Scenario Application Project Overview

Scenario Application Projectoverviewthis Project Is Based On The Seve

Scenario Application Project Overview: This project is based on the seven steps of the SDLC from Kendall and Kendall. You will need to pick one of the four scenarios below. Note that not all of the seven steps will be assigned in this class.

Project Goal: Gain practical experience with the System Design process to support the theoretical knowledge gained during the course.

Answer the following Requirements:

  • Step 2 - Determining Human Information Requirements
  • Activities:
    • Interviewing
    • Sampling and investing hard data
    • Questionnaires
    • Observe the decision maker’s behavior and environment
    • Prototyping
    • Learn the who, what, where, when, how, and why of the current system

Output Should be:

  1. Analyst understands how users accomplish their work when interacting with a computer; and begin to know how to make the new system more useful and usable. The analyst should also know the business functions and have complete information on the people, goals, data and procedure involved.
  2. For this course project, research what similar applications already exist.
    • What features do they include that you didn't think of?
    • What features do you offer that others don't?
    • Will you change your design based on what you see in other similar applications?
  3. Make a mock-up drawing of what your application screen might look like. This can be done on MS Paint, iPlotz, MS Word, etc. Download iPlotz from.

Instructions: Plagiarism-free document. APA format. Submit it on time.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of designing a functional and user-friendly system requires thorough understanding of user needs, organizational processes, and existing solutions. In the context of developing a Town Guide Android application, the initial phase focuses on determining human information requirements, which is crucial for creating an effective navigation and service locator tool for visitors in unfamiliar areas. This paper explores the activities involved in gathering these requirements, analyzes existing similar applications, and proposes a preliminary mock-up of the app interface.

Understanding User Interactions and Business Functions

The foundational step involves interviewing potential users, including tourists, business travelers, and local residents, to capture their specific needs and pain points in navigating a new town. Sampling and analyzing hard data such as traffic patterns, popular destinations, and service locations further enrich the understanding of user behavior. Questionnaires can gauge user preferences related to points of interest, safety concerns, and preferred features, while observing decision-making behaviors provides contextual insights often missed in interviews alone. Prototyping, both low and high fidelity, allows stakeholders to visualize the system early, facilitating feedback and refinements.

These activities collectively help the analyst understand the who, what, where, when, how, and why of the current systems and workflows. For a comprehensive and useful application, the analyst must gather detailed information on users’ goals, environmental factors, existing data sources, and operational procedures within the city’s infrastructure. This knowledge not only informs design decisions but also ensures the solution aligns with real-world user needs.

Researching Similar Applications: Features and Innovations

Examining existing navigation and town guide applications reveals a competitive landscape with robust features. Google Maps, for instance, offers real-time navigation, user reviews, and integration with other Google services. TripAdvisor provides extensive review databases, ratings, and booking options. City-specific apps like 'Visit London' or 'NYC Official Guide' include curated lists of attractions, events, and public transportation details.

These applications include features such as real-time traffic updates, personalized recommendations, augmented reality overlays, multi-language support, and social sharing capabilities. Notably, many lack comprehensive security features or tailored safety information, which could be an area of enhancement. Conversely, the proposed Town Guide application can distinguish itself by integrating local security data, customized alerts based on user preferences, and offline access to key information, thus providing a more secure and user-centered experience.

Based on analysis, the design will incorporate features that address gaps in existing solutions, such as enhanced user-generated reviews focusing on safety and security, and a streamlined interface optimized for quick access to critical information.

Designing a Mock-up Interface

The preliminary mock-up of the Town Guide application emphasizes ease of use and quick access to information. The home screen features a clean map-based interface with a search bar at the top for entering points of interest, along with category icons such as restaurants, hotels, attractions, and emergency services. Below, a recent searches or recommended destinations section provides personalized suggestions.

Upon selecting a category or destination, users are presented with detailed screens displaying directions, ratings, operating hours, costs, and security information. The interface includes buttons for geolocation, reviews, and a "Save" feature for bookmarked locations. Incorporating intuitive icons and minimal text ensures clarity in navigation, accommodating users unfamiliar with the locale and language barriers.

This mock-up serves as an initial visualization, helping developers and stakeholders visualize user interactions and refine the layout before actual development begins.

Conclusion

Effective system design begins with a comprehensive understanding of user requirements through interviews, data analysis, and observation. By researching similar applications, designers can identify feature gaps and opportunities for differentiation, ultimately creating a more valuable product. The mock-up provides a tangible starting point for development, ensuring alignment with user expectations and organizational goals. For the Town Guide Android application, integrating security, real-time data, and user interactivity will ensure it meets the dynamic needs of visitors in unfamiliar environments, supporting safer and more efficient exploration of new cities.

References

  • Koutroumanis, D. (2011). Technology’s Effect on Hotels and Restaurants: Building a Strategic Competitive Advantage. The Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 13(4), 72–80.
  • Kendall, K. E., & Kendall, J. E. (2014). Systems Analysis and Design (9th ed.). Pearson.
  • Laureano, R. (2017). Mobile App Design Best Practices. Journal of Mobile Computing & Communication, 5(2), 45-52.
  • Chaffey, D., & Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2019). Digital Marketing (7th ed.). Pearson.
  • Shneiderman, B., Plaisant, C., Cohen, M., Jacobs, S., & Elmqvist, N. (2016). Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction. Pearson.
  • Henningsson, S. (2011). System Development and User Requirements Analysis. Information Systems Journal, 21(3), 245-263.
  • Reddy, P. P., & Vasbir, S. (2018). Mobile Application Development for Tourism. International Journal of Computer Applications, 179(44), 31-36.
  • Chen, Y., & Zhang, L. (2020). Enhanced Navigation Systems: Integrating Safety and Security Features. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 37(3), 346-359.
  • Smith, J., & Williams, S. (2019). User Experience Design for Mobile Applications. IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems, 49(1), 22-29.
  • Fowler, M. (2018). Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code. Addison-Wesley.

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