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Software Needs Assessment Assignment
ISOL 536- Security Architecture and Design
Dr. Charles DeSassure, Adjunct Professor
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Table of Contents
Introduction/Background 3
Software Benefits 4
Software Challenges 5
Software Recommendations 6
Screen Captures 7
Introduction/Background
Name of Software |
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Purpose of Software |
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Software Audience |
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Hardware required to use the software |
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Software operating system (e.g. Windows) |
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Software cost |
Software Benefits
What are the benefits of using the software? Explain. |
Software Challenges
What are the challenges of using the software? Explain. |
Software Recommendations for Improvement (Two is required)
(1) Recommend software features to the software that you feel would help enhance the current software if you were part of the software development team. (Think outside of the box).
Type your answer here
(
2
) Recommend software features to the software that you feel would help enhance the current software if you were part of the software development team. (Think outside of the box).
Type your answer here
Screen Capture to Support Assignment (Three-screen captures are required)
(1) Make a screen capture of the software screen.
Insert screen capture here
(2) Make a screen capture of the software screen.
Insert screen capture here
(3) Make a screen capture of the software screen.
Insert screen capture here
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Lab: Needs Assessment: Read this information first.
Overview
In this course, we have addressed many topics relating to threat modeling. It is now time to close the
loop by completing a Software Evaluation. In other words, you will complete a needs assessment on a
software. What is a Needs Assessment?
What Is a Needs Assessment?
A needs assessment is a process used by organizations to determine priorities, make organizational
improvements, or allocate resources. It involves determining the needs, or gaps, between where the
organization envisions itself in the future and the organization’s current state. You then develop a plan
of action to address the needs (or closing the gaps) to bring the organization closer to its desired future
state.
Steps: Let’s take a quick look at general steps taken in a needs assessment.
Exploration and identification: During the first phase of the needs assessment, you need to determine
what you already know about your organization’s needs, whether it be additional resources, new
technologies, or market expansion. It’s about figuring out where you are and where you want to be. You
also need to discover other undisclosed needs that may be hindering you from moving from where you
are to where you want to be. You will often rank these needs in order of importance. You will then set
the scope of your research. In other words, the needs you are going to focus on.
Data gathering and analysis: At this stage you are collecting the information you need to better
understand the gaps (needs) between where you are and where you want to be. Data may be collected
from internal company records or externally through market research techniques such as surveys and
analysis of secondary data, including statistical data collected by the federal government. After the data
is collected, it is organized and analyzed.
Utilization: This is where the data you analyzed is used to create a plan of action and implement it. You
will set priorities, evaluate solutions, apply a cost-benefit analysis to determine which solution is best in
light of the relative costs and benefits of each, formulate a plan to implement your solution, and then
allocate the resources necessary for implementation. Again, the goal is to develop a plan to close the
gaps between the organization’s desired future state and its current state.
Evaluation: While many organizations will not evaluate the results of their needs assessment, smart
organizations do. You will evaluate the results of the action plan against the results: has the action plan
placed you closer to where you want to be? Evaluation can help you determine what made an action
plan successful or find the errors in your needs assessment. For example, did you miss an important gap,
or were the resources you allocated insufficient to close the gap?
Example
Let’s look at an example. Imagine that you are the president of an auto manufacturing company. You
want to increase your company’s market share over the next five years. Unfortunately, the latest
marketing data shows that your company actually suffered a slight decrease in market share last
quarter. It’s time to perform a needs assessment, so you gather your brain trust.
You and your team start with the exploration and identification process. You already know where you
want to go and where you are – your market share has decreased and you need to increase it. You focus
on identifying the gaps preventing you from achieving your goals. You note that your product line is
stale since you haven’t rolled out a new model of car in over six years. You also note that your
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competitors have rolled out new cars. In fact, the recent drop in your sales coincides with the roll out of
a new model from your major competitor that competes with your flagship car. You decide to have your
marketing department perform market research to determine the best target market for the production
of a new model that gives you the best chance of increasing your market share. This same example can
apply to the area of software architecture & design.
ISOL 536- Security Architecture and Design
Dr. Charles DeSassure, Adjunct Professor
What: Needs Assessment Assignment Instructions
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Needs Assessment assignment is to provide you
hands-on experience on how to complete a Needs Assessment for
software.
WHAT TO DO?
Your task is to select a software that interests you and conduct a needs
assessment using the software. Please note that you MUST have access
to the software. Therefore, choose software that you use in your
workplace or have access to from your computer system. If you have
questions, please email me: charles.desassure@tccd.edu.
SOFTWARE YOU CANNOT USE
1. Microsoft Office
2. No cell phone application
3. No web service applications like Google, Yahoo, etc.
4. The software must be used for business purposes. If you are
unsure, please contact the professor first. Do not waste your
time using a software that will not be accepted for this
assignment. I am sorry will not work. Remember, we discussed
this as the Dallas Residency.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Use the template located on the course web site.
2. Do not delete or add any additional pages.
3. After completing the template, save the file and upload it to
Blackboard.