Kendall7e - ch09 Describing Process Specifications
Kendall7e - ch09 Describing Process Specifications
Kendall7e - ch09 Describing Process Specifications
Learning Objectives
Understand the purpose of process specifications Recognize the difference between structured and semistructured decisions Use structured English, decision tables, and decision trees to analyze, describe, and document structured decisions Choose an appropriate decision analysis method for analyzing structured decisions and creating process specifications
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Logic of Decisions
Documenting and analyzing logic:
Structured English Decision tables Decision trees
Logic and structured decisions are distinguishable from semistructured decisions Structured decision analysis methods promote completeness, accuracy, and communication
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Major Topics
Process specifications Business rules Structured English Decision tables Decision trees Horizontal balancing
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Process Specifications
Sometimes called minispecs Created for primitive processes as well as for some higher level processes on a data flow diagram Created for class methods in objectoriented design and for the steps in a use case
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Figure 9.1 How process specifications relate to the data flow diagram
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Type of Process
Batch Online
Require screen designs
Manual
Should have well-defined procedures for employees performing the process tasks
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Figure 9.2 An example of a completed process specification form for determining whether an item is available
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Structured English
Used when the process logic involves formulas or iteration, or when structured decisions are not complex Based on structured logic and Simple English statements such as add, multiply, and move
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Figure 9.4 Examples of logic expressed in a sequential structure, a decision structure, a case structure, and an iteration
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Decision Tables
A table of rows and columns, separated into four quadrants
Conditions Condition alternatives Actions to be taken Rules for executing the actions
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Figure 9.8 The standard format used for presenting a decision table
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Figure 9.10 Constructing a decision table for deciding which catalog to send to customers who order only from selected catalogs
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Figure 9.14 Checking the decision table for inadvertent contradictions and redundancy is important
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Decision Trees
Decision trees are used when complex branching occurs in a structured decision process Trees are also useful when it is essential to keep a string of decisions in a particular sequence
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Figure 9.15 Drawing a decision tree to show the noncash purchase approval actions for a department store
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How process specifications can be used to balance (and correct) a data flow diagram
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Unresolved areas are posted as questions during follow-up interviews with key users
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Summary
Process specifications Decision Analysis
Structured English
Logic is expressed in sequential structures, decision structures, case structures, or iterations
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Summary (Continued)
Decision tables
Four quadrants are used to
Describe the conditions Identify possible decision alternatives Indicate which actions should be performed Describe the actions
Decision trees
Consists of nodes and branches
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Summary (Continued)
Decision Analysis Advantages
Structured English is useful when many actions are repeated and when communicating with others is important Decision tables provide complete analysis of complex situations while limiting the need for change attributable to impossible situations, redundancies, or contradictions Decision trees are important when proper sequencing of conditions and actions is critical and when each condition is not relevant to each action
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Summary (Continued)
Horizontal balancing
Using process specifications to analyze the data flow and data dictionary
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