Specifications

146 Module 125: Protege GX System Design | Identifying Requirements
Identifying Requirements
A well planned system design will result in a much smoother and efficient installation and configuration process.
It is important to get as much information about what the end user is trying to achieve early on.
Sit down with your end user or consultant and run through their requirements. Try to keep the design as simple
as possible. Ask the questions that will give you all the information you need for your system design.
The Five W's of System Design
When designing an access control system, the five W’s need to be asked:
 Who are the people we are managing?
 What are the people allowed to do?
 Where are the people allowed to go?
 When are they allowed to do these things or go these places?
 Why did someone do something or go somewhere?
The first 4 questions relate to system design, the last is about monitoring and reporting from the system once it
is up and running. All are important to think about before you install or program your system.
Determine Areas to be Managed
First, look at the key areas that need to be managed.
 Where are the entry points to the areas?
 How are we going to control access to these areas?
 Do we need to know when people are exiting these areas as well as entering them?
 Do we need intruder detection in these areas?
From this information, we can list our physical hardware and areas required.
Determine Schedule Requirements
Secondly, find out what times the Users come and go.
 Are there people that need to access the building 24/7?
 Are there standard office hours?
 Are there multiple shift times?
 Should managers be given extended access times?
Answers to these questions will allow us to create our schedules.