Designing An Online Dating Service Information Technology Essay

Designing An Online Dating Service Information Technology EssayValentinos has been a very successful date swear out since 1976 as it provides a round the clock assistance to their clients. The company exactlyows the client to request as many introductions as they can and also facilitate the modification of the selective reading as many terms as the constituent wants to free of charge. The agency is very popular because it non only provides better guest cargon but also effective unified with largest number of members.Weakness period consuming in terms of matching from databaseLack of investment in engineeringNo provision of online matching as the website is information onlyThe technology used for maintaining the database and language used for write the code are very oldThe placement is poorly documentedValentinos is losing its profitability as the assistants it provides are old fashi unmatchedd and consume a lot of time. The process of match making is make offline whic h delays the service. The technology used in the system is also a decade older which the advanced module muster ups difficult to use and maintain.OpportunitiesMake use of new and improved technologyProvide online matching of matched clientsBring innovation to their marketing strategy by advertising onlineIncluding winks, flirts and various emotions along with messagesValentinos can make best use of the recent advancements in the technology so that they can attract much(prenominal) clients and pay heed the existing clients in a better way. They can advertise on the internet on different websites along with newspapers and public transports due to the increase utilisation of internet over the past few socio-economic classs.ThreatsDifferent agencies providing better and modern interactive interfacesSome agencies providing registration free of existChanging government laws on accessing personal informationDue to the competition from various new dating agencies which provide mo re and more interactive services using of the new technologies at hand, Valentinos is losing its market share. Changes made in the government policies in the past decade also contribute to the loss in the profitability of the organization.BALANCED BUSINESS circuit bugFinancialObjectives Measures TargetsIncrease the receipts from rank and fileApplication processed per dayIncrease the application processed per day by 15% in conterminous 1 year visit advertisement greetMore online advertisementsReduce the advertisement cost by 20% within next 6 monthsReduce manpower costNumber of queries bring offd per employeeReduce the cost of manpower by 5% in next one yearCustomerObjectives Measures TargetsIncrease resolution timeTime taken to process an applicationResponse time should be within 24 minutesDecrease registration feecost formembershipRegistration fee should be reduced to 125 poundsMore matches per dispositionList of compatible membersCompatibility list should guard 10 perso n/ list interior(a)Objectives Measures TargetsIncrease manpower utilizationNo. of applications processed/ employeeIncrease the No. of applications processed/ employee by 10%Speed up the process of displaying members detailsTime taken to display members informationMembers information should be displayed within 24Provision of online matchingNo. of matches per applicationIncrease no. of matches per application by 15%InnovationObjectives Measures TargetsMarket surveyTo make use of the new technology at a faster paceQuarterly progress synergistic environment of the website routine of more winks and emotions with better look and feel of websiteInclude new features in the website within 2 monthsVISION STATEMENTFor all the volume in U.K. who are single and in search for their special someone, Valentinos- the personal introductions agency is an online matchmaking agency that go out help them to watch over the companion they are facial expression for. The agency allows the substance abuse rs to create a profile on its website to search for their suitable partners without the expect to display much of their personal information. The information held is fully confidential, secure and support by trained personnel of the company 24*7. The system will increase the revenue of the agency by 20% in the offset printing year of its use. Unlike the current offline matching system our new system will provide the customers with the option of online dating allowing them to find their partners in no time. The customers will be able to interact with their partners effectively and a lot of time will be saved in finding the right match.Scope Diagram stand by DeskAdministratorClientWebsiteMaintains Member profilesOutput ResultQueryDatabaseRegistersCompatible ProfilesCustomer AssistanceValentinosMembershipMatchmakingOut of scopeMarketing TechniquesAdvancement in technology usedMarket survey tollsCost of culture of online matchmaking system The cost that will be involved in creating the software for matching profiles online.Cost of software updation As the software is very old it conducts to be updated so it covers the cost involved in any updation of the website.Hardware installation cost This include the cost of setting up of new servers to handle the increased traffic of member and also of the new systems to be set up having advanced technologies.Staff genteelness cost It covers the cost involved in arranging seminars and sessions for the employees to train them so that they can provide efficient service.Software maintenance The cost involved in maintain the software i.e. various updates needed and instalment of new versions of it.Cost of customer Assistance It covers the cost of providing assistance to the clients i.e. setting up of various telephone lines and hiring new people to provide assistance.BenefitsIncreased revenue from membership fee in that location will be an increase in revenue as with new services there will be increase in beseech for the membership of the agency.Better throughput The profiles of the clients will be made ready(prenominal) in less time thus the process of adding members will increase.Increased customer satisfaction As the services provided will be faster and more proficient the customers will be satisfied to a greater extent.Fast profile matching With online profile matching the compatible list can be generated in very less amount of time thus speeding up the process of dating.Fewer Complaints With the matches been made operational in less time there would be fewer problems in related to the delivery of matches and hence the complaints from the clients will also decrease.Increased reliability The dating system will be more reliable as the matches are made online which will result in the decrease in human errors and the success of delivery of results will increase. operational requirementsMembershipCreating user profilesManaging user profilesRegistration precedence MediumProfile matching 2.1 Search the members database2.2 Match the compatible profiles2.3 Display the matching profilesPriority exaltedManaging Staff3.1 Employees responsible for the emergence3.2 Employees maintaining database3.3 Customer assistance staffPriority MediumCustomer support4.1 Helping with the membership form4.2 Providing counselling4.3 sense of hearing to and providing solutions to customer complaintsPriority gameyOnline dating5.1 Provide online compatibility matching5.2 Speed datingPriority HighPayments6.1 Make allowances for the membership and new introductions6.2 Record payments6.3 produce statements of the payments made6.4 Accept membership feePriority HighEditing user profiles7.1 Modification to user records by the user any number of measure7.2 Deletion of personal profilePriority LowMaintaining database8.1 Creating a database containing user information8.2 Updating the database8.3 Deleting the profiles from the database who do not want to be a member anymorePriority MediumAdvert isement9.1 Increase in online advertisements9.2 Better graphical advertisementsPriority LowNon-functional requirementsSoftware Quality AttributesAvailability-1 The system should be available to the users any time of the day so that they can use itaccording to their ease.Reliability-1 The capacity of the system should also be planned so that it can handle any amount ofuser traffic anytime and should not slow down when lot of users are accessing theservice at the same time.Performance RequirementsPE-1 Response time for answering the general query of the user should not be more than 10seconds.PE-2 At least 10 matches should be displayed while providing the matching list to the user.PE-3 The members profiles should be made available on the website in no more than one day.PE-4 The compatibility list should be handed over to the member within a day.Security RequirementSE-1 The transactions made online through credit cards should be totally secure so that no thefttakes place.SE-2 Members s hould be asked for checkout username and password so that only authorizedusers can access the service.SE-3 Ensure that only authorized users can modify the account details and personal informationof their own profiles.Legislative RequirementsLE-1 The system should comply with rules and regulations of the Data Protection Act.LE-2 Personal information provided by the users should be kept confidential i.e. should not be dual-lane with any different entity without the prior permission of the person.Product RequirementsPR-1 The software used for providing the service should be easy to upgrade.PR-2 The system should be able to work with all the standard applications.PR-3 The maintaining of the database should not be outsourced to a third party. Employeesshould be hired to maintain it within the organization.Detailed description of functional requirementsSource PlanningPriority HighOwner Planning ManagerRequirement Id 4.0 functional requirement Customer SupportTo be able to provide couns elling to all the users who need one and answer to the complaints of members.Non-functional requirement(s)DescriptionTarget ValueAcceptable RangeCommentsResponse time1 day5 daysAnalysing the complaint and facial expression for solutionService hours24 hours a dayBenefitsWill enable the agency to improvise the services they offer by finding solutions to the customer complaints.Comments/suggested solutionsThe user can also provide feedback.Related DocumentsRelated requirementsResolutionSource PlanningPriority HighOwner Planning ManagerRequirement Id 5.0Functional requirement Online DatingTo be able to match the compatible profiles online and displaying the results to the user.Non-functional requirement(s)DescriptionTarget ValueAcceptable RangeCommentsResponse time1 hour2-3 hoursSearching the large databaseBenefitsWill enable the user to find his/her compatible profiles list in a very quick time.Comments/suggested solutionsInstant display of compatible profiles.Related DocumentsRelated requirements2.0 Profile MatchingResolution(Goodland, 2010)Use Case Model For Valentinos (created using StarUML)Detailed description of a single Use CaseUse Case 6.1Make PaymentGoal in ContextNew user deposits the registration fee to use the services of the agency and existing user deposits the charge for getting new introductionsScope LevelOnline Dating System, User goalPreconditionSystem available, pay music director availableSuccess blockade ConditionPayment made successfully, Registration fee paid, receipt of the payment handed to userFailed End ConditionPayment not successful, receipt not acceptedPrimary, Secondary ActorsClient,Finance Manager,Credit Card Company,BankTriggerRequest for IntroductionsDescriptionStepAction1Client is asked to make the payment to get the introductions.2Client enters his/her account details3Makes the infallible payment4Finance Manager records the payment made5Finance Manager generates a receipt6Client prints the receiptExtensionsStep branching Ac tion1aIf the client is the first time customer1a1. Asked to register first1a2. Deposits the membership fee also2aIf the client enters the wrong password2a1. Give him few more chances to enter the rightone2a2. Allow the client to motley the password if hedoes not get it right.4aIf the client is using the system for the first time4a1. Create a new account for him.VariationsStepBranching Action3Client may pay throughCredit card,Demand draft,Pay palRelated informationMake PaymentsPriorityHighPerformance5 minutes for the payment, 1 minute to handover the receiptFrequency500/dayChannels to actorsOnlineOpen issuesDue Dateany other management informationIncluded inInclusions(Goodland, 2010)Assumptions made while modelling use case diagramClient can also provide a feedback in the form of complaints if he is dissatisfied with the services or the agency or if he wants to recommend any changes to the service.Administrator will maintain the information supplied by the client. He will also maint ain the archives of every client i.e. the introductions offered to the client. Administrator will hold the details of all the employees of the company.Customer service providers will not only provide solutions to the queries of the clients but also will be responsible for handling the complaints if any made by the client.Finance manager will be responsible for recording all the payments made by the clients so that the information can be used by the credit card company. He will also be required to produce statements of all the payments made by the client.Developer will have to run the match list to find compatible profiles and also manage the user traffic on the companys website.Areas Requiring Further DefinitionThe use case Make Payments can get on be grow by including the different ways by which user can pay i.e. the user can either pay by credit card, a demand draft or even through services such as pay pal.The use case view online matches can be viewed in upgrade detail by add ing various features of online dating like chatting, winking, emotions etc.Rich Picture for ValentinosReduced cost of offline matchingWhy cannot i have more than 6 matchesProvide faster matches earn more moneyWill it be secure from hackers?This system will help us compete with new agenciesNow I can see matches instantlyAdministratorOnline matchmaking serviceManagerMore work and new technologyMaintain client records and their historyManage the traffic and run the match list for usersDesign the new system with latest technologyMake the site more interactive little queries about delivery successDecrease in number of complaintsDeveloperCustomer AssistanceCUsersDeepankerAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet FilesContent.IE5P2TU6YUZMC9000555611.wmfCUsersDeepankerAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet FilesContent.IE5XUXPG77LMC9003325281.wmfwow a faster and a convenient dating serviceClientCUsersDeepankerAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet FilesContent.IE5XUXPG7 7LMC9004107971.wmfPoliceIs the company following the Data Protection Law CUsersDeepankerAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet FilesContent.IE56NVVFFGMC9001500051.wmfCUsersDeepankerAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet FilesContent.IE5P2TU6YUZMM9003652631.gif hack writerMore chances of getting caughtSolve the problems of customersVarious StakeholdersPrimary stakeholders Client, Shareholders, DeveloperSecondary Stakeholders Administrator, Finance manager, Customer assistance staff, HackersKey Stakeholders Client, ShareholdersStakeholders AttitudesClients that are already using the dating service might not be comfortable with the new system at first. But as they get used to it they will find the new features of the system easy and better to use.The Shareholders at first might fear that the investment for the new system will not be worth the money and the effort. They have to be convinced that it is for the better as the services provided will be enhanced with great er customer satisfaction resulting to increased revenue.The employees may also find it hard to operate the new system as they are used to working with the older one for many years. There should be proper training provided to all the employees on the new system so that they can handle the new system efficiently.The using team up may also find it a cumbersome job to create a new system and integrating it with the existing one.There will be an increased amount of work for the customer assistance department in the beginning when the new system is implemented. The lines might be flooded with assistance so they may demand an increase in pay or else new employees have to be recruited.Change ManagementThe ontogeny team might not be very proficient or they may be wasting a lot of time in developing the new system. The project may be delayed and wasting a lot of money of the company. The senior managers might have to provide a warning of execution to the present team. If the development pr ocess still does not takes the required pace new development team has to be hired.During the developmental stage there might be a change in technology in demand which is cheaper and provides better functionality. Developers will be interested in that but the investors who have already invested in the existing technology will be reluctant. both(prenominal) the teams have to agree on one common solution for the project to continue. If the new investment in the technology yields a profit on the have total investment then the management gives a go ahead for investment in the new technology.Possible Developmental ApproachesScenario 1 Development by an external contractor who will specify the system andhave it programmed by their sister companySelect user story for release Suitable development approach would be total Programming (XP). XP is chosen as it is an agile development technique which helps in developing a more effective product. A the programming is outsourced to the sister co mpany it will be convenient for the contractor to follow this approach as the development can be through with(p) with only one customer n only 3 weeks of time. The process of development involves informal story narration of requirements between a customer and developer which can be easily understood. The programming is done by the programmers in pair. There is daily interaction with the customer so if he feels that the system has reached the desired level further work may be prevented. (Source Cockburn A., 2008)Stories broken down into tasksRelease planningDevelop/ test softwareSoftware releaseSystem evaluationExtreme Programming Release Cycle (Sommerville, 2007)AdvantagesCost saving in development as the development team consists of 3-10 members only.Development can be done with one customer also in a single room.The process of development is done in interactions over a period of 3 weeks.Each loop provides the code that is tested and running.The customers as well as the programme rs can reprioritize the tasks over time.Pair programming is followed.The delay of finding the solution is less.Rapid feedback.The design is simple.(Cockburn, 2008)DisadvantagesThe requirements are not documented.To proceed with development discussion is needed between developer and customer after every iteration.Optimization of code is left for the end.No overtime.(Goodland, 2010)Risks InvolvedThere might arise a conflict between the two programmers and they may not be able to reach to a common conclusion. Hence the development can be delayed or even not be able to proceed. In such a case a new team has to set up and the work has to be done all over again.If there is a sudden change in the development team, new employees will find it hard to understand the progress of the work as the requirements are not documented anywhere.(Cockburn, 2008)Scenario 2 Purchase of rival agency and customisation of their softwareThe development lifecycle suitable for such a scenario will be Incremental Model because the software is already present with the rival agency. The development team of Valentinos only need to structure some components and provide extra functionality to it according to their ease. It is an iterative model for the waterfall lifecycle approach i.e. each iteration follows the waterfall model and the iterations are done till the desired functionality of the end product is reached.(Ruparelia, 2010)Design system architectureAssign step-ups to requirementsDefine requirementsFinal systemValidate systemIntegrate incrementValidate incrementDevelop system incrementSystem IncompleteIncremental Model Cycle (Goodland, 2010)AdvantagesThe functionality of the software is made available quickly and in the early stages.Previous iterations provide feedback to the new ones.While the iterations are smaller testing and debussing is an easier job.Stakeholders view can also be incorporated throughout the development cycle.Risk of failure of the project is very low.Potential issu es with the development can be found out easily and can be resolved.(Ruparelia, 2010)DisadvantagesThe individual iterations done are not flexible and they do not overlap with one another.All the requirements for the system life cycle are not clearly shut in out during the initial iterations which may lead to problems.(Source http//qastation.wordpress.com/2008/04/27/software-development-life-cycle-part-5/ )