The presentation layer assessment builds on the general system architecture assessment and further defines the user or presentation view of an application's data.
· Identify all on-line and batch input and output (presentation) media
· Document the general categories of data entry and user viewing
· Summarize the quality and conformance of existing presentation facilities
The entrance criteria for the presentation layer assessment task are listed below.
· Completion of the environmental analysis and data definition analysis of the technical assessment
· Completion of general system architecture assessment
Note: The following is a top-down activity completed outside the scope of this assessment and based on target user requirements.
· Identification of target technical and data architecture by strategic planning team
The personnel and skill requirements necessary to meet the presentation layer assessment task objectives are identified below.
· Redevelopment Expert
- Ability to examine systems and develop categorized inventory of user views
- Basic repository update skills
- Knowledge of graphical user interface (GUI) tools that support this process
· Current Systems Expert
- Knowledge of current on-line/batch module interfaces
- Knowledge of existing user interfaces and views
- Knowledge of location and functions of user owned systems
· Target System Functional Expert
- Knowledge of target presentation requirements
Note: Optional based on target system requirement.
· Metric Analyst
- Ability to assess & record architectural metrics
The system components and related inputs required to initiate and complete the presentation layer assessment task are listed below.
· Physical system environmental components including:
- Screen maps (source definition) for BMS, MFS or related on-line source maps
- Source code for report producing modules
Note: All source should be available for each system/sub-system being assessed.
· DFD representations from general system architecture assessment for:
- Batch and on-line system data flows
- System/sub-system interface maps
- Interface system data flow
· Completed Inventory/Analysis Executive Planning Form 001
· Completed Environmental Analysis Form 003A from environmental analysis
· Environmental analysis reports showing:
- Job/step/executable/source/physical data file
- On-line execution tables (CICS, ACB, etc.)
- Screen to Program(s)
- Program to Screen(s)
· A copy of Architectural Assessment Form 006 with
- Completed general system architecture assessment section
- Blank presentation layer assessment section
· Physical component inventory and cross reference lists produced during the environmental analysis
· I/O record group list from the data definition analysis
Optional - for systems not requiring/desiring a change in architecture.
· Target architecture based on strategic redevelopment objectives and Inventory/Analysis Executive Planning Form 001
Optional - where available.
· Legacy transition meta-model (LTM) populated with all system components and relationships based on used in prior Comsys-TIM tasks
Technologies supporting the presentation layer assessment task include presentation extract/design, environmental analyzer, data flow diagramming, spreadsheet, project management, open systems repository, and word processing tools. These tools are used to represent information as required by this task.
Presentation extract/design tool
Several tools support the analysis of user presentation layer views of a system. Any tool capable of providing automated screen and/or report mockups for system reporting or on-line teleprocessing facilities can support this task. Attributes providing this assistance are listed below:
· screen map layouts
· Report layout mockups
Environmental analyzer
· Ability to relate screen maps to records occurring in source code
· Optionally, automatically generate data flow diagrams from JCL for IBM MVS batch environments
· Underlying repository of physical objects linked according to naturally occurring relationships - optional but highly recommended feature for this task if no LTM repository available
Data flow diagramming tool
· Update system flows at the program /file level
· Update information flows to/from interface systems
Spreadsheet
This tool is used to record metric results for this task.
Open systems repository
A repository provides an important, yet optional, capability to link business areas, systems and components using the legacy transition meta-model. In this task, the repository is used to trace relationships between forms and programs as input to analysis process. It is also updated to reflect or refine form to program relationships.
Word processor
This is required to record analysis results.
The presentation layer assessment task is comprised of the following task steps:
