--- title: "Conceptual design of IS" subject: "Information System" chapter: 5 key: "semester_8/information_system:conceptual-design-steps" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/information_system/conceptual-design-steps site: BCT Engineering --- # Conceptual design of IS Information System · Chapter 5: Planning for IS - Asked in: 2069 Bhadra (old course), 2+4 marks - Video: [Conceptual and technical design](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQf2JsVtj6s) — WIT Solapur - Professional Learning Community - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/information_system/conceptual-design-steps - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/information_system/chapter-5 ## Question What is meant by conceptual design of Information System? Discuss various steps involved in the conceptual design of a system. ## Short answer Conceptual design defines the logical, high‑level structure of a system without detailing hardware or programs. Steps: restate objectives, set constraints, identify information needs, decompose into subsystems, define outputs/inputs/data, produce alternative designs, evaluate them, and select the best for specification. ## Answer #### Conceptual design of an information system **Conceptual design** is the stage of system design in which the logical, high-level structure of the new system is defined: what the system will do and its major components, inputs, outputs, processes and data, without fixing the exact hardware or program details. It turns the requirements from analysis into a general blueprint, often called the system's functional or logical design. #### Steps in conceptual design 1. **Define the problem and objectives:** restate the requirements and the goals the system must meet. 2. **Establish system constraints:** cost, time, technology, laws and organisational limits. 3. **Determine information needs:** identify the information each user and decision maker needs. 4. **Identify the major subsystems and functions:** split the system into modules such as sales, inventory and billing. 5. **Define outputs, inputs and data:** specify reports, screens, forms and data stores, and draw data flow diagrams and a conceptual data model (ER diagram). 6. **Develop alternative designs:** produce two or more possible approaches (for example, in-house or package, centralised or distributed). 7. **Evaluate alternatives:** compare them for cost, benefit, risk and feasibility. 8. **Select the best design and prepare the specification:** document it and get approval from management before detailed design starts. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What is conceptual design? A. Writing final program code B. Defining the logical high-level structure of the system without fixing exact hardware or program details C. Installing hardware D. Testing the final system Answer: B. Conceptual design defines what the system will do and its major components, without detailed hardware or code. (Key point: Meaning) 2. Which step comes first? A. Evaluate alternatives B. Define the problem and objectives C. Select best design D. Develop alternative designs Answer: B. The process begins by restating requirements, problem and objectives. (Key point: Step order) 3. What is done in 'develop alternative designs'? A. Produce two or more approaches, e.g. in-house or package, centralised or distributed B. Choose a vendor only C. Write test cases D. Train users Answer: A. Alternatives such as in-house vs package are produced for comparison. (Key point: Alternatives) 4. Before detailed design starts, what must happen? A. The best design is selected, documented as specification and approved by management B. Code is deployed C. The system is scrapped D. No approval is needed Answer: A. The chosen design is documented and approved before detailed design. (Key point: Selection) ## Related in Information System - [Strategic information system and benefits](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Astrategic-is-benefits) — Information System, chapter 1, asked 2× - [Geographic Information System](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Agis-characteristics-uses) — Information System, chapter 1 - [Short note: HR information system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Ashort-note-hris) — Information System, chapter 6 - [Recommender system design and types](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Arecommender-design-types) — Information System, chapter 7 - [Information audit and its benefits](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Ainformation-audit-benefits) — Information System, chapter 2 - [MIS vs DSS information and processing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Amis-vs-dss-information-processing) — Information System, chapter 4 ## Related in other subjects - [Design steps and criteria of distribution system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Adistribution-design-steps) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 7, asked 3× - [Steps to design closed loop control system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fembedded_system%3Aclosed-loop-design-steps) — Embedded System, chapter 7 - [Conceptual, specification, implementation model classification](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fobject_oriented_analysis_and_design%3Ahospital-conceptual-specification-implementation) — Object Oriented Analysis and Design, chapter 2 - [Buy a Product conceptual model](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fobject_oriented_analysis_and_design%3Aonline-store-conceptual-model) — Object Oriented Analysis and Design, chapter 2