← VCE Software Development U3O2

Social constraints

A limit on a solution from the needs, values or abilities of the people affected, such as accessibility, cultural expectations and user acceptance.

Part of: VCE Software Development - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 34, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Understanding Digital Problems — Module 35, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Real-World Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 12, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Complex Digital Data Exchange Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 8

Understanding Social constraints in VCE Software Development U3O2

What it does: The constraint comes from the abilities of the users, so the solution must include features such as screen reader support and alt text. Users' cultural values shape what is appropriate, so the design must respect their customs, language and symbols. Cultural expectations are the values of the people affected by the solution, which makes this a social constraint. Social constraints relate to people. Laws and regulations create legal constraints. User acceptance must be planned for, for example through training and consultation, because resistance can limit whether the solution succeeds.

Common mistakes: Needs of users with low vision are a social constraint, not an economic one. Economic constraints are about budget and cost. The line should be CONSTRAINT type: social. Australian users expect day first, so the test must check DD/MM/YYYY. MM/DD/YYYY ignores the cultural expectation stated in the need.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 26–41) and word search (Modules 26–51).

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Learning
Duo
Which is an example of a social constraint?
The software must be finished with a budget of $5,000Users with low vision need a screen-reader-friendly interface
Matches
Social constraint: The app must cost less than $5000 to build
↓
This is an economic constraint about budget, not a social constraint about the needs, values or abilities of the people affected
Applying
Meanings
Term
social constraint
Meaning
A limit on a solution from the needs, values or abilities of the people affected, such as accessibility, cultural expectations and user acceptance.
Practice
Social constraint: accessibility
Testing
Gaps
Constraint type:
Check Answer
Spots
1CONSTRAINT type: economic
2Theme: accessibility

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Quick Questions

1. Which is an example of a social constraint?
A. Users with low vision need a screen-reader-friendly interface ✓
B. The software must be finished with a budget of $5,000
Accessibility needs come from the abilities of the people affected, so they are social constraints. A budget limit is an economic constraint.
2. A school app must avoid imagery and colours that offend families from some cultures. This is a...
A. Legal constraint (copyright)
B. Social constraint (cultural expectations) ✓
Cultural expectations are the values of the people affected by the solution, which makes this a social constraint.
3. Which statement about user acceptance is correct?
A. If a solution meets all functional requirements, users will always accept it
B. A solution may be technically perfect but still fail if users refuse to adopt it ✓
User acceptance is a social constraint. People must be willing to use the solution, so their attitudes limit what will succeed.
4. Which is a social constraint on a bus timetable app for older adults?
A. Text must be large and buttons easy to tap for users with limited dexterity ✓
B. The app must run on Android 12 or later only
Users' abilities create a social constraint. The operating system limit is a technical constraint.
5. Staff resist a new system because they fear it will replace their jobs. Which constraint is this?
A. User acceptance (social constraint) ✓
B. Hardware limitation (technical constraint)
Resistance from the people affected is a user acceptance issue, which is a social constraint.

Match the Pairs

social constraint → A limit on a solution from the needs, values or abilities of the people affected by it
user acceptance → Whether the people who must use the solution are willing to adopt it and change how they work
Accessibility is a social constraint because some users have vision, hearing or mobility needs the solution must support → Constraint: All screens must work with a screen reader and have alt text on every image
Cultural expectations limit a solution because the content, language and symbols must suit the users' values and customs → Constraint: Dates, names and icons must suit the cultural background of the app's users
Social constraint: The app must cost less than $5000 to build → This is an economic constraint about budget, not a social constraint about the needs, values or abilities of the people affected
Social constraint: Staff already like the new system, so no limits come from users → Assuming user acceptance is automatic ignores that staff may resist change, so their willingness to adopt it is still a constraint

Key Term

social constraint
A limit on a solution from the needs, values or abilities of the people affected, such as accessibility, cultural expectations and user acceptance.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Constraint type: social
Hint: Type the constraint category for limits that come from the needs, values or abilities of the people affected.
2. ADD alt text to images for screen readers
Hint: Type the two-word text description added to images so a screen reader can describe them to vision-impaired users.
3. DISPLAY menu text in the user's language
Hint: Type the cultural element of the interface that should match what the user speaks and reads.
4. Run user testing to check user acceptance
Hint: Type the word for how willing users are to adopt and keep using the solution.
5. IF user is colour blind THEN show patterns with colour END IF
Hint: Type the pseudocode keyword that starts a selection, so the accessibility feature only runs when the condition is true.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A CONSTRAINT type: economic
B Theme: accessibility
C Need: screen reader support
D Affects: users with low vision
Line A — Needs of users with low vision are a social constraint, not an economic one. Economic constraints are about budget and cost. The line should be CONSTRAINT type: social.
Question 2
A Theme: cultural expectations
B Need: use DD/MM/YYYY dates
C Users: Australian customers
D Test: dates show MM/DD/YYYY
Line D — Australian users expect day first, so the test must check DD/MM/YYYY. MM/DD/YYYY ignores the cultural expectation stated in the need.
Question 3
A Theme: user acceptance
B Users resist big changes
C Plan: switch all staff at once
D Goal: staff accept the app
Line C — Forcing everyone to switch at once ignores user acceptance and invites resistance. The plan should support users, for example training staff before launch.
Question 4
A <form>
B <label for="name">Name</label>
C <input id="nam" type="text">
D </form>
Line C — The input id must match the label's for value so screen readers announce the label. This is an accessibility constraint. It should be id="name".
Question 5
A SET background TO white
B SET text TO pale yellow
C DISPLAY message
Line B — Pale yellow on white has poor contrast, so users with low vision or colour-vision difficulties cannot read it. Accessibility needs strong contrast, such as black text.

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