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268 PART THREE CONVENTIONAL METHODS FOR SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

10.7. A system engineer can come from one of three sources: the system developer,
the customer, or some outside organization. Discuss the pros and cons that apply to
each source. Describe an "ideal" system engineer.

10.8. Your instructor will distribute a high-level description of a computer-based
system or product:
a. Develop a set of questions that you should ask as a system engineer.
b. Propose at least two different allocations for the system based on answers to
your questions.
c. In class, compare your allocation to those of fellow students.

10.9. Develop a checklist for attributes to be considered when the "feasibility" of a
system or product is to be evaluated. Discuss the interplay among attributes and
attempt to provide a method for grading each so that a quantitative "feasibility num-
ber" may be developed.
10.10. Research the accounting techniques that are used for a detailed cost/bene-
fit analysis of a computer-based system that will require some hardware manufac-
turing and assembly. Attempt to write a "cookbook" set of guidelines that a technical
manager could apply.
10.11. Develop a system context diagram and system flow diagrams for the computer-
based system of your choice (or one assigned by your instructor).

10.12. Write a system module narrative that would be contained in system diagram
specifications for one or more of the subsystems defined in the SFDs developed for
Problem 10.11.
10.13. Research the literature on CASE tools and write a brief paper describing how
modeling and simulation tools work. Alternate: Collect literature from two or more
CASE vendors that sell modeling and simulation tools and assess the similarities and
differences.
10.14. Based on documents provided by your instructor, develop an abbreviated
System Specification for one of the following computer-based systems:
a. a nonlinear, digital video-editing system
b. a digital scanner for a personal computer
c. an electronic mail system
d. a university registration system
e. an Internet access provider
f. an interactive hotel reservation system
g. a system of local interest
Be sure to create the system models described in Section 10.6.