MIS605 Assessment 2: Brief Design Specification

Mis605 Assessment 2 Brief Design Specification Page 1 Of 8 Task Summar

Perform process and data modelling for the online student enrolment system at ABC University, developing UML diagrams including Context Diagram, Level 0 and Level 1 Data Flow Diagrams, Entity Relationship Diagram. Additionally, provide a preliminary data storage design, justify your choice between file system and database storage, and translate your ERD into a normalized relational database design (3NF).

Paper For Above instruction

The development of information systems requires comprehensive analysis of business processes and data flows to ensure efficiency and alignment with organizational needs. In the context of the online student enrolment system at ABC University, it is essential to employ process and data modelling techniques to visualize and document the system’s requirements. These techniques facilitate clearer communication among stakeholders, assist in identifying inefficiencies, and lay the groundwork for an effective database design and implementation.

Process and Data Modelling Fundamentals

Process modelling involves depicting the sequence and interaction of activities within a business process. Data modelling, on the other hand, illustrates how data flows through these processes and how data entities relate to each other. Unified Modelling Language (UML) diagrams such as Context Diagrams and Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) are pivotal tools in capturing these aspects at various levels of abstraction.

System Context Diagram

The initial step is creating a Context Diagram, which provides a high-level overview of the system, its external entities, and data exchanges. For the student enrolment system, external entities include students, university administration, and potential third-party agencies. The system interacts with these entities by receiving student applications, processing enrolment requests, and providing enrollment data. Labels on data flows should use meaningful verbs, such as "submit application," "review application," and "update enrollment." The diagram’s clarity in showing interactions helps determine the scope and boundaries of the system.

Level 0 Data Flow Diagram

The Level 0 DFD expands upon the Context Diagram by identifying main processes such as "Register Student," "Process Applications," "Manage Courses," and "Generate Reports." These processes are interconnected through data flows like "Student Data," "Application Forms," and "Enrollment Status." Data repositories or data stores such as "Student Records" or "Course Catalog" facilitate data storage. Ensuring the diagram is balanced with the context diagram maintains consistency, and clear labeling with action verbs enhances understanding.

Decomposition into Level 1 DFDs

From the high-level processes identified in the Level 0 DFD, three major processes—such as "Process Applications," "Manage Courses," and "Register Student"—are further decomposed into Level 1 DFDs. These detailed diagrams elucidate sub-processes, data flows, and data stores involved in each function. For example, "Process Applications" may include steps like "Verify Student Eligibility," "Check Course Availability," and "Approve Enrollment." These detailed models allow stakeholders to scrutinize specific operations, identify bottlenecks, and optimize workflows.

Entity Relationship Diagram Development

Leveraging experience with similar systems, entities such as Student, Course, Enrollment, and Department are identified. Each entity’s attributes are determined based on their roles; for example, Student may include StudentID, Name, Date of Birth, and Contact Information. Relationships between entities include "enrolls in" between Student and Course, "offered by" between Course and Department, and "records" between Student and Enrollment. An ERD visually demonstrates these entities and their associations, which are crucial for designing the underlying database schema.

Choosing Data Storage: Files vs. Database

For an online student enrolment system, utilizing a database is more appropriate than a simple file system. Databases such as relational DBMS platforms (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) provide structure, data integrity, security, concurrent access, and scalability, which are vital given the volume and complexity of student records. File systems lack these features, making databases the optimal choice for efficient, reliable, and maintainable data management.

Relational Database Design and Normalization

Transforming the ERD into a relational database involves creating tables corresponding to entities and defining keys and constraints. For example, the Student table includes StudentID (primary key), Name, DateOfBirth, etc. The Enrollment table acts as a junction between Student and Course, ensuring many-to-many relationships are accurately modeled. Applying normalization rules up to the third normal form (3NF) minimizes redundancy and dependency issues, resulting in a robust database schema. The tables are designed with foreign keys enforcing referential integrity, and attributes are partitioned appropriately to avoid anomalies.

Conclusion

The systematic application of UML diagrams, data modelling techniques, and database normalization principles facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the online student enrollment system. These models provide clarity, support effective communication among stakeholders, and establish a solid foundation for implementation. The decision to utilize a relational database ensures data integrity, security, and scalability. Ultimately, these design practices contribute to an efficient, reliable, and user-friendly system that aligns with organizational goals and academic needs.

References

• Cai, L., & Yang, J. (2020). System Analysis and Design: An Object-Oriented Approach with UML. Wiley.
• Connolly, T., & Begg, C. (2014). Database Systems (6th ed.). Pearson Education.
• Fowler, M. (2004). UML Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Standard Object Modeling Language. Addison-Wesley.
• Hoffer, J. A., George, J. F., & Valacich, J. S. (2019). Modern Systems Analysis and Design (8th ed.). Pearson.
• Ullman, J. D., & Widom, J. (2008). A First Course in Database Systems (3rd ed.). Pearson.