BCS/BIT313k Supplement Materials: Module 3
IDENTIFYING AND
CHOOSING A
RIGHT PROBLEM
PROBLEM ANALYSIS
It’s the process of understanding and defining
the problem to be solved
It’s not problem solving
Problem solving identifies solutions that
conform to the needs and constrains of the
problem.
Common Problem:
Propose a solution too early
Not considering the restrictions and possible
shortcuts associated with the problem
Result : Incomplete or Excessive Solution
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BCS/BIT313k Supplement Materials: Module 3
STEPS FOR PROBLEM ANALYSIS
1. Define the Problem
2. Understand the Root Causes
3. Identify the Affected People
4. Define the Scope of the Solution
5. Identify Solution Constraints
STEP 1: DEFINE THE PROBLEMS
The most difficult part but the most
important
Can’t state the problem Can’t even know
where to begin in solving it
Some Helping Tips:
Put the problems in writing
Get multiple perspectives
Look for deeper problems
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STEP 2: UNDERSTAND THE ROOT
CAUSES
What’s the problem behind the problem?
Many times, The problems being seen is not
the main/core problem
The problems is just the result of the root
causes
Some Guide Questions:
What is the primary problem?
What are the contributing factors?
Who knows about the problem?
STEP 3: IDENTIFY THE AFFECTED
PEOPLE
Each problem will affect a given group of
people, known as stakeholders
Each stakeholders have different needs and
concerns
Possible Stakeholders:
Customer – served by the solution
User – apply or use the solution
Management or Authorities – controls the
solution
Project Sponsor – initiates or funds for the
solution
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STEP 4: DEFINE THE SCOPE OF THE
SOLUTION
Scope of the Solution
The boundaries need to work within to solve
the problem
Addresses the things that are within control
by the proponent to address
Two perspectives of a solution:
Internal – focuses on the problem to be solved
from the perspective of the proponent
External – focuses on the people or things that
interact from the outside such as customers,
suppliers and users
Scope of the Solution
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STEP 5:
IDENTIFY SOLUTION CONSTRAINTS
Solution Constraints
The barriers to solve the problem
A know lack of something or an inhibitor
such as:
Lack of time to complete the solution
Lack of money to perform the solution
Lack of people to work on the solution
Lack of technology to give a leverage in solving the problem
Political problems which inhibit people from cooperating in
solving the problem
Environmental problems, which inhibit a solution due to the
nature of the business, technical environment, geographic
environment, etc.
CHOOSING A RIGHT PROBLEM
AND POSSIBLE SOLUTION
For BSCS:
Guide Questions:
Do the main problems has already an existing
solution?
Do the main problems can be solve by creating
or applying (adapting or modifying) algorithm
(algorithmic-based solution)?
What is/are the possible research area/s of the
defined solution to the problem (Tip: read and
study each research area)?
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BCS/BIT313k Supplement Materials: Module 3
CHOOSING A RIGHT PROBLEM
AND POSSIBLE SOLUTION
For BSIT:
Guide Questions:
Do the main problems has already an existing
solution?
What is/are the possible IT research area/s of
the defined solution to the problem (Tip: read
and study each research area)?
SOURCES & REFERENCES:
Rice, R. (n.d.). Solving the Right Problem – Step One
in Software Development. Requirements Articles |
Articles.
https://riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/Requirem
ents-Articles/solving-the-right-problem-step-one-in-
software-development.html
CHED Memorandum Order(CMO) No 25, Series of
2015. https://ched.gov.ph/wp-
content/uploads/2017/10/CMO-no.-25-s.-2015.pdf
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BCS/BIT313k Supplement Materials: Module 3
SOFTWARE
PLANNING
PROBLEM DOMAIN
The area of expertise or application that
needs to be examined to solve a problem
a set of circumstances to provide a
solutions.
Example:
Designing and developing a new system to
improve the enrolment procedures of UNC
Developing a decision support system for
Evacuation planning and procedure of UNC-
DRRMC
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BCS/BIT313k Supplement Materials: Module 3
SOFTWARE SYSTEM ANALYST
One of the key persons during software
planning
Do the key activities of System Analysis:
Collecting and interpreting information
Identifying the problem domain or the problems
Decomposition of a solution
SOFTWARE SYSTEM ANALYST
Qualities of a System Analyst:
Problem solver
Good communicator (technical and non-
technical)
Self motivated and disciplined
Has strong personal and professional ethics
Knowledgeable and has expertise
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INFORMATION GATHERING
The key resource of
successful software
project is
information
THE STAKEHOLDERS
Possible sources of information
Some Universal Categories of
Stakeholders:
End Users
• Direct Users
• Secondary Users
Beneficiaries
Authorities
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THE STAKEHOLDERS
Categories of Users in an
Organization:
Operational Users
Supervisory Users
Executive-level Users
INFORMATION GATHERING
METHODS
Interactive Methods:
Interview
Joint Application Design (JAD)
Using Questionnaire
Unobtrusive Methods:
Sampling
Investigation
Quantitative Documents
Qualitative Documents
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ASSIGNMENT TASK
(INDIVIDUAL TASK)
Task: Essay discussion of initial software
plan
Guide Questions:
What is your target problem domain?
What specific customer problems and needs you
want to address?
Who is your stakeholders and why?
What information and data you will gather from
each stakeholder?
What information gathering methods you will
use to gather that information?
INITIAL PROJECT REQUIREMENT
TASK
Summarize each group member essay
discussion and fill up the
Project Requirement 1: Initial Software
Plan form
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