Facilitate Change

Definition

Facilitate Change describes the degree to which the application has been developed for easy modification of processing logic or data structure.

The following characteristics can apply for the application:

  • Flexible Query
    1. Flexible query and report facility is provided that can handle simple requests. (count as 1 item)
    2. Flexible query and report facility is provided that can handle requests of average complexity. (count as 2 items)
    3. Flexible query and report facility is provided that can handle complex requests. (count as 3 items)
  • Business Control Data
    1. Business control data is kept in tables that are maintained by the user with on-line interactive processes, but changes take effect only on the next business cycle. (count as 1 item)
    2. Business control data is kept in tables that are maintained by the user with on-line interactive processes, and the changes take effect immediately. (count as 2 items)

Score

Score As Descriptions To Determine Degree of Influence
0 None of the above.
1 A total of one item from above.
2 A total of two items from above.
3 A total of three items from above.
4 A total of four items from above.
5 A total of five items from above.

Hints

  • A flexible query and reporting facility means more than a list of choices in a "canned" query or report.
  • It is the ability of the user to control the data, data source, sequence and format of their query or report request.
  • It means freedom to design screen layout, horizontal and vertical sorting, data item display formats, selection criteria for both files and data items.
  • It includes true user programming for inquiries and is sometimes referred to as ad hoc query or reporting
  • Using filters which control the amount of data viewed or printed in a fixed format is not considered to be a flexible query and report facility.
  • Query and/or report writer capability is often provided by languages such as SQL or Focus or by some of the more dynamic ad hoc reporting tools (e.g., Crystal Reports).
  • Simple requests may include and/or logic applied to only one internal logical file.
  • Requests of average complexity may include and/or logic applied to more than one internal logical file.
  • Complex requests may include and/or logic combinations on one or more internal logic files.
  • Business Control Data (Reference Data) is stored to support the business rules for the maintenance of the Business Data; e.g., in a payroll application it would be the data stored on the government tax rates for each wage scale and the date the tax rate became effective.
  • See Part 2, Code Data for additional information.

Typically

Scoring is not platform dependent.