← QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2

Specifying output requirements

A statement of what information a solution must produce, in what format and medium, for which audience, and how often it is produced.

Part of: QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data-Driven Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 74

Understanding Specifying output requirements in QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2

What it does: The requirement lists the exact data items to be shown, which is the content sub-theme of an output requirement. It names the audience (parents) and shapes the detail and wording to suit them. 'Printed A4 report' tells us the format (report) and the medium (paper). It says nothing about frequency. 'At the end of each school day' is the frequency. 'Table layout' is the format. The medium is how the output is delivered, such as a phone screen, paper or email. 'Weekly' is how often it is produced. The first requirement gives content, format and frequency but does not say who will use the file. The second adds the audience.

Common mistakes: The content of a sales report must be the sales information the manager needs. Staff home addresses are unrelated. It should read something like 'Content: total sales per item'. An output requirement describes what the solution produces, so the line must be labelled 'Output', not 'Input'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 2–115) and word search (Modules 2–139).

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Learning
Duo
Which is a complete output requirement for a school canteen app?
A PDF sales summary of items sold, emailed to the canteen manager every FridayThe app should show some sales stuff
Matches
Output: a report
↓
Too vague: it does not say what content the report holds, its format, its audience or how often it is produced
Applying
Meanings
Term
output requirement
Meaning
A statement of what information a solution must produce, in what format and medium, for which audience, and how often it is produced.
Practice
Output: Weekly sales report
Testing
Gaps
: store manager
Check Answer
Spots
1Output: Weekly sales report
2Content: staff home addresses

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Quick Questions

1. Which is a complete output requirement for a school canteen app?
A. A PDF sales summary of items sold, emailed to the canteen manager every Friday ✓
B. The app should show some sales stuff
A complete output requirement states the content, the format and medium, the audience and how often it is produced.
2. An output requirement should state what information the solution must produce. True or false?
A. True ✓
B. False
Content is the core of an output requirement: it names exactly what information must be produced, such as a list of overdue library loans.
3. Which sub-theme does 'a printed A4 report' describe?
A. Format and medium ✓
B. How often it is produced
'Printed A4 report' tells us the format (report) and the medium (paper). It says nothing about frequency.
4. Which output requirement correctly identifies the audience?
A. A summary of attendance that is accurate and fast
B. A one-page summary of student attendance for the Head of Department ✓
The audience is the person or group who will use the output. 'Accurate and fast' describes quality, which is a non-functional requirement.
5. Which statement states how often an output is produced?
A. Generate the stock level report in a table layout
B. Generate the stock level report at the end of each school day ✓
'At the end of each school day' is the frequency. 'Table layout' is the format.

Match the Pairs

Output: weekly sales report as a PDF for the manager → A complete output requirement: it names the content, the format, the audience and how often it is produced
Output: low-stock alert on screen, shown to the shop assistant each time an item falls below 5 → An output requirement that gives the medium (on screen), the audience (shop assistant) and the frequency (each time stock falls below 5)
The content of the output says exactly which information the solution must produce → Output: list of student names, year levels and total points
The audience of the output decides who will read it, so the style and detail must suit them → Output: one-page summary in plain language for parents
Output: a report → Too vague: it does not say what content the report holds, its format, its audience or how often it is produced
Output: print a bar graph of results for the colour-blind coach, every term, in red and green only → The format ignores the audience: red and green only is hard for a colour-blind reader to use

Key Term

output requirement
A statement of what information a solution must produce, in what format and medium, for which audience, and how often it is produced.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Output: weekly sales summary Audience: store manager Format: PDF
Hint: Type the label that names who will read or use the output.
2. Output: staff payslip Audience: employee Frequency: every second Friday
Hint: Type the label that states how often the output is produced.
3. Output: library overdue list Format: table on a screen Audience: librarian
Hint: Type the label that describes the form or medium the output takes.
4. Content: student name and house points Audience: teacher Frequency: daily
Hint: Type the label that states what information the output must include.
5. Output: attendance report Content: absent students Frequency: daily
Hint: Type the keyword that names the thing the solution must produce.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Output: Weekly sales report
B Content: staff home addresses
C Format: table in a PDF
D Audience: store manager
E Frequency: every Friday
Line B — The content of a sales report must be the sales information the manager needs. Staff home addresses are unrelated. It should read something like 'Content: total sales per item'.
Question 2
A Input: Term results report
B Content: mark per subject
C Format: printed A4 page
D Audience: parents
Line A — An output requirement describes what the solution produces, so the line must be labelled 'Output', not 'Input'.
Question 3
A Output: Bus delay alert
B Content: route and delay time
C Format: 40-page printed book
D Audience: commuters
E Frequency: when a bus is late
Line C — A quick delay alert needs a format and medium that reaches commuters immediately. A 40-page printed book is unsuitable. It should be something like 'Format: SMS text message'.
Question 4
A Output: Low stock list
B Audience: nobody in particular
C Content: items under 10 units
D Frequency: each morning
Line B — An output requirement must name a specific audience so the output can be designed for them. Here it should be 'Audience: warehouse staff'.
Question 5
A Output: Daily attendance list
B Content: student name, present
C Format: table on screen
D Frequency: once a year
E Audience: teacher
Line D — A daily attendance list has to be produced every school day. 'Once a year' contradicts the output name and the purpose of the list.

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