmit,
and/or receive data across the interface. Include the following information in the detailed
design for each interface (as appropriate):

The data format requirements; if there is a need to reformat data before they are
transmitted or after incoming data is received, tools and/or methods for the reformat
process should be defined
Specifications for hand-shaking protocols between the two systems; include the
content and format of the information to be included in the hand-shake messages, the
timing for exchanging these messages, and the steps to be taken when errors are
identified
Format(s) for error reports exchanged between the systems; should address the
disposition of error reports; for example, retained in a file, sent to a printer, flag/alarm
sent to the operator, etc.
Graphical representation of the connectivity between systems, showing the direction
of data flow
Query and response descriptions

If a formal Interface Control Document (ICD) exists for a given interface, the information
can be copied, or the ICD can be referenced in this section.
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SYSTEM INTEGRITY CONTROLS

Sensitive systems use information for which the loss, misuse, modification of, or
unauthorized access to that information could affect the conduct of State programs, or the
privacy to which individuals are entitled.
Developers of sensitive State systems are required to develop specifications for the
following minimum levels of control:

Internal security to restrict access of critical data items to only those access types
required by users

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Audit procedures to meet control, reporting, and retention period requirements for
operational and management reports
Application audit trails to dynamically audit retrieval access to designated critical
data
Standard Tables to be used or requested for validating data fields
Verification processes for additions, deletions, or updates of critical data
Ability to identify all audit information by user identification, network terminal
identification, date, time, and data accessed or changed.