Identify section for GCSE IT Spreadsheet Project

3. Who are the users?

The users will be the teachers, who will be able to quickly and effectively put all the information [add up the scores to see whose winning and how many points that the participants need to get 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc] on.

4. Alternative Solutions

There are a number of ways the school could fix there problem:

1. They could use a spreadsheet to swiftly and efficiently work out the scores. The only problem is they would need a computer near by with access to the main server.  
2. They could hire some extra staff to work out the sums. This would save time for the staff. There are a number of problems with this, you would have to pay them and certificates would still have to be printed.
3. They could carry on with there current system. Nothing would be changed and there current problems would stay.

5. Justification of the Solution

I have decided that 1 is the best solution to use as it would be less costly and could be used in the long run. The software I am going to use is Microsoft Excel™ as it is the best and most efficient way, as well as it being ale to keep all of the data in the memory safely, without clutter and mess.  Now with

Microsoft Excel™ we can generate graphs which will help with organising the groups. It will also quickly and precisely work out total scores, as it can easily to any mathematical sum [uses formulae that are already installed on the programme]. I will also merge the data so that the highest total scores and groups from Microsoft Excel™ will appear on the certificate templates that will be on Microsoft Word™. We have also decided to use a wireless laptop, as it is portable and light, and its wireless so it can connect to the main server and all the information can be saved and be accessed by the whole school (although only administrators can change results “read-only” to students).

6. User Requirements

1. The teachers complained the certificates had to have the names be handwritten on the day. I will have the certificate templates ready on the computer, and when the winner is revealed, they can have their names been typed on straight away and be printed on a colour printer.
2. They wanted a way to retrieve all the tutor group scores quickly. I have decided that I am going to use tables in Microsoft Excel™ which will have the total scores at the bottom. In Microsoft Excel™ the total scores will change as points change.
3. The school wants the students to be able to visually see there scores, not to be read out. They can either use a projector with a printed table of the scores, or a smart board, pending on the budget.