JPH08202541A - System designing method and system designing support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide support technology for designing a system meeting the needs of a client at low cost in a short time. CONSTITUTION: A relational data base(RDB) 3 is previously stored with plural modules 31 which execute a standard transaction program, the respective modules are represented with a system flow chart (DFD), and a hierarchical matrix table 21 where individual DFDs and transaction themes are structured and module tables 22 and 23 which show functions and the purposes of use are made to correspond. At the time of designing, one standard table matching a system object range is specified among the tables 21-23 and the specified DFD is corrected based on the transaction flow of the client. Then modules or undeveloped modules to be used are specified according to the corrected DFD.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is a client-specific problem such as business strategy and business process improvement (systemization target problem)
The present invention relates to a system design support device used for supporting software development for solving the problem.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional system design techniques for solving business problems are roughly classified into a custom-made type and a package utilization type. According to the former design technique, there is an advantage that the file structure and module configuration can be finished in a form that meets the needs of individual clients, but the development period becomes longer,
System prices also tend to be high.

On the other hand, the latter design technique has the advantage that the system can be constructed at a low price and in a short period of time because it is only necessary to partially change the specifications of the functions of the existing package software, but the work of the client is Since it has to be adapted to the system, it is inconvenient to use and may not be able to satisfy individual needs. Moreover, when packaged software is used as the base, there is no standard mechanism for converting the client's requirements into the specifications of the software. Many steps are required separately.

Further, whether the function requested by the client exists as a function of the package software, where and how it should be changed when necessary.
If the function is insufficient, it is not possible to immediately judge what should be newly added, and therefore it is not possible to estimate the process required for system planning or design.

Further, when the package software is customized according to the request of the client, that is, when the input / output information is changed for each work, the source program of the package software needs to be changed at a high skill level.
There was a problem that I could not understand unless it was E.

[0006]

The object of the present invention is to realize a system that meets the needs of the client by realizing the following functions in order to take advantage of the advantages of the custom-made type and the package type in order to solve the conventional problems. It is to provide support technology for designing in a short time and at low cost.

(1) A function for arranging systematization target problems in a multifaceted and visual expression format to facilitate and speed up the systemization target problems. (2) Whether the details of the requested function of the requester are prepared in advance, and how to deal with the function that needs to be changed or added, the decision materials or process estimation materials are provided to the person in charge. A function to create and output immediately without excessively depending on the skill. (3) A function of automatically changing the database configuration diagram according to the change of input / output information for each work, and further, by reverse engineering, automatically creating difference documents before and after the change from the completed database configuration diagram group.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a plurality of modules for executing standard business processes are prepared, and a module to be developed and a plurality of already developed modules are provided. DFD of the interrelated functions and the functional process development procedure of each module
In addition, when a DFD whose content matches the systemization target problem is specified through the displayed DFD and a part or all of the DFD is corrected, the module corresponding to the corrected DFD is displayed. The contents were changed according to the correction contents, and the changed modules were assembled to construct the required system. In particular, the modules are narrowed down and the narrowed down modules are visually corrected by using the ER (Entity Relationship) concept.

The system design support apparatus of the present invention is
ER display means for holding a plurality of modules for executing a standard business process, and for displaying a mutual related function of the plurality of modules including a module to be developed and a function process development procedure of each module by a DFD,
Corresponding to the DFD specifying means for specifying the DFD of the content that matches the systemization target problem based on the displayed DFD, the DFD correcting means for correcting a part of the input / output information of the specified DFD, and the corrected DFD At least module changing means for changing the content of the module to be modified according to the modification content is provided.

In this configuration, the DFD identifying means includes, for example, a matrix table in which the systemized target problem solving procedure prepared in advance and the corresponding DFD are linked and stored, and the identification name, function, or application of the module and the corresponding Including a module table in which the DFD is linked and stored, and the systemization target problem solving procedure, identification name,
It is assumed that the DFD is specified by using either the function or the use as a search key.

Here, the matrix table means, for example, "ordering" the part numbers of the individual modules that realize standard business processes such as ordering of regular orders, ordering of designated orders, and issuing of order forms. A first matrix table associated with an action process, a second matrix table that manages this "ordering" process together with an "accepting" process under an execution process such as "outsourcing / purchasing", and this "outsourcing" A third matrix table that manages the “purchase” process together with other execution processes under a planning process such as “arrangement”. Also,
The module table is configured by associating the same module with another expression form, for example, by use / function such as “production planning” and “order management”. It is also possible to associate the module list with the module name so that the module can be specified from the already used actual example.

The system design support apparatus of the present invention further includes a DF corresponding to the module when the module is added.
It has a DFD creating means for creating D additionally, and
A work process table in which DFDs corresponding to individual modules including development-scheduled modules and their work costs are linked and stored, and all Ds specified by the DFD specifying means.
The operation cost corresponding to the FD is retrieved from the operation process table to calculate the operation cost required for system design, and the edit processing means edits the operation result in a predetermined format. It is also possible to automatically create a quotation for system design.

Further, a document file for accumulating the content modified by the DFD modifying means or the content modified by the module modifying means as a difference document, and an editing process for editing the difference document accumulated in this document file in a predetermined format. And means for enabling automatic document creation.

The ER display means, DFD specifying means, DFD correcting means, module changing means, DFD creating means, arithmetic processing means, and editing processing means are programmed main control units, that is, central processing units (CPU). ) Is realized.

[0015]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a system design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the system design support device includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a memory 2, a relational database (RDB) 3, a data input device 4, an output device 5, and a display device 6. The CPU 1 realizes various functions including the ER display function of the module stored in the RDB 3 based on the program stored in the memory 2 and required data. This will be described later.

The RDB 3 stores a plurality of modules for executing standard business processes such as production planning, inventory management, order management, process management, or procedures in which these are further detailed. These modules are expressed as a standard DFD that defines the relationship with other modules, and a module DFD in which at least one input file and output file for implementing each functional process development procedure are defined in detail. Further, each input / output file is read from the ER diagram in which the file-related structure is visualized by the ER display function. Therefore, the file in the DFD and the file in the ER diagram are configured with the same information, and when the system is designed using the DFD, the items in the file in the DFD are added, deleted, or modified. Then, the corresponding file in the ER diagram is also added, deleted, or modified accordingly. In other words, if changes such as input / output information items are included in the DFD, file design will be performed at the same time. It should be noted that each module is roughly classified into an inquiry system module that only inquires already stored data or a file structure, an update system module including update processing of data and the like, and other individual modules.

The data input device 4 is a keyboard, a mouse, a CD-ROM, for inputting data to the CPU 1.
The output device 5 is a flexible disk or the like, and the output device 5 is, for example, a printer that prints out the data output from the CPU 1 or a disk device that stores the data. The display device 6 is, for example, a display for displaying the ER diagram and the like.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the functions realized by the CPU 1 and the memory 2. In FIG. 2, D
The FD identification processing unit 11 identifies the standard range of the system, that is, the standard DFD that matches the systemization target problem, and the DFD correction processing unit 12 determines the input / output information (file item) of the identified standard DFD. Or the like) is corrected according to an instruction from the data input device 4. The module changing unit 13 has a modified D
The module 31 corresponding to the FD is changed (updated) according to the correction content. DFD creation processing unit 14
Is a corresponding DF when a module is newly developed.
A D and a detailed DFD are created. Search unit 15
Is for finding out the work costs corresponding to all the DFDs identified by the DFD identification processing unit 11.
6 calculates a required total work cost based on the found work cost. The estimate editing unit 17 edits the calculated total work cost in a predetermined format, and the document editing unit 18 edits the document accumulated in the document file 26 in a predetermined format.

The memory 2 stores a program used by the CPU 1 and required data, as well as a hierarchical matrix table 2
1, module table A22, module table B
23, a difficulty level table 24, a man-hour table 25, a document file 26, and a temporary file 27 are stored.

The hierarchical matrix table 21 and the module tables 22 and 23 are used for narrowing down the modules used by the system to be designed and clarifying the specifications, and the difficulty level table 24 and the man-hour table 25.
Is used to derive the total work cost required to customize the module. Document file 26
Is used to store the changed document when the module is changed. The temporary file 27 is
For example, it is used to temporarily store data and documents when creating an estimate and a document.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a more detailed structure in the memory 2 and the RDB 3, and shows an example in which five modules (# 1 to # 5) 31 are stored in the RDB 3 for convenience. The mutual relation of these modules 31 is represented by a standard DFD in the lower part of the figure, and each of the modules in this standard DFD is developed in the form of the aforementioned module DFD.
In the illustrated module DFD example, the fifth module (#
5) two input items (IN) and two output items (OU)
It is shown that T) is defined. In the standard DFD shown in the figure, the hatched line indicates that the module is already developed in the RDB3, and the broken line indicates that it is a module that is to be developed but does not exist.

In the memory 2, the difficulty level table 24 stores the rank information of the workload in association with the types of the module 31 and the module to be developed in the RDB3. Generally, in the case of the update system module, many files are related and it is difficult to correct the files. Therefore, the ranking in the correction work is also high. On the other hand, since the inquiry system module only inquires the RDB3, it is easy to modify and its ranking is relatively low. Further, the man-hour table 25 stores the required number of days corresponding to each rank information. These tables 24 and 25 are stored in the CPU 1 when the standard DFD is specified.
It is searched by the company at any time and used to calculate the work cost required for system design.

Next, the operation of the system design support apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall operation procedure, and S indicates a processing step. Referring to FIG. 4, first, the system target range is determined (S101), and the DFD identification method is selected (S).
102). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a DFD is specified from a solution procedure of a predetermined systemization target problem, for example, the function of a module is planned (plan), practice (do), inspection (check), action (action). )
It is roughly divided into systems, and each system is planned and managed according to its policy.
The hierarchical matrix table 21 is arranged in four stages of operation (P1 to P4), and these are hierarchically detailed (S104). On the other hand, when the DFD is specified from the function / use and the module identification name described in the example module list, the module table A2 in which the use / function illustrated in FIG. 5 and individual modules are hierarchically associated with each other.
2 (S103), or the module table B23 in which the module list is associated with each module is referred to. Then, the corresponding DFD is searched using the search key selected by the client or the system designer (S1).
06). This searched DFD is a standard DFD that represents a standard business process.

If an estimate is to be made here (S10
7), and shifts to a quotation document creation routine described later (S10)
8). When the quotation is not created or when it is already created, the processing flow of the standard DFD is changed to the content of the DFD for company A as shown in FIG. 6, for example. At that time, if there is a missing module (S109), the module is created and added to the DFD (S110). Further, as shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not there is insufficient input / output information for each module DFD, that is, an input item and an output item (S111). Add to DFD (S11
2). After that, each module DFD is customized as a module DFD for company A (S113). At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the external schema of each module (specific module configuration viewed from the application side) and the entity corresponding to each external schema (actual file configuration viewed from RDB3) are also changed at the same time. Changed by 13, this causes RDB3
The content of is updated. At that time, as shown in FIG.
Since the file in D and the file in the ER diagram are configured with the same information, when the item in the file in the DFD is added, deleted, or modified as described above, the corresponding file in the ER diagram also becomes In accordance with it, it is automatically added, deleted or modified (S114).

The data for the above correction is sequentially accumulated in the document file 26 (S115), and the contents before the correction are stored in the temporary file 27 as the before-change file. When the DFD to be modified remains (S116), the processes after S109 are repeated. When the modification of all DFDs is completed, it is judged whether or not the document is created (S117). Then, the procedure shifts to a document creation routine described later (S118).
When not creating a document, the process ends. In addition,
The above-described determination of creation of the estimate (S107) may be performed after the processing of S116.

FIG. 10 is a detailed procedure diagram of the quote preparation routine in S108. Referring to FIG.
A module corresponding to the DFD is searched for when the quotation creation routine is activated (S201), and it is determined whether the module has been developed, that is, whether it exists in the RDB3 (S202). If the module has been developed, it is determined whether the module is an update system, an inquiry system, or a module of a predetermined specific type (S203). Then, the search unit 15 searches the difficulty level table 24 and the man-hour table 25 based on the determined type or the determination result in S202 (S
204, S205), the calculation processing unit 16 calculates the required cost (S206), and stores it in the temporary file 27 (S207). This is similarly repeated for other modules (S208), and when the processing for all modules is completed, the total cost is calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 16 (S209). After that, the calculation result is edited in a predetermined format and is output from the output device 5 (S21
0) Finish processing.

FIG. 11 is a detailed procedure diagram of the document creation routine in S115. Referring to FIG. 11, the document file 26 is read at the start of the document creation routine (S301), and it is determined whether the contents are different from the contents before the change (S302). This is done by comparison with the above-mentioned file before change stored in the temporary file 27. If there is a change, it is stored in the temporary file 27 (S303), and this is repeated for other documents (S304). When the processing of all the documents is completed, all the documents are read from the temporary file 27 (S30
5) Then, the document editing unit 18 edits the document in a predetermined format, and outputs it from the output device 5 (S306), thus ending the process.

As described above, according to the system design support apparatus of the present embodiment, the hierarchical matrix table is used when the work is coordinated with the client or when the system designer himself narrows down the systemization subject. 21, module table A22, or module table B2
3 allows the requester to visually arrange the required conditions by using words or expressions used in the work, and by referring to the DFD, the required function is R
Whether or not it exists in DB3, if it does exist, what should be changed, and if it does not exist, what to add newly can be immediately understood without excessively depending on the skill of the designer. is there. Further, since the information necessary for cost estimation is associated with each module type in advance, the estimation of the system development cost can be easily created. In addition, the file structure in RDB3 is automatically changed according to the change of input / output item for each module, and the difference document before and after the change is automatically created from the completed RDB3 by reverse engineering. Alternatively, the time required to create the specifications will be shortened.

When constructing a real system, RDB3 is used as it is, or it is specified in RDB3,
Further, another RDB storing a plurality of modules whose contents have been changed is created and used.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the system designing method of the present invention, a required system can be designed in a short period of time and at a low cost simply by changing a part or all of a plurality of modules prepared in advance. Therefore, the advantages of both the conventional custom-made type and the package type can be fully utilized.

Further, according to the system design support apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily and surely select a module to be used according to a pre-structured problem or a function or application required by the client, and further, a correction is made. Since the location to be specified and the module to be added can be immediately known without depending on the skill of the designer, there is an effect that the system design efficiency is significantly improved. In addition, work man-hours and total cost are automatically output by multiple table operations before system design, and when a module is changed, the document is automatically created, so it is necessary to create an estimate, a plan, and a design document. It also has the effect of significantly reducing the amount of work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a system support device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of a system device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a memory structure according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the overall processing procedure in the system support device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for specifying a standard DFD.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view of a standard DFD process flow change process.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a module DFD changing process.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a correspondence relationship between a modified module DFD and a structure in RDB.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of changes to the ER diagram.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure of a quote creation routine.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure of a document creation routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 2 Memory 3 Relational Database (RDB) 4 Data Input Device 5 Output Device 6 Display Device 11 DFD Specific Processing Section 12 DFD Correction Processing Section 13 Module Changing Section 14 DFD Creation Processing Section 15 Search Section 16 Arithmetic Processing Part 17 Quotation Editing Part 18 Document Editing Part 21 Hierarchical Matrix Table 22, 23 Module Table 24 Difficulty Table 25 Process Table 26 Document File 27 Temporary File 31 Module

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A system flow comprising a step of holding a plurality of modules for executing a standard business process, a module to be developed and a function interrelated between the modules already developed and a function process development procedure of each module. When displaying a diagram (hereinafter, abbreviated as DFD), and when a DFD having contents that match the systemization target problem is specified through the displayed DFD and a part or all of the DFD is corrected And a step of changing the content of the module corresponding to the modified DFD according to the content of the modification, and constructing a required system by assembling the modified modules. 2. A plurality of modules for executing a standard business process are held, and a DFD indicates a function to be developed between a module to be developed and a plurality of modules already developed and a functional process development procedure of each module. ER display means for displaying, DFD specifying means for specifying a DFD having contents that match the systemization target problem based on the displayed DFD, DFD correcting means for correcting a part or all of the specified DFD, and correction And a module changing unit that changes the content of the module corresponding to the created DFD in accordance with the content of the modification. 3. The system design support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the DFD specifying unit identifies a matrix table in which a systemized target problem solving procedure prepared in advance and a corresponding DFD are linked and stored, and the module. A module table in which a name, a function, or an application and a corresponding DFD are linked and stored is included, and the corresponding DFD is specified by using any one of the systemization target problem solving procedure, identification name, function, and application as a search key. A system design support device characterized by being configured. 4. The system design support apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising DFD creating means for additionally creating a corresponding DFD when the module is added. 5. The system design support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a DFD corresponding to each module including a development-scheduled module and a work cost table linked and stored, and the DFD specifying means. A search means for finding out work costs corresponding to all the DFDs identified by the above from the work process table, an operation processing means for calculating a required total work cost based on the found work costs, and an operation processing result. A system design support apparatus comprising: a first edit processing unit that edits in a predetermined format. 6. The system design support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the content modified by the DFD modification means or the content modified by the module modification means is accumulated as a difference document, and a document file is accumulated in this document file. And a second edit processing means for extracting the difference document and editing it in a predetermined format.