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Systems Engineering Case Study: A Software‐Driven Whole‐Farm Management Information System
Author(s) -
Alessi R. Samuel,
Vang Leng,
Hjelmfelt Eric,
Mayhew Michael E.,
Voorhees Ward B.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
incose international symposium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2334-5837
DOI - 10.1002/j.2334-5837.1993.tb01668.x
Subject(s) - programmer , usability , computer science , software engineering , requirements elicitation , information system , requirements analysis , management information systems , coding (social sciences) , systems engineering , software system , software , engineering management , engineering , human–computer interaction , electrical engineering , programming language , statistics , mathematics
Farming involves complex interaction among natural and manmade resources. This results in high‐risk decision‐making for farm managers. A farm‐based management information system would aid the manager by providing records of past farm operations and production, in addition to forecasting possible outcomes of future management decisions. This paper presents an attempt to use systems engineering principles for the design and construction of a farm management information system. Improved understanding of farm problems and system requirements have resulted from intimate involvement with users and a prototyping process to capture requirements. Design, prior to software coding, is being implemented and has enabled clearer and more complex communications between the designer and programmer. These systems engineering principles are directly responsible for the increased functionality and usability of the software‐driven system.