INPUT DESIGN

Input design is the link that ties the information system into the world of its users. The input
design involves determining the inputs, validating the data, minimizing the data entry and
provides a multi-user facility. Inaccurate inputs are the most common cause of errors in data
processing. Errors entered by the data entry operators can be controlled by input design. The
user-originated inputs are converted to a computer based format in the input design. Input data
are collected and organized into groups of similar data. Once identified, the appropriate input
media are selected for processing. All the input data are validated and if any data violates any
conditions, the user is warned by a message. If the data satisfies all the conditions, it is
transferred to the appropriate tables in the database. A page is designed for this purpose which is
user friendly and easy to use. The design is done such that users get appropriate messages when
exceptions occur. Input design is the part of the overall system design that requires very careful
attention and is the most expensive phase. It is the point of contact for the users with the
computer system and so it itself is prone to error. If data going into the system is incorrect then
processing and output will magnify these errors. Objective during input design are as follows: •
Produce cost effective method input. • Achieve high-level accuracy. • Ensure that input is free of
ambiguity. The input type involves converting the user-originated inputs into a computer based
format. The aim of the computer design is to make the data entry easier, logical error free. It
helps us to filler errors in the input data that otherwise entered into the database might have
brought in a lot of inconsistency. Alert for wrong entries such as primary key duplication, letters
in numeric data, wrong data format, range exceed have been provided in the application. Upon
this, a well-documented instruction set and navigation maps have been also provided for the non-
frequent and first-time users to familiarize them with our App. Maximum care has been taken to
ensure that users type in only minimum data into the system, as all he or she will have to do is to
move and click the mouse or strike a key to select the desired data at the desired position. The
screens are designed in such a way that the user can find the needed components like options,
actions etc. with ease of use. The needed columns where interaction is needed like Labels, Push
Buttons etc. are also simple. The related data columns are clubbed together as groups, this is
made so that the user can understand the related data easily and the data entered suits the
purpose. The input design is the link between the information system and the user. It comprises
developing specification and procedures for data preparation and those steps that are necessary to
put input data into a usable form for processing data entry. Instructing the computer to read data
from a written or a printed document can achieve the activity of putting data into the computer
for processing or it can occur by having people key data directly into the system. The design of
inputs focuses on controlling the amount of inputs required, controlling errors, avoiding delay,
avoiding extra steps and keeping the process simple.

OUTPUT DESIGN

Computer output is the most important and direct source of information to the user. Output
design is a very important phase since the output needs to be in an efficient manner. Efficient and
intelligible output design improves the system relationship with the user and helps in decision
making. Allowing the user to view the sample screen is important because the user is the
ultimate judge of the quality of output. The output module of this system is the selected
notifications. An inevitable activity in the system design is the proper design of output in a form
acceptable to the user. Outputs from the system are required primarily to communicate the result
of processing to users. Outputs also provide a permanent copy of the results for later
consultation. An intelligible output will improve system relationship with the user and help in the
decision-making process. The various types of outputs required by most systems are: • External
Outputs: Whose destination is outside the organization and which require special attention •
Internal Outputs: Whose destination is within the organization and which require careful design
because they are user’s main interface with the computer? • Operational Outputs: Whose use is
purely within the computer department? • Interactive Outputs: Which involve the user in
communicating with the computer? The approach to output design is very dependent on the type
of output and nature of data. Special attention has to be made to data editing. The choice of
appropriate output medium is also an important task. The selection may be affected by the
following kinds of consideration. • Response time. • Location of users. • Cost. •
Software/hardware. • Suitability of the device for application concerned. The output design must
be specified and documented, data items have to be accurately defined and arranged for clarity
and easy comprehension. The other two objectives that were taken care of were: The
interpretation of the results of the computer part of the system to users in a form that they can
understand meets their requirements. The output Design specification is made in such a way that
it is unambiguous, comprehensive and capable of being translated into a programming language.