Database Analysis and the

DreamHome Case Study

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Objectives
 When fact-finding techniques are used in the database application lifecycle.

 The types of facts collected in each stage of the database application lifecycle.

 The types of documentation produced in each stage of the database application

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- Objectives
 The most commonly used fact-finding techniques.

 How to use each fact-finding technique and the advantages and disadvantages of
each.

 About a property rental company called DreamHome.

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- Objectives

 How to apply fact-finding techniques to the early stages of the database

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Fact-finding techniques
 It is critical to capture the necessary facts to build the required database application.

 These facts are captured using fact-finding techniques.

 The formal process of using techniques such as interviews and questionnaires to

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When Are Fact-Finding Techniques Used?
 Fact-finding used throughout the database application lifecycle. Crucial to the
early stages including database planning, system definition, and requirements
collection and analysis stages.

 Enables developer to learn about the terminology, problems, opportunities,

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Examples of data captured and documentation
produced during the database application lifecycle

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Fact-Finding Techniques
 A database developer normally uses several fact-finding techniques during a single
database project including:
 examining documentation
 interviewing
 observing the organization in operation
 research
 questionnaires

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Examining documentation
 Can be useful
 to gain some insight as to how the need for a database arose.
 to identify the part of the organization associated with the problem.
 To understand the current system.

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Examples of types of documentation that should be
examined

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Interviewing
 Most commonly used, and normally most useful, fact-finding technique. Enables
collection of information from individuals face-to-face.

 Objectives include finding out facts, verifying facts, clarifying facts, generating
enthusiasm, getting the end-user involved, identifying requirements, and
gathering ideas and opinions.

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Advantages and disadvantages of
interviewing

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Interviewing
 There are two types of interviews unstructured and structured.

 Open-ended questions allow the interviewee to respond in any way that seems
appropriate.

 Closed-ended questions restrict answers to either specific choices or short, direct

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Observing the Organization in Operation
 An effective technique for understanding a system.

 Possible to either participate in, or watch, a person perform activities to learn about
the system.

 Useful when validity of data collected is in question or when the complexity of certain
aspects of the system prevents a clear explanation by the end-users.

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Advantages and disadvantages of using
observation

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Research
 Useful to research the application and problem.

 Use computer trade journals, reference books, and the Internet (including user
groups and bulletin boards).

 Provide information on how others have solved similar problems, plus whether or not
software packages exist to solve or even partially solve the problem.

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Advantages and disadvantages of using
research

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Questionnaires
 Conduct surveys through questionnaires, which are special-purpose documents
that allow facts to be gathered from a large number of people while maintaining
some control over their responses.

 There are two types of questions, namely free-format and fixed-format.

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Advantages and disadvantages
of using questionnaires

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Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

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Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

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Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

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Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

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Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

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Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

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Using Fact-Finding Techniques –
A Worked Example

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Mission Statement for DreamHome
Database System

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Mission Objectives for DreamHome
Database System

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System Boundary for DreamHome
Database System

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Major User Views for DreamHome
Database System

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Cross-reference of user views with main
types of data used by each

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