Unit - 9

System Construction and

Implementation
System Construction and Implementation

• What is System Construction and Implementation ?

System Construction: It refers to system development,
installation and testing of the system components.
System builders involve in system construction in coordination
with system designers and system analyst.
System Implementation: This refers to the installation and
delivery of the entire system into production
System Construction and Implementation

• The Construction Phase

The purpose of the construction phase is to develop and test a
functional system that fulfills business requirements and to
implement the interfaces between the new system and existing
production system. Programming is the major aspect of the
construction phase.
System Construction and Implementation
System Construction and Implementation

• The Construction Phase

• Build and Test Networks (if Necessary)
Computer hardware and network requirements are decided during design
analysis phase. There could be existing infrastructure which may or may
not meet the requirement of network.
This is the first phase of system construction. Network administrator with
the help of technicians, set up all network requirements with operating
system. Privacy, security set up are also part of this. System analyst, system
designers, system builders check and ensure whether all network/ hardware
set up are as per requirement or not. After completion of this system
development works start.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Construction Phase

• Build and Test Database
Database building is the first step of system development. Programs share
resources from database. In case, there is already previous database system,
a little works may have to be done as per requirement.
System Analyst, with designers and builders involve in the task. Users are
also involved to provide test data for database. They also verify the results
with test data. Database programmers check the developed database
properly. Any lapses here causes serious issue later on. The final output of
this phase is unpopulated database structure . Unpopulated database refers
to database implementation without loading of data.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Construction Phase

• Install and Test New Software Packages (If necessary)
Now, this is the time to install required software packages as per system
design requirements. Copy of software is stored in the software library for
future use.
Software vendors are contacted and price is finalized by system owners.
Vendors technical team may involve to install all the software in the
organizations environment. They also provide support service after
installation . However, system analyst with team members check the
installed software by running it.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Construction Phase

• Write and Test New Programs
Programmers involve in writing program codes. As we discussed in our earlier
classes prototype programs are included in design specifications. These programs
are not fully functional. But, it is taken as reference for coding purpose now.
System analyst explain the business requirements to the programmers. Similarly,
system designers clarify about program design, integration requirement and
program documentation (developed during system design). Building a program is
the team works. Many programmers involve in this job with well coordination of
chief programmer. He takes the responsibility to monitor all activities and
coordinate with system analyst. Assistant chief programmer is also appointed from
the team. In case of any problem with the chief programmer, the assistant comes in
the position.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Construction Phase

Write and Test New Programs
The primary inputs to this activity are the technical design statement , plan for
programming and test data developed during system design. If there is any existing
program in use, programmers check for its reusable portion of it. They may check
all the software and document in the software library for it. The principal
deliverables of the activity are the new programs along with documentation.
Quality experts check the quality of program and document. Once all done, copy of
the program is stored in the central repository.
Testing is done during program writing and after completion of writing also. There
are three levels of testing to be preformed. These are: Sub testing, Unit Testing
and system testing.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Construction Phase

Write and Test New Programs
Sub Testing is performed on individual modules of the program. Unit or
program testing is performed for integrated program of all the modules
which are sub tested. Whereas, system testing is performed for system
functionality.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Implementation Phase

Now, the tested system from construction phase is ready to deliver. It is
installed in all the users and owners computer for real production.
Deliverable of this phase is the operational system that will enter the
operation and support stage of the life cycle.
1. Conduct System Test
Now all the software package, existing old system and newly built system
are installed and tested whether all they work together in real environment.

Acceptance Testing. A group of users are allocated to involve for this. They
operate system with real data and compare the results. System owners
green signals allows the team to step ahead.}
System Construction and Implementation

• The Implementation Phase

2. Prepare Conversion Plan
Given the permission from system owner to bring the System into operation,
system analyst prepares a detailed conversion plan. This plan comprises of
database identification that to be installed, end- user training and training
materials with documentation. Similarly, conversion strategy is also set well.
The conversion plan may include one of the following commonly used
installation strategies.
a. Abrupt Strategy: Date is decided with system owners. The old system is
terminated and new system is installed. This is high risk strategy. There may
exist some problem which may be noticed after long period of time ( may
be one year). Abrupt cut over is necessary in the case government mandatorily
implement some rules that must be followed by the organizations.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Implementation Phase

b. Parallel Conversion: Both, the existing system and newly
developed systems are operated in parallel for sometime. This
minimizes the risk. Final cut over is done on the pre defined date
provided there is no problem identified. Conversion cost is high with
this strategy because of operating two systems.
c. Location Conversion: System is installed in a particular location
of the organization for operation. It is installed in remaining locations
one after another if no problem reported.
d. Staged Conversion: This is similar to one by one module
conversion. Part of the system is installed first. Subsequent modules
are installed one after another in certain gaps and no problem
reported.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Implementation Phase

• Conversion Plan:
• Acceptance Testing
Conversion plan typically includes a system acceptance test . System
Acceptance test is a final test performed by end users real data over an
extended time period. There are three levels of testing in acceptance
testing: verification testing, validation testing and audit testing.
Verification Testing runs the system in a simulated environment using
simulated data. This simulated test is sometimes called alpha testing.
Simulation test is primarily looking for errors and omissions.
Validation Testing runs the system in a live environment using real data.
This is sometimes called beta testing. During this validation a number of
items are tested.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Implementation Phase

• Conversion Plan:
• Acceptance Testing
Performance Testing is performance (response time) testing of the system
during normal work load. If system does not perform well, programmers
may have to work with coding problems. Sometimes such problem is
caused by other reasons like poor performance of network and hardware
infrastructure. It takes lots of time in many cases to fix such problem.
Peak load performance testing: Performance of the system is tested
during peak load hours. If fails, the team troubleshoot with the same
approach described in performance testing.
Human perspective test: Is the system is easy to use for general users ? If
not, some enhancement may be required to make it easy.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Implementation Phase

• Conversion Plan:
• Acceptance Testing
Backup and recovery testing typically check the duration to back up the
data from one media to another media. Besides, data recovery test is
performed to check whether the system is able to recover data in case of
disaster (earthquake, fire, electrical shorts etc). This is the most important
test from the strategic point of view of the organization.
System Construction and Implementation

• The Implementation Phase

• Conversion Plan:
• Audit Testing:
Audit Testing certifies that the system is free of errors and is ready to be
placed into operation. Many organizations do not do audit testing. But,
some do it.
System Construction and Implementation
• The Implementation Phase
3. Install Database
Unpopulated database is converted to populated database by loading
all data from existing system. If there is no existing system, then it is
done manually.
Programmers may have to write a small programs to import data from
existing system. System analyst and designer involve less in this task
but they monitor it. Data entry operators are hired if it has to be done
manually .
System Construction and Implementation
• The Implementation Phase
4. Train Users
Users training is important for smooth operation of system right from thee
day of cut over. Training manuals are prepared by system builders
(programmers). This could be users’ guide with little hints about basic
error fixing.
System Analyst make training schedule with coordination of system
owners. Programmers are informed. Slots and groups are decided. Few
groups are trained by instructors and rest of users are trained by these
trained users. Programmers provide training to the users. Importantly,
instructors (programmers) ask basic questions at the end of the session to
ensure their understanding. Multiple choice questions may be asked. Their
answer sheets are kept as record to analyze the effectiveness of the
training.
System Construction and Implementation
• The Implementation Phase
5. Convert to New System
Now, system is handed over to the system owners. This is the milestone of
the project. Users take responsibility of caring the system by preserving
data, software etc. A formal handover ceremony is organized by project
manger. All the stakeholders (system owners, users, system analyst,
system designers and builders) participate in the ceremony. A little
discussion about the project completion may be there.
System development team formally announce completion of the project by
committing all kinds of support in future.