Among the data gathering techniques used in systems analysis are interviewing, document review, observation, and use of questionnaires. If I were to choose among them, I would be more comfortable on the document review, and observation since these techniques does not really require formal conversation and/or face to face encounter with the persons involved. I am not really that good in oral communication so it would be better if I choose these types of techniques. The use of questionnaires will also be fine with me since I already experienced this on the previous years with the other subject.

But based on my past experiences with gathering data, the techniques I chose earlier was not enough to gather data I needed for the study so, I really needed to challenge myself and have an interview. As much as I really don’t want to have an interview, since I find it the most effective way of gathering data,I was forced to do so. Basing on my personality, I would go for any technique as long as it would give me satisfaction since I am the type of person who can easily adapt to changes so it would just be fine with me to have this technique if this is badly needed. This technique will also be a great help for our project because if there will be some clarifications with our past interviews with the person involved, I can still clarify it personally. I can also impart to the interviewee my opinions on the topic we are discussing. This can also increase my involvement in the said project. I know that interviewing will be a hard task for me since I also have to consider the availability of my interviewee but this can also give me the assurance of having the data I needed. Well, I think the key to this technique is really patience.

I would also choose this technique so that I will get used to talking to other people. This will also serve as a practice or challenge for us to be more competitive in the real world.

To have a successful life, one must set his objectives. He must also have to take some steps that will help him achieve the said objectives. Just like any other student, I also have my own set of objectives in life. Most of my objectives are much more related to my family because they are the first reason why I am setting these objectives.

After discussing the topic Systems Development Life Cycle in our Systems Analysis and Design I subject, I observed that developing a system is also similar with achieving my objectives. Some of the phases gave me ideas on how I can get closer with my objectives and how I can eventually achieve them.
There are only two phases in my own version of SDLC. These are the Planning Phase and the Implementation Phase.

Planning

This phase is important since this is the starting point of everything. First thing to do is to have a list of the possible objectives. I listed everything that came into my mind. I reviewed what I listed and found out that some of them are not necessary so I just left the important ones. After having the list, I had a talk with my family. Even though not formal, I still had the chance to ask for some advice and suggestions. When I already had my final list, I put some estimated time for each of my objectives for me to have a guide. Also in this phase, I have to decide on what steps should I take and how I can achieve those things. I should weigh things carefully so I can have what I really intend to have.

Implementation

In this phase, I should start what I had planned. This time, I put my words into action. Although I know that I can commit mistakes, this won’t be a reason for me to stop trying but this should be a reason for me to keep trying.

I put my own SDLC this way because I think that the design on how I can achieve my objectives in life is already included in the planning phase. The output of the planning phase is a final list of my objectives and the steps I have to take and this will be the input for the next phase which is the Implementation. This Implementation phase starts from the day I started working with and living according to my planned objectives. This will end the time I can fulfill those things.

I think it would be better if I use the adaptive approach since I am living in a fast changing world. If I use this approach, it would be easier for me to adapt to the recent improvements in our environment thus, giving me more chances to achieve my objectives in life.

the approved/proposed system..

Our approved / proposed system is, I think, not worth the three or more years of learnings we had from the university. I admit that the system won’t cover all the things we had learned from the past three years. But, given a limited time of three months to prepare all the documents needed and to conduct a study for this system, I think it will be acceptable to pursue this. Our instructor, Mr. Gamboa, told us that to have a twist in our approved systems, we should have it web ready. Well, this would be an added challenge for us. Our team had a short meeting before we had this proposal. At first, we thought of developing more the system we had on our Database Systems 1. But then, our other groupmates who are in the other team in this Systems Analysis and Design proposed it already. So we had no choice but to find other establishment. Then, we arrived at this newly-opened fashion establishment. The owner had a hard time keeping his records and keeping track of the products he have in his establishment. To help him, we proposed to have their system automated. This Inventory and Ordering System will enable the owner of the establishment to manipulate the data in the records. It will have a record for the dealers, their ordered products as well as their monthly dues. This will help the owner prevent errors to occur in the said records and computations. This system will also keep track on the products of the establishment making the inventory more efficient. I know that at the first look, this system would just actually be a record keeper that will involve simple arithmetic but then, as I pointed out earlier, the time left for us would be a great factor in choosing a system for our proposal.

Where do i go from here

Knowing the phases of the SDLC made me realize that developing a system is not that easy thing and that it will really take time. Three months won’t be enough but for this subject we have no choice but to prepare the documents needed in our project in just a short time – three months. I hope and pray that we can meet the requirements not just to pass this subject but also for our personal growth with the guidance of our instructor. I hope we can make this and that our team will work as one for the success of our project. Our instructor made mention on what do we want after we graduate and that do we know the vision and mission of the college where we belong. At first, I laughed since none of us said “ yes, I know it. ”. But then, I realized that he was right. It’s been three years and a half and we still don’t know if we’re doing in the accordance of the objective of the Institute of Computing. I was disappointed thinking that I still can’t figure it out what I really wanted after taking this course. This made me ask myself - Where do I go from here??

A good plan

Systems Development Life Cycle was the main topic in the reports. The first group reported on the approaches, methodologies and the overview on this topic. The succeeding groups took emphasis on the phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle ( SDLC ). On my own understanding, a good planning can contribute to the succes of a project. The planning phase of the SDLC, I think, should be taken into consideration since it will be the starting point of a project. Well, all of the phases of the SDLC are important but I do believe that a well planned project can be more successful. If a project is not planned properly, then it will not have a strong foundation. If it will not have a strong foundation, then it will not closely be successful. The planning phase is important because in this phase the objective of the project is defined and at the end of this phase, the project will begun with resources, schedules and a budget. I am not saying that, the focus will just be on the planning phase. It should also be continued in the succeeding phases. A good plan will be nothing if the other phases will be taken for granted.

New class

Our class in the Systems Analysis and Design was really amazing. I was amazed with how my classmates participated in the discussion and how good they were in the reporting. They delivered well their reports. I already had Mr. Randy S. Gamboa as my instructor in Analytic Geometry and Statistics but in this subject, it was totally different. It was great to know that he is really pushing us to read more and not to depend on the things reported by our classmates. This made me evaluate myself on how I was in the past three and a half years. I was dependent on the things discussed in the classroom or the things reported by my classmates. Now, I am starting to read everything related to my lessons in school little by little. As one of my classmates said in the discussion, it is not enough that we just listen everything on the reporter but we must also have our own reading about the topic. Since we are all depending on the book, we may have different interpretation on the topics we are reading and this can affect our own understanding.

The sharing part of the class was also interesting. As I was listening to my classmates sharing and exchanging their ideas, I was also learning from what they are imparting.
At the end of all reports, all I can say is that being part of this class really makes me feel good.

It's my first time

Actually, this is my first time in this blog site. It’s interesting to know I am now a blogger – at last. For now, I am still exploring new things from this thing called “ BLOGGING ” and I do admit that I was really challenged to know more about this. At first, it was difficult for me since I don’t have any background on blogging since I have a difficulty in putting my words into writing specially using the English language. I am also not a good communicator. But then, as I was making this, something came into my mind. If not because of my Systems Analysis and Design subject, I won’t be able to start blogging and that I won’t have this opportunity to experience what others have experienced.

From now on, I will do my best to be updated and that I can express the things I want in this blog. I hope that this can help me develop my communication skills. I hope I will enjoy what I am starting right now.

Well, wish me luck…..

Saving my English words for the next post…..