Systems analysis is a very broad term that can be hard to define. It is a process that examines current complex systems such as business applications, and determines how they can be improved by evaluating cost, efficiency, and usability.
Project 1: Group Final Project focusing on a DNA Analysis Company that “hired” a team to improve their current system. I focused on:
- SWOT Analysis
- PERT/CPM Analysis
- DFDs
- Logical flowcharts
- UI Input and Output Screens
This is only my portion of the Final Project which focuses on an in-depth analysis of the current system the company is using and how it can be upgraded to have better UI, better user satisfaction based on customer feedback, and better internal business operations.
SWOT Analysis:
This section breaks down DNA & Your Ancestry’s current resources by displaying their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. With this analysis, DNA & Your Ancestry can develop a successful plan to meet future business needs.
| Strengths: DNA & Your Ancestry provides clinically valid analysis information which will benefit them even more if they expand their services because customers will trust them to keep on providing accurate analytical information on their genetic results. | Weaknesses: The current IS system that DNA & your ancestry use do not support the needs of the business. They have a small database that will not be able to store all the new information that will be added if a new service is implemented in the company. |
| Opportunities: The high demand for genetic information to determine health risks can create opportunities for the company to expand and grow its profits. Due to this high demand, the company can has the opportunity to improve their information system to meet its needs. | Threats: Since customers think that DNA & Your Ancestry do not distinguish themselves from other genetic service companies because of the lack of more specific genetic information so if they continue with the same services, their sales and customers can diminish. |
PERT Analysis
The PERT Analysis is the graphical version of the task list and quantifies how long the proposed project would take along with the length of each task.
Critical Path
The critical path found below uses the PERT Analysis to find the most important tasks of the entire project to differentiate what is crucial to the project and what can be reduced or redefined in the scope.
Data Flow Diagrams (DFDS)
A DFD or data flow diagram helps visualize certain processes that the new information system will be handling.
Context Diagram
A Context diagram will only have one process and a limited number of entities. In this diagram the entity “Customer” sends their order information to the order process. The process converts the information into what the company needs in the customer order. The company then sends the DNA data to the process and the customer will receive their completed DNA analysis.
Diagram 0
Diagram 0 includes multiple processes along with other facets such as a datastore. In this figure, there are the same two entities, “Customer” and “Company”. There are now two different processes, “Payment Process” and “DNA Processing”. The customer will send their payment information to the payment process received by the company. The company will then send the customer the saliva kit to collect DNA. Once the customer has completed the saliva kit, the company will collect the sample and process the DNA. Once the DNA report is completed, it is saved in the DNA database and the report is sent to the customer.
Logical Flowcharts
A logical flowchart is a figure that helps decide what information is needed from a customer or company to continue with a process. In this case, the flowchart shows what information is needed from the customer to complete the order process.
In the flowchart, A customer selects a kit, and depending on which one or ones they select, they will be sent different kits in the mail. The next step is for the customer to send their DNA sample to the company. The next step is confirming if the saliva sample is in the sent package and if it is, the flowchart goes immediately to the end. If the customer did not send the saliva, the company must email the customer to see if they’d like to continue with the DNA analysis. If the customer wants to continue, the company must send another DNA kit, and if the customer does not, the order will be canceled.
UI Input Screens
A User Interface Input Screen is a mock webpage of what a user would see on their end where they would input data into the website.
The first interface covers the following requirements:
- Allows users to view the different DNA Kit plans and allows users to add them to their cart by adding the add to cart button on each of the kit options.
- The interface allows users to view prices of each DNA Kit.
- The interface allows customers to click the cart icon to purchase a DNA Kit.
- The interface makes it possible for users to go back to the main webpage, the shop page, the about us page, and the contact page at any point on the website.
- There is a sign in button for users who have created an account to sign in and view their orders and results.
The second interface covers the following requirements:
- This interface allows users to see the product/s that are in their carts.
- This interface lets the user add their debit or credit card.
- There is a separate submit button that allows users to enter a promo code.
- This interface lets the user see their total before and after tax and shipping.
- The webpage has a Pay Now button to submit the order.
- The interface makes it possible for users to go back to the main webpage, the shop page, the about us page, and the contact page at any point on the website.
- There is a sign in button for users who have created an account to sign in and view their orders and results.
- The main heading on the page tells the user what page they are on.
UI Output Screens
An output screen is a webpage shown to the customer after they have input their information.
The first output screen covers the following requirements:
- A customer must be able to download or share their DNA test results.
- A customer must be able to see the raw data that was used to create their DNA test results.
- A customer must be able to see their DNA ancestry results on a map as well as in a table.
- A customer can exit the results page.
- A customer can see their name at the top of the page to know it is their own result summary.
The second output screen covers the following requirements:
- A customer must be able to download or share their DNA test results.
- A customer must be able to see the raw data that was used to create their health risk summary results.
- A customer must be able to see their hereditary predispositions based on severity.
- A customer must be able to see what their health risk means and what to do to decrease it.
- A customer can exit the results page.
- A customer can see their name at the top of the page to know it is their own result summary.
Conclusion
Upgrading DNA & Your Ancestry’s information system is essential to meet the growing needs of the company. Our recommendations stated above address the critical need for upgrading DNA & Your Ancestry’s current system to stay on top of the competitive market in DNA analysis. By enhancing hardware and software, we will be able to improve data storage and accuracy, reports, customer access and customer ratings, and add additional services to new and current customers. This upgrade promises to revolutionize DNA & Your Ancestry’s operations to improve decision making and enhance customer satisfaction.