Think About The System TAMUC Uses For Career Services

Think About The System Tamuc Currently Uses For Career Services And As

Think about the system TAMUC currently uses for career services and assume that the university has recruited you to develop a mobile app for students to access the career services system. The goal of the proposed mobile app is to create a system which facilitates the process of applying for internships and jobs using mobile devices. How will you decide on the technology architecture for this mobile app? Identify and describe five steps that you will take to make this decision.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing a mobile application for Texas A&M University-Commerce (TAMUC) career services system requires a systematic approach to determine an appropriate technology architecture. The architecture forms the backbone of the app, affecting its performance, scalability, security, and user experience. The process involves several strategic steps to ensure that the chosen architecture aligns with the university’s needs, existing systems, and future growth. This paper discusses five key steps that guide the decision-making process for selecting the optimal technology architecture for TAMUC’s career services mobile app.

1. Analyze Existing Systems and Business Requirements

The first step involves a comprehensive analysis of TAMUC’s current career services system and understanding the specific needs of students, staff, and administration. This analysis includes identifying the functionalities offered by the existing system, such as job postings, application tracking, resume uploads, and communication channels. It is crucial to determine how these functionalities can be integrated or enhanced in the mobile app. Moreover, the analysis evaluates system dependencies, data flows, and existing technology infrastructure, such as databases, web services, and authentication mechanisms. Understanding these aspects ensures that the new app will be compatible with current systems or will complement them effectively. Additionally, gathering user requirements through surveys or interviews helps in identifying essential features and performance expectations, further guiding architectural choices.

2. Define Non-Functional Requirements and Constraints

Non-functional requirements shape the architecture by setting boundaries and quality standards that the mobile app must meet. Key considerations include scalability to accommodate future growth, security measures to protect sensitive student and employment data, performance to ensure quick load times and responsiveness, and usability for a seamless user experience. Constraints such as budget limitations, timeline, available developer expertise, and device compatibility also influence architectural decisions. For example, a high-security environment may necessitate incorporating encryption protocols and secure authentication mechanisms. Balancing these requirements and constraints helps in selecting an architecture that not only fulfills functional needs but also ensures robustness and longevity.

3. Evaluate Architectural Styles and Technologies

With an understanding of the business and non-functional requirements, the next step is to evaluate different architectural styles and the underlying technologies. Common architectural options for mobile apps include native, hybrid, and cross-platform development. Native architectures offer high performance and device-specific features but may increase development time and costs. Hybrid and cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter enable faster development and code reuse across Android and iOS devices, though they may have some performance trade-offs. Other considerations include the use of cloud-based backend services (e.g., AWS, Firebase) for scalability and data management, RESTful APIs for communication between the app and existing systems, and security frameworks aligned with university policies. This evaluation helps in selecting the most appropriate combination of architecture and technology stacks suited to TAMUC’s specific needs.

4. Assess Integration and Compatibility

Ensuring seamless integration with TAMUC’s existing career services system is critical. This step involves analyzing the compatibility of different architectural options with current infrastructure such as databases, web services, and authentication systems (e.g., LDAP, Single Sign-On). Integration considerations also include data synchronization, API availability, and the ability to extend functionalities in the future. For instance, choosing a REST API-based architecture can facilitate easier communication with existing web applications and databases, enabling real-time data updates. Compatibility also involves evaluating device compatibility, adherence to accessibility standards, and platform-specific constraints. An architecture that simplifies integration reduces development complexities and future maintenance efforts.

5. Prototype, Test, and Decide

The final step involves developing prototypes based on shortlisted architectural options and conducting testing to assess performance, security, usability, and integration capabilities. Prototyping allows the development team to evaluate how well each architecture meets the specified requirements in real-world scenarios. This iterative process helps identify potential issues early and provides insights into the trade-offs associated with each choice. Feedback from stakeholders, including students and career services staff, further informs the decision. After comprehensive testing and evaluation, the most suitable architecture is selected, ensuring it aligns with TAMUC’s strategic goals and technical environment.

Conclusion

Deciding on a technology architecture for TAMUC’s career services mobile app involves a methodical process grounded in understanding existing systems, defining requirements, assessing technological options, ensuring compatibility, and validating through prototyping. Each step ensures that the final architecture supports the app’s functional needs, performance standards, security, and future scalability, ultimately facilitating a seamless and efficient application process for students seeking internships and jobs.

References

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