Three packaging rules for information system design

Abstract

After identifying the processing functions required in a computer based information system, the designer needs to combine them into an optimal set of load units. Some "packaging" arrangements yield a better system than others, depending upon characteristics of the data collected from external sources and the data extracted for external users. An effective and technically efficient system satisfies three rules. 1. If two user data types are needed at different times, the corresponding extract functions should be separated in different load units. 2. If source data predates the user data derived from it, the corresponding collect and extract functions should be separated in different load units. 3. If two source data types are available at different frequencies, one being less frequent than the user data derived from it, the corresponding collect functions should be separated in different load units.