Software Requirements Engineering

S. ZarAfshan Goher

Week 4

The Five Steps in Problem Analysis

Problem Analysis
The process of understanding real-world problems and user needs and proposing
solutions to meet those needs.

In doing so, the problem domain must be analyzed and understood, and a variety of
solution domains must be explored. Usually, a variety of solutions are possible, and our
job is to find the solution that is the optimum fit for the problem being solved.

The goal of Problem Analysis

As with any complex problem-solving exercise, we must start with the goal in mind.
The goal of problem analysis is to gain a better understanding, before development
begins, of the problem being solved.

The specific steps that must be taken to achieve the goal are

1. Gain agreement on the problem definition.

2. Understand the root causes—the problem behind the problem.
3. Identify the stakeholders and theusers.
4. Define the solution systemboundary.
5. Identify the constraints to be imposed on the solution.

Let's work through each of these steps and see if we can develop the team skills
that we need to move on to solution providing!

Step 1: Gain Agreement on the Problem Definition

The first step is to gain agreement on the definition of the problem to be solved. One
of the simplest ways to gain this agreement is to simply write the problem down and
see whether everyone agrees.
 Software Requirements Engineering

S. ZarAfshan Goher

As part of this process, it is often beneficial to understand some of the benefits of a

proposed solution, being careful to make certain that the benefits are described in the
terms provided by the customers/users. You may find it helpful to write your problem
down in a standardized format (Table 4-1). Filling the table in for your application is
a simple yet powerful technique to ensure that all stakeholders on your project are
working toward the same goal.

Table 4-1. Problem statement format

Element Description
The problem of Describe the problem.
Affects Identify stakeholders affected by the problem.
the result of which Describe the impact of this problem on stakeholders and business
activity.
Benefits of Indicate the proposed solution and list a few key benefits.

SAMPLE PROBLEM STATEMENT FORMAT

Table 4-2. Sales order problem statement

Elements Description
The problem of Inaccuracies in sales orders

Affects Sales order personnel, customers, manufacturing and shipping

departments.
The result of Excessive handling costs, customer dis-satisfaction, and
which decreased profitability.

Benefits of Perform unit testing of Sales class/modules to fix errors. Increased

accuracy of sales orders at point of entry will lead to increased profit.
 Software Requirements Engineering

S. ZarAfshan Goher

Step 2: Understand the Root Causes—The Problem Behind the Problem

Your team can use a variety of techniques to gain an understanding of the real
problem and its real causes. One such technique is "root cause" analysis, which is a
systematic way of uncovering the root, or underlying, cause of an identified problem
or a symptom of a problem.

Fishbone diagram/ cause and effect diagram for root cause analysis:

 The fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram is a cause-and-effect diagram that helps

managers to track down the reasons for imperfections, variations, defects, or
failures.

Basic Layout:

Figure 4-1 Fishbone diagram of root causes

 The diagram looks just like a fish’s skeleton with the problem at its head and the
causes for the problem feeding into the spine. You should use category labels that
make sense for the diagram you are creating. Here are some commonly used
categories:
 3Ms and P - methods, materials, machinery, and people
 Environment - a potentially significant another category to be added.
 Software Requirements Engineering

S. ZarAfshan Goher

Figure 4-1 Fishbone diagram of root causes

Another Example:

Figure 4-1 Fishbone diagram of root causes

 Software Requirements Engineering

S. ZarAfshan Goher

Assignment 3

Draw a fishbone diagram in the given format for the following problem statement.
“Poor academic performance of the student during COVID“

Note: Visit LMS to find assignment details and to upload it.