Gemma Gerondis
Resene Database
Paraparaumu College
Year 13 ICT Technology, Full year 2006
Teacher: Tricia Winter
Gemma chose her local Resene Paints branch as her client for her major Year 13 project. After an initial interview with the key stakeholder, the branch's Head of Sales, Gemma decided to produce a relational database, which would enable her client to compile sales information and compose reports for different outlets. The database had to be easy to use, compliant with codes of practice, and capable of producing sales summaries for sales reports, and useful to the project's target audience – shop sale staff.
To broaden her understanding of databases, Gemma looked at how other ICT technologists had used databases to satisfy clients' needs. She decided to use Microsoft Access to create her database, rather than the lower-level Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, because it could hold more information and whole reports could be easily stored and accessed.
To ensure she had the base skills required by the project, Gemma completed activities in three Microsoft Access textbooks, focusing on problems similar to those posed by her issue. To ensure she was on the right track, she emailed a business analyst at Resene, seeking advice on the advanced ICT skills she would require for the project.
To make her product user-friendly, Gemma designed a template for her client which included macros to speed up data entry and reduce potential errors. The template/macro design also enabled her stakeholder to break down information and assign it to the specific activities in specific shops.
Gemma visited a Colour Shop and had sales staff test her database. Their response and that of the project's key stakeholder confirmed the outcome was fit for purpose.
"All of my stakeholder's needs and desires have been met by this solution. I designed it so that it will not only benefit my client and his sales team but also the rest of the company, as they will be able to use it (with the permission of my stakeholder) to clearly see the productivity of their company on a specific basis. This enables them to target problem areas and increase the productivity of the company. Overall, this solution meets with the requirements set out in the final brief and meets all of my client's needs."
Teacher comment
Gemma was very thorough in her research and used all the resources she could find. Her dedication is evident in the depth of planning achieved. Gemma has since gone on to University and is now completing a double degree in IT and Biology. This year (2007) she came back to my classes and talked about the portfolio and technology practice in general. The students found this invaluable. Gemma will succeed in whatever she undertakes as she has the determination and drive to do so. Her skill with in-depth planning stands her in good stead.