The Circle of Life (life cycle of design)

Example:
London Underground
Cash based to computer based.

Problem

Identify a problem.

Analyse

Design

Needs to meet specification.

Implementation

Implement at multiple levels.

Test

System test

User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Install

Maintain

Evaluate

Successful?

2 main methodologies:

Waterfall method: 

• Can be more reliable as parts of the design process are built on top of each other (require affective base work).
• The user can review at each stage.
• Difficult to review complex projects afterwards.
• No REAL prototyping (LONG time for visible results).

Spiral method:

• Can review sections of the design process multiple times.
• Avoids risk.
• Lots of prototyping (keeps the user involved).
• Gets feedback.
• 'Baby steps' slow but steady.
• Prototype tends to go live.
• Low level of communication.

Information Gathering:

• Interview.

This can be time consuming, but it does allow you to probe for answers and get first hand information.

• Questionnaire.

This is useful when there are lots of users, although there is a limit to how much you will find out. 

• Observe the current system.

Although time- consuming, this is objective rather than subjective and you might spot things that the user doesn't.

• Examine the existing documentation.

This is very useful for identifying the data requirements, as well as the input and output required.