ACTIVITY 2B: Problem Solving Methods

Duration: 2 Hours

Learning Outcomes
This lab activity encompasses activities 2B.1, 2B.2, 2B.3, 2B.4 and 2B.5

By the end of this practical session, you should be able to:

1. Identify the input, process and output based on problem statement.
2. Illustrate the problem solving concept using IPO chart based on the problem statement.
3. Identify various tools used in problem solving.

CASE STUDY

Infinity Design Solution Sdn. Bhd, an advertising company wants to automate the system of managing Human
Resources (HR) data. Cik Suria was selected to be an IT programmer for Infinity Design Solution. En.
Mohamed insist to develop a system to manage staff payroll. Cik Suria has to prepare a proposal for payroll
system.

INSTRUCTION:
1. You have been assigned to help Cik Suria to prepare a proposal which include:
 System analysis (define input, process and output)
 Create a complete IPO chart

Activity 2B.1
Activity Outcome: System analysis (define input, process and output ) Duration :
20 minutes

You try to find out some exercises to identify input, process and output from real life application as below:

Problem 1:

Below is the set of work flows of Auto Pay Machine for Parking Ticket. Select the appropriate instruction to be place in
the correct box by categorizing them into input, process and output instructions. Highlight / underline your answer.

Set of Instructions:
Insert parking ticket ( input / process / output )
The payment will be calculated based on the duration ( input / process / output )
Parking fee will be displayed ( input / process / output )
Pay by notes or coins ( input / process / output )
Calculate the change for payment balance ( input / process / output )
Processed parking ticket ( input / process / output )
Verify amount of money inserted ( input / process / output )
 Problem 2:

Below is the set of work flows of Course Registration for student. Select the appropriate instruction to be place in
the correct box by categorizing them into input, process and output instructions. Highlight / underline your answer.

Set of Instructions:

1) Save selected class for course registration in the database ( input / process / output )
2) Course registration slip display at the screen ( input / process / output )
3) Select course for registration ( input / process / output )
4) Printed course registration slip ( input / process / output )
5) Enter your ID and password ( input / process / output )
6) System will validate your ID and password ( input / process / output )
7) Select the class that offer the course selected before ( input / process / output )
8) Save selected course registration in the database ( input / process / output )

Activity 2B.2
Activity Outcome: System analysis (Identify input, process and output) Duration :
45 minutes

You do some research on defining input, process and output for certain problem as examples below:

Problem 1: Input: 3 numbers

Calculate total of three Process : Calculate total of three numbers by add all 3 numbers
numbers Output : total of three numbers
Problem 2: Input: birth year, current year
Calculate age Process : Calculate age by current year deduct birth year
Output : age

You try some exercise to get more understanding about defining input, process and output as below:

Problem 1: Input:
To rent a video, customer need to scan the video serial
number at our shop scanner and the details of the
video will be save in the system automatically. Next,
the scanner will print out the details about the video Process :
rental. Lastly, the customer needs to go to counter and
pay for the rental fee.

Output :
Problem 2: Input:
Every employee needs to thumb their fingerprint
everyday as proof of their daily attendance to the
work. Then the attendance system will save the Process :
employee information such as name, time and date.
The information can be printed out at the end of the
month. Output :

Problem 3: Input:
To buy the books from the book shop, cashier will
scan the price of the books and quantity of the book.
Then the system will calculate the total price of the Process :
books.

Output :

Problem 4: Input:
Aiman wants to know his BMI. His weight is
calculated in kilogram and height is calculated in
meter. Help Aiman to find his BMI. Process :

Output :

Problem 5: Input:
Create a receipt for a list of five (5) purchased items.
Print the total price, compute the total with 8.25%
tax and print the money tendered (plus any change Process :
given).

Output :

Problem 6: Input:
You have been hired by Prima Hotel as a
programmer. Your task is to develop a program that
can count the total rate by multiply room rate with Process :
number of days, and add 10% room service charges.
Draw the flowchart by using the problem analysis
below.

Output :
 Problem 7: Input:
Mr Wong is a mathematics teacher. He
wants to teach his students about how to
convert time in hour into the times in minute. Help Process :
Mr Wong to solve his problem.

Output :

manage staff payroll

Case Scenario (define input, process, output)

Activity 2B.3
Activity Outcome: System analysis (Identify input, process and output ) Duration :
15 minutes

Define input, process and output for module manage staff payroll.

Case Senario: Input:

The system will automate the process of calculate
payroll for employees worked at Infinity Design
Solution Sdn. Bhd. Each employee will be recognized
by employee ID. The system will receive basic salary,
allowance, overtime, income tax and loan deduction. Process :
The system will automatically calculate the gross
salary, total deduction and net salary for the
employee.

Output :
 Activity 2B.4
Activity Outcome: create a complete IPO chart Duration :
25 minutes

Cik Suria wants you to summarize your input, process and output into IPO chart. You do some research on IPO
chart as examples below:

Problem 1: Input: 3 numbers

Calculate total of three Process : Calculate total of three numbers by add all 3 numbers
numbers Output : total of three numbers

IPO chart:

Input Process Output

3 numbers Add all 3 numbers Total

Problem 2: Input: birth year, current year

Calculate age Process : Calculate age by current year deduct birth year
Output : age

IPO chart :

Input Process Output

birth year, current year current year – birth year age

You try some exercise to get more understanding about IPO chart as below:

PROBLE IPO
M CHART
Problem 1:
To rent a video, customer need to scan the
video serial number at our shop scanner
and the details of the video will be save in
the system automatically. Next, the scanner
will print out the details about the video
rental. Lastly, the customer needs to go to
counter and pay for the rental fee.

Problem 2:
Every employee needs to thumb their
fingerprint everyday as proof of their daily
attendance to the work. Then the
attendance system will save the employee
information such as name, time and date.
The information can be printed out at the
end of the month.
 Problem 3:
To buy the books from the book shop,
cashier will scan the price of the books and
quantity of the book. Then the system will
calculate the total price of the books.

manage staff payroll

Case Scenario (IPO chart)

Activity 2B.5
Activity Outcome: create a complete IPO chart Duration :
15 minutes

Define IPO chart for module manage staff payroll.

Case Senario:
The system will automate the process of calculate payroll for employees worked at Infinity Design
Solution Sdn. Bhd. Each employee will be recognized by employee ID. The system will receive basic
salary, allowance, overtime, income tax and loan deduction. The system will automatically calculate
the gross salary, total deduction and net salary for the employee.

IPO chart :

Input Process Output