The systems life cycle (SLC) provides a structured approach for developing, implementing and maintaining information systems. It ensures that each stage – from initial planning to ongoing maintenance – is carried out methodically, reducing risk and improving the quality of the final product.
Phases of the Systems Life Cycle
Planning
Analysis
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Maintenance
Output Formats in the Design Phase
During the design phase, ICT professionals decide how the system will present information to users. Two common output formats are screen layouts (for interactive systems) and report layouts (for printed or electronic reports).
Screen Layouts
A screen layout is the arrangement of visual elements on a display. It should be clear, consistent and support the tasks the user needs to perform.
Header – Title, logo, navigation links.
Menu / Navigation bar – Provides access to different sections.
Main content area – Where primary information or data‑entry fields appear.
Sidebar – Optional area for supplementary information or shortcuts.
Footer – Copyright, contact details, help links.
Component
Purpose
Typical Elements
Header
Identify the application and provide quick navigation
Logo, system name, logout button
Menu
Organise functions logically
Drop‑down menus, icons, breadcrumbs
Main Content
Display primary data or forms
Tables, forms, charts, text
Sidebar
Offer contextual tools
Filters, shortcuts, help tips
Footer
Provide ancillary information
Legal notices, version number, support link
Suggested diagram: Wireframe of a typical screen layout showing header, navigation bar, main area, sidebar and footer.
Report Layouts
Report layouts are used when the system generates printable or electronic documents. They must be structured so that information can be read quickly and accurately.
Title Page – Report title, author, date.
Table of Contents – Lists sections with page numbers.
Executive Summary – Brief overview of key findings.
Body Sections – Detailed information, often divided into headings and sub‑headings.
Tables and Charts – Present data visually.
Footnotes / Endnotes – Provide references or additional details.
Appendices – Supplementary material.
Section
Content
Formatting Tips
Title Page
Report name, author, date
Center‑aligned, larger font, bold
Table of Contents
Section headings with page numbers
Use dot leaders, consistent indentation
Executive Summary
Key points in concise paragraphs
Bullet points for clarity
Body
Headings, sub‑headings, paragraphs
Numbered headings (1., 1.1, 1.1.1), ample white space
Tables/Charts
Data representation
Clear labels, legends, consistent style
Footnotes
References, explanations
Superscript numbers, smaller font
Appendices
Raw data, calculations
Label each appendix (A, B, …)
Design Considerations for Both Formats
User needs – Choose a layout that supports tasks efficiently.
Consistency – Use the same fonts, colours and navigation patterns throughout.
Accessibility – Ensure readability (contrast, font size) and provide alternatives for screen readers.
Device constraints – Screen layouts must adapt to different resolutions; reports may need portrait or landscape options.
Data security – Sensitive information should be hidden or masked in both screens and printed reports.
Practical Example
Consider a school management system that tracks student attendance.
Screen layout – Dashboard shows a calendar, attendance summary, and quick links to add or edit records.
Report layout – End‑of‑month attendance report includes a title page, summary table, bar chart of attendance percentages, and a list of students with low attendance.
Suggested diagram: Flow from screen layout (dashboard) to generated attendance report.
Summary
Output formats are defined during the design phase of the systems life cycle.
Screen layouts focus on interactive, on‑screen presentation; report layouts focus on structured, printable documents.
Both require clear organization, consistency, and consideration of user needs and device constraints.