Modelling at the actor-task level (15%)

Question 1

Actor-Task view

Answer 1

Level 3
Documents the steps needed / work needed to complete the task

Question 2

Rationale for task analysis

Answer 2

• Useful for improvement as it understands work in detail
• Uncovers decisions made and identifies alternative scenarios

Question 3

Task Analysis

Answer 3

Task description for each task

(ASCOMBINES)For each task in the process we need to know the following:
Name of the task
Actor / role carrying out the task
Business event triggering the task
Inputs to the task
Outputs expected from the task
Costs associated with the task
Measures / metrics applied to the task
Standards that constrain the task
Business rules that are to be followed
Detailed breakdown of steps within the task

Question 4

Documenting steps of tasks

Answer 4

1. Narrative
2. UML activity diagram notation (single lane)
3. Use case description
4. Structured English

Question 5

2 Types of Business Rules

Answer 5

Constraints: restrict how an activity is performed (internal/external)
Outside world: customers must pay VAT on cinema tickets
Other parts of the business: never leave single seats unfilled in the middle of a row
Operational Guidance: determine how activities are done (external/internal)
External: how to calculate VAT on cinema tickets
Within the business: what to do when if we can’t seat a group of customers together

Question 6

How do do we measure performance of a task

Answer 6

TQC
3 E’s

Note that improving the efficiency of a task may not improve the efficiency of the process overall

Question 7

Use Case Descriptions

Answer 7

Actor
Use Case (task) name
Goal of the use case
Event that starts the Use Case
Preconditions that must obtain to allow the use case to start
Postconditions that will be in place after each flow
The Main Flow of steps (ie, the most common/happy flow)
The Alternate Flows

Question 8

Structured English decision

Answer 8

IF THEN (decisions)

ELSE(IF) (if no above conditions apply

ENDIF

Question 9

Structured English - Repeat task

Answer 9

DOWHILE condition…ENDWHILE (repeats while condition is true)
DOUNTIL condition…ENDUNTIL (repeats while condition is false)

Question 10

DO
DOUNTIL payment successful OR there are no more payment methods
IF payment method is cash THEN
take cash payment
IF change required THEN
give change
ENDIF
ELSE IF payment method is cheque THEN
check details
IF details not correct
reject cheque
ENDIF
ELSE
key in amount on card machine
ask customer for PIN
ENDIF
IF payment successful THEN
generate receipt
ELSE
ask for alternative payment method
ENDIF
ENDUNTIL
ENDDO

Answer 10

Here is the translation of the structured English into sentences:

Do the following until payment is successful or there are no more payment methods available.
If the payment method is cash, accept the cash payment.
If change is required, provide the necessary change.
Otherwise, if the payment method is a cheque, verify the cheque details.
If the details are not correct, reject the cheque.
If none of the above conditions apply, key in the payment amount on the card machine and ask the customer for their PIN.
If the payment is successful, generate a receipt.
If the payment is not successful, ask the customer for an alternative payment method.
Repeat the entire process until payment is successful or there are no more payment methods available.

Question 12

Task Analysis description

Answer 12

Actor: Role/group/system with responsibility of performing the task

Event: Event that triggers the task (other than initial task, each task initiated by a sub event)

Input: Information required to start work

Output: Deliverable produced from conducting the task

Cost: Cost associated with performance of the task
- i.e. Average time to handle call is 3 mins equates to 1/20 hourly rate

Performance Measure: Evaluate the performance of the task. Concerned with 1) Accuracy 2) Timeliness
- Normally start with a verb i.e. Complete call within 5 mins / Check identity of 100% of calls

Steps: Individual actions (actor may be require to apply BR when performing a step)