Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The case study chosen for this chapter contains some intentional simplicity. One
reason for this simplicity is ease of demonstration and discussion. Another reason
for this simplicity is to set the stage for Chapter 14 that will show how more complex
testing situations can be attacked successfully by decomposing the complex situ-
ation into the simpler, more familiar situations from this chapter. The case study
development activities follow the phased development methodology. Testing at each
stage is conducted using the SPRAE methodology. You will fi nd all of the case study
artifacts discussed in this chapter stored on the textbook publisher's Web site as Case
Study B: The DriveSafeAmerica (DSA) System.
13.1.1 Ca se Study Background
The software development project chosen for Case Study B is a real software
development project in which one of the authors was a primary participant. The
company name, staff, and location have been changed to honor the company's
confi dentiality.
Introductions are the fi rst order of business. DSA is a U.S. company in Denver
authorized by the State of Colorado to provide automobile driver training. The scope
of the driver training includes unlicensed driving students and licensed drivers who
are taking refresher training in lieu of paying traffi c ticket fi nes for moving violations.
DSA sells classroom driver training that provides the successful student with a
completion certifi cate that satisfi es the State of Colorado requirement for classroom
instructions prior to behind-the-wheel testing. The same completion certifi cate also
satisfi es the Colorado traffi c court obligation for refresher training in lieu of paying
certain traffi c ticket fi nes.
DSA is experiencing healthy business growth. From a modest start of 2,000
certifi cates issued the fi rst year of business to last year's 32,144 certifi cates, DSA
has written over 62,000 certifi cates. The DSA business is doubling each year. If this
trend continues, DSA can expect to write over 64,000 certifi cates next year.
13.2 PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION STAGE
Tom Thompson, the DSA President, is worried. His company is preparing and tracking
all DSA completion certifi cates manually. The completion certifi cates are fi lled in
from class rosters using a typewriter. A carbon copy of the completion certifi cates are
fi led away in cabinet drawers in the DSA home offi ce. When the company started,
one clerk could easily manage the 2,000 certifi cate production and archiving. As
the annual workload grew, Tom added more clerks, more typewriters, and more fi le
cabinets. He sees this year as a break point for the manual process. Not only does the
forecast workload increase call for a substantial increase in certifi cate preparation
staff but also for a substantial increase in certifi cate archive staff. The certifi cate
preparation staff increase can be offset by the expected proportional increased
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