The Five Steps in Problem Analysis
The Five Steps in Problem Analysis
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Step 2:
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Fish bone diagram
Fish bone diagram
Fish bone diagram
Fish bone diagram
Fish bone diagram
Fish bone diagram
Fish bone diagram
Fishbone diagram
Fishbone diagram
Fish bone diagram
3. Use an idea-generating
technique (e.g., brainstorming) to
identify the factors within each
category that may be affecting the
problem/issue.
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Fishbone Diagram example
Fishbone diagram example
Fishbone diagram example
Fishbone diagram example
Fishbone diagram example
Fishbone diagram conclusion
Fishbone diagram conclusion
Step 3: Identify the Stakeholders
and the Users
◼ Understanding the needs of the users and
other stakeholders is a key factor in
developing an effective solution.
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Step 3: Identify the Stakeholders
and the Users
Complex problems always involve the input of different
stakeholders that have different viewpoints on the problem.
Users: will use the system
Managers: will pay for the system, or will manage the users
IT people: will install, manage and maintain the system
External regulators: will impose constraints on the system
operation
System developers: will implement a solution to the problem
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Step 3: Identify the Stakeholders
and the Users
◼ For example people and organizations involved in system
development, subcontractors, customer, agencies, such as U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
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Step 3: Identify the Stakeholders
and the Users
How do you identify the stakeholders?
The answer to the following questions will identify the stakeholders:
Who are the users of the system?
Who is the customer (economic buyer) for the system?
Who else will be affected by the outputs that the system produces?
Who will evaluate and bless the system when it is delivered and
deployed?
Are there any other internal or external users of the system whose
needs must be addressed?
Who will maintain the new system?
Is there anyone else?
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Example: Users and Stakeholders of
Sales Order Entry System
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Step 4: Define the Solution System
Boundary
◼ Once the problem statement is agreed to and the users,
stakeholders are identified, we can define a system that
can be deployed to address the problem
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Step 4: Define the Solution System
Boundary
◼ The system boundary defines the border between the
solution and the real world that surrounds the solution
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Step 4: Define the Solution System
Boundary
◼ All interactions with the system occur via interfaces between
the system and the external world
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Examples:
Political system
Educational system
Computer system
Library system …
What is a system?
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Systems Main Characteristics
◼ Exists in an environment,
◼ with a boundary.
◼ Has inputs and outputs.
◼ Has interfaces for communications.
◼ May have sub-systems.
◼ Has a control mechanism,
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Actors
◼ An actor is someone or something outside the
system that interacts with the system
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Identifying Actors: Helpful
Questions
◼ Who will supply, use, or remove information from
the system?
◼ Who will operate the system?
◼ Who will perform any system maintenance?
◼ Where will the system be used?
◼ Where does the system get its information?
◼ What other external systems will interact with the
system?
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Potential Sources of System
Constraints
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Potential Sources of System
Constraints
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Sources of Constraints and Their Rationale
for Sales Order Entry System
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