In this lab, we will do a group requirements workshop on another problem domain. Then, each class member will individually design, create, and submit a domain model as defined and illustrated in Chapter 9 of the textbook.
The problem domain for this lab assignment is a corporate points-based customer rewards program, such as AirMiles, Aeroplan, HBC Rewards, Shoppers Drug Mart's Optimum program, and the like.
Assume that a customer earns points by purchasing products in the stores operated by our corporate client. Customers have to sign up to participate in the rewards program, and are issued a membership number for their rewards program account. Whenever a member purchases some items in one of our client's stores and presents their rewards program membership number, the store communicates with our system in order to add reward points to that member's account. Our system does not calculate the number of points awarded; it only keeps track of the number of points to be awarded as specified by the store.
The corporation's reward program includes two classes of membership: regular and premium. From time to time, the corporation specifies the criteria by which a member's account will be reclassified as a premium account or reverted to a standard account. For example, the reward plan rules might specify that the account of any member earning at least 100,000 points in a given calendar year will be promoted to premium status.
The system under design (SUD) will report the status and number of points in the account of a particular member if that information is requested, by account number, by the corporation or by the member. A member may query the status and points in his or her account through a web-based online system with appropriate authentication (i.e., by password).
The system will also allow members to redeem some or all of their accumulated points in exchange for products or services as advertised in a rewards program catalog (both in print and online). For each product or service listed in the catalog, the number of points that must be redeemed for that item is indicated. For most items, a different number of points is specified for premium members than for regular members. When a reward program member selects a product or service, the number of points specified for that member's account status is deducted from the member's account.
Although the SUD will maintain the catalog of products and services available for redemption of points through the rewards program, the actual products and services are provided by our corporate client and other corporate partners. When a member redeems points in exchange for a product or service, the system in turn places an order for that product or service with the appropriate corporate partner, requesting that it be delivered to the address provided by the member at the time of points redemption.
The system will also provide a summary report to the corporation, including such details as the number of members in the reward program, the proportion of regular and premium accounts, the total number and average number of points held by members, the activity — number of points earned and redeemed — of all members over a specified time period (annually or quarterly), and the proportion of inactive members (those who neither earned nor redeemed points in the specified time period).
Submit the domain model diagram in hard-copy form by the beginning of the lab session on Thursday, October 18. Late submissions will be assessed a penalty of 1% per hour.
Copyright © 2007 Jonathan Mohr