5-4-1 Case Study Overview

Key Concepts

• Problem Statement
• Stakeholders
• Requirements Gathering
• Solution Design
• Implementation and Testing

Problem Statement

The Problem Statement defines the issue or challenge that the case study aims to address. It outlines the current situation, the desired outcome, and the objectives that need to be achieved. This sets the stage for the entire case study.

Example: A company is experiencing frequent network outages during peak hours, leading to significant downtime and productivity loss. The problem statement would outline the need to improve network reliability and performance during these critical times.

Stakeholders

Stakeholders are individuals or groups who have an interest in the outcome of the case study. They include decision-makers, end-users, and other relevant parties who will be affected by or involved in the solution. Identifying stakeholders helps ensure that all perspectives are considered during the design process.

Example: In the network reliability case study, stakeholders might include the IT department, network administrators, company executives, and end-users who rely on the network for their daily tasks.

Requirements Gathering

Requirements Gathering involves collecting and documenting the needs and expectations of stakeholders. This phase is crucial for understanding the specific requirements that the solution must meet to address the problem statement effectively.

Example: During requirements gathering, the IT team might interview network administrators to understand the current network architecture, gather performance metrics, and identify specific areas that need improvement. They might also consult with end-users to understand their needs and pain points.

Solution Design

Solution Design is the process of creating a detailed plan to address the problem statement based on the gathered requirements. This includes designing the network architecture, selecting appropriate technologies, and outlining the implementation strategy.

Example: In the network reliability case study, the solution design might include upgrading network hardware, implementing redundant links, and optimizing traffic management to ensure high availability and performance during peak hours.

Implementation and Testing

Implementation and Testing involve putting the designed solution into action and verifying that it meets the specified requirements. This phase includes deploying the new network components, configuring them according to the design, and conducting thorough testing to ensure everything works as expected.

Example: After designing the solution, the IT team would implement the new network architecture, configure the upgraded hardware, and conduct load testing to ensure the network can handle peak traffic without outages. They might also perform failover tests to verify the effectiveness of the redundant links.

Examples and Analogies

Think of the Problem Statement as the blueprint of a house that needs renovation. Stakeholders are the homeowners, contractors, and architects who have a vested interest in the project. Requirements Gathering is like meeting with each stakeholder to understand their specific needs and preferences.

Solution Design is akin to creating a detailed renovation plan, including the materials to be used and the steps to be taken. Implementation and Testing are the actual renovation process, where the plan is executed and verified to ensure the house meets all the desired specifications.