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Unit Title: IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH DESIGN
Unit Title: IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH DESIGN
Global Context: Globalization and Sustainability.
Key Concept: Relationships.
Related Concepts: Function, Collaboration.Â
Statement of Inquiry: Functional relationships are essential for sustainability.
Criterion A: INQUIRING and Analyzing
Criterion A: INQUIRING and Analyzing
Here you are presented with a design situation, from which you identify a problem that needs to be solved. You will then analyze the need for a solution and conduct an inquiry into the nature of the problem.Â
Challenge
Challenge
A database can be defined as an organized collection of related data. Database is a revolutionary technology because it assists many organizations to be able to store, manipulate and present their data. And because the world we live in currently, big data has become a major area of focus, then the need and the use of database cannot be overstated.Â
Your TASK then for this unit is to identify a client/a target audience that is in dire need of a database to improve productivity and has approached you to design and create a database for them . Your must explain and justify your client’s need for a database in detail with supporting arguments in form of citations obtained from secondary and primary research.
You shall follow the Design Cycle to complete the process of creation of a database for your client using Microsoft Access. The database created (in your Criterion C) MUST have at least two tables, have relation between the tables, generate queries, forms, and reports.
Strand 1: Explain and justify the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client/target audience: (1 Page).
Strand 1: Explain and justify the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client/target audience: (1 Page).
Begin the task with an introduction by highlighting the Global Context, Key Concept and relating it to the Unit Title.
You should explicitly state the client or the target audience and mention some brief background information about the client/target audience.
Explain the problem facing the client/target audience; discuss the problem in detail, the effects of the problem (on the client/target audience), how long (the problem) has persisted, and explain/demonstrate how the client is in a dire need for a solution. Make sure to give examples of challenges arising from the problem. -(the best way to explain the effects of a problem is by giving examples and quoting relevant statistics to support your assertions regarding the problem where possible).
Make sure you have explained in detail the reasons why the problem should be addressed while quoting relevant statistics or facts to support your argument.
To properly explain the client's/target audience problem/need, make sure you have captured the following questions in your description of the problem ( What is the nature (type/features) of the problem?, Who is it a problem for?, Where is the problem occurring?, What is the cause of the problem?, What effect is the problem having on the client/target audience?).
Explain/justify why an IT solution (database) is better placed to solve/address the problem (by discussing the current way the client/target audience uses to solve or address the same problem and weaknesses/failures/limitations of the current way of addressing the problem ).
Highlight the benefits the client will obtain if the above problem is solved (N/B You can also address this, in the design brief if the 1 page limit for strand 1 is not enough to do so).
Make sure to provide in text citation for your client/target audience and any other source consulted here.
Click on the button/link below for more guidance (resources, examples and information) on the same.
Strand 2: Identify and prioritize primary and secondary research needed to develop a solution to the problem: (1 Page).
Strand 2: Identify and prioritize primary and secondary research needed to develop a solution to the problem: (1 Page).
Construct a detailed research plan which identifies and prioritizes the primary and secondary research/resources needed to develop the solution to the problem. Show the what you need to research, how you will gather the info;(primary/secondary) and when the task will be completed (research question). Your research question should focus on the problem in question (client's or Target's audience problem) and the IT solutions that could address the problem.
Independently generate at least 10 detailed SMART and appropriate research questions, which are clearly prioritized ( Must be in a logical order) and identified as the specific type of primary (whether interview, questionnaire, observation etc.) and secondary sources (such as books, websites, surveys etc.) , to help develop the solution focused on client, time, resources, function, technical skills, aesthetics and others.
Follow the research plan to collect your detailed information from primary/secondary sources.
Click on the link below to see the template of a research plan.
Click on the button/link below for more guidance on how to do a research plan.
Strand 3: Analyze a range of existing products that inspire a solution to the problem: (2-4 pages).
Strand 3: Analyze a range of existing products that inspire a solution to the problem: (2-4 pages).
In this section you:
Analyze at least four similar existing products (databases) that have been created to solve/address similar problem as yours. Analyze these existing products by explaining their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvements and Threats (SWOT Analysis).
Describe the inspirations obtained from the analysis of each or all of the products analyzed using SWOT analysis and its usefullness to the product you intend to create to address the client's/target audience problem.
Then analyze at least two software that can be used to create the IT solution (database) for example Microsoft Access, My SQL and others. Do this analysis by stating the strengths and weaknesses of the two different software used to create a database.
State the software that you have chosen to use to create the IT solution (database) from the software you have analyzed and justify why you chose that particular software.
Make sure to provide in text citations in APA format for the each of the existing products and each of the software analyzed.
Click on the link/button below for an example and further resources/guidance on the same.
Strand 4: Develop a detailed design brief, which summarizes the analysis of relevant research: (2 Pages).
Strand 4: Develop a detailed design brief, which summarizes the analysis of relevant research: (2 Pages).
In this section you are expected to come up with a design brief that summarizes the analysis of your research and then links it to the client/target audience problem/need.
Start the design brief by summarizing in a brief your client's/target audience problem and the justification; the reason why your client or target audience problem should be addressed.
Then summarize the findings obtained from your primary and secondary research (strand 2 and strand 3), only include only the information obtained from your research that is relevant towards addressing your client's /target audience problem and describe how the information obtained is beneficial towards addressing your client's/target audience problem).
Summarize the findings from Strand 2: Research plan in a prose/paragraph format mentioning only relevant information that relates to the client's or target audience problem. (Hint: Summarize the answers to your research questions in a prose/paragraph form and describe how the information obtained is beneficial towards addressing your client's/target audience problem).
State the product (database) that you shall create to address your client's/target audience problem.
Summarize what you learned from SWOT analysis done that will be helpful to you towards the creation of the chosen solution.
Conclude the design brief by:-
Explaining in a separate paragraph in detail the key features of the product (IT solution) that you will create to solve the client's/ target audience problem and
explain how those key features of the product you intend to create shall help solve/address the client's /target audience problem.
Click on the button/links below for more guidance (resources, examples and information) on the same.
Bibliography and Citations
Bibliography and Citations
Your work must have bibliography and in text citations. Failure to do so will earn you less marks and it might be considered as academic dishonesty because you have done quite a lot of research.
Put bibliography/references such as interviews, websites and others that you consulted for your work at the end (on its own page). Use APA citation style for your bibliography/references.
The references/sources must be placed on its own page in an alphabetical order.
Any work that is submitted without accompanying bibliography/reference and in text citations will be penalized much. The student who submits such work without any bibliography or reference section cannot get more than 6 regardless of the quality of work done.
Appendices
Appendices
Your work must have appendices after bibliography. Appendices can include copies or screenshots of the questionnaires/interview questions and responses or documents that you used to conduct your research/inquiry into the problem.
N/B: These documents act as an evidence that you really did the research and will guard you against an examiner awarding lower marks/grades for your work.
Click on the link below to see an example of Appendices for Criterion A.
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