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Unit 13: Redesigning the Organization with Information Systems

13.5.2 Completing the Systems Development Process Notes

The remaining step in the system development process translates the solution specifications
established during systems analysis and design into fully operational information system.
There concluding steps consist of programming, testing, conversion, production, and
maintenance.

Programming

The process of translating the system specifications prepared during the design stage into program
code.

Testing

The exhaustive and through process that determines whether the system produces the desired
results under know conditions. Testing information can be broken down into three type of
activities: unit, system, and acceptance testing. Unit testing, or program testing, consists of test
each program separately in the system. System testing test the functioning of the information
system as whole in order to determine if discrete modules will function together as planned and
whether discrepancies exist between the way the system actually works and the way it was
conceived. Acceptance testing provides the final and management certification that the system
is ready to be used in a production setting.

Notes Systems test are evaluated by user and reviewed by management. When all parties
are satisfied that the new system meet their standard, the systems is formally accepted for
installation.

Conversion

Conversion is the process of changing form the old system to the new system. Four main
conversion strategies be employed: the parallel strategy, the direct cut over strategy, the pilot
study strategy, and the phased approach strategy.

Parallel strategy a safe and conservative conversion approach where both the old system and its
potential replacement are run together for a time until everyone is assured that the new functions
correctly.
The direct cut over a risky conversion approach where the new system completely replaces the
old one on an appointed day.

Pilot study a strategy to introduce the new system to limited area of the organization until it is
proven to be fully functional; only then can the conversion to the new system across the entire
organization take place.
The phased approach strategy introduces the new system in stages, either by functions or by
organization units

Production and Maintenance

After the new system is installed and conversion is complete, the system is said to be in
production. During this stage the system will be reviewed by both user and technical specialists
to determine how well it has met its original objectives and decide whether any revisions or

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