This web based booking and counseling project was initially conceived for Dilemma Counseling
Services as a web system, offering counseling to masses (refer to project proposal). The idea
then was to have an online portal where clients can post problems and counselors respond to
them. However the core issue was, whether it would be done for free at the expense of Dilemma
Counseling time and finances. But as the idea of the web based counseling system was
brainstormed by top management, new requirements arose. To maximize potential of the web
based system proposed, the management realized their booking system was a mess and resulted
in data duplication and clashing bookings. The ineffectual booking system then in place brought
constant complaints from clients whose counseling sessions clashed. The Dilemma Staff
contracted me to offer expertise on if counseling and booking can be incorporated into a web
based system that is financially viable this was possible. So I adopted a Unified Software
Development Process (USDP) because after interviewing the various staff I was not satisfied
with the feedback. Thus I choose USDP as the software development method since it allows new
requirements to be factored at any project stage. Sure enough as the software development
process progressed new requirements arose like online counseling system, processing payments
made and assigning username and passwords for clients who pay but prefer online counseling as
opposed to face to face counseling. The system allows staff to book clients remotely online via
secure log in. The clients counseled can have their progress tracked easily via the secure
counseling chat system. I stuck to the USDP process and working on each workflow and
resultant artifacts like Unified Modeling Language diagrams to ensure the project was well
modeled to be realized in construction and transition phases.
Table of Contents
Project Background
Project Plan
Road Map and Methodology
Object Modeling Phases
Unified Software Development Process
Development Methodologies
Project Inception
Design and Modeling
Events Flow
Feasibility Study
System Design
Interface Design
Risk List
State Diagram
Requirements Modeling
System Construction
User Manual
Test Plan
Project Transition to Users
Project Appraisal
Project Objectives and Focus Areas
This project aims to address the operational inefficiencies, such as clashing bookings and disorganized record-keeping, within Dilemma Counseling Services by developing a robust, web-based booking and counseling management system that facilitates remote interactions and improves service accessibility.
- Analysis of existing manual booking and tracking workflows.
- Development of a web-based interface for client booking and counselor interaction.
- Implementation of secure user authentication and login systems.
- Optimization of client progress tracking through online counseling sessions.
- Evaluation of system feasibility from technical, operational, and economic perspectives.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Introduction
Dilemma Counseling Services is based in Nairobi and has offered counseling services from its inception in July of 1990. It was founded by Eric Owiyo to counsel rape and conflict victims. Initially, it operated on an on off basis where, victims especially from the slum areas sought help from the founder on confronting various crisis they had. The founder gave general advice but referred some victims to experts he knew could tackle specific problems. As people kept streaming for impromptu counseling, the need for experts was arrived at. Over the next six years, the organization branched into other aspects of counseling. By mid nineties when there were tribal clashes, the staff mobilized resources to aid the victims. Even after the tangible needs were met emotional hurt still remained. That was when Trauma department of counseling was established. As the community needs increased counseling departments were created for specific problems. Currently, they counsel around 20 to 30 victims done by 20 counselors working on rotational basis.
Summary of Chapters
Project Background: This chapter provides an overview of Dilemma Counseling Services, detailing its origins, current operational challenges, and the motivation behind transitioning to a web-based management system.
Project Plan: Outlines the procedural timeline and scheduling for the various phases of the project, including research, development, and implementation.
Road Map and Methodology: Documents the strategic approach and the choice of the Unified Software Development Process (USDP) for project execution.
Object Modeling Phases: Describes the theoretical stages of object-oriented modeling and how they inform the system development process.
Unified Software Development Process: Details the procedural phases of USDP, including inception, elaboration, construction, and transition, as applied to this specific project.
Development Methodologies: Compares various software development approaches, justifying the selection of USDP over other traditional methodologies.
Project Inception: Focuses on the initial assessment of the current system's limitations and the preliminary modeling of requirements for the new solution.
Design and Modeling: Covers the architectural design and visual representation of the system components to prepare for construction.
Keywords
Dilemma Counseling, Web Based System, Booking System, USDP, Object Modeling, Software Development, ASP.NET, MS Access, Counseling Services, Database Design, User Interface, Requirements Engineering, System Implementation, Online Counseling, Project Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core purpose of this project?
The project focuses on creating a web-based booking and counseling management system to replace the existing manual, error-prone system at Dilemma Counseling Services.
What are the primary areas of concern in the current system?
The primary issues are inefficient scheduling causing clashing bookings, data duplication, poor record-keeping, and difficulties in tracking client progress, especially for those located outside of Nairobi.
What is the main research question or objective?
The objective is to determine how a web-based platform can improve the efficiency of counseling services by automating the booking process and enabling secure, real-time client-counselor interactions.
Which scientific development methodology is applied?
The project utilizes the Unified Software Development Process (USDP) due to its iterative and incremental nature, which allows for changing requirements throughout the development lifecycle.
What content is covered in the main body of the project report?
The report covers requirement analysis, system architecture and design (including UML modeling), feasibility studies, database design, and the implementation of user interfaces using ASP.NET and MS Access.
Which keywords characterize this project?
The project is characterized by terms such as Web Based System, USDP, Counseling Services, Database Design, and Software Development.
How does the system handle counselor-client confidentiality?
The system incorporates secure login interfaces that authenticate both counselors and clients, ensuring that sensitive counseling sessions and progress logs remain confidential and restricted to authorized users.
What specific role does the 'Accounts Department' play in the new system?
The Accounts Department is responsible for verifying client payments, approving booking requests, and managing access passwords to ensure that counseling services are only provided to clients who have fulfilled financial requirements.
- Quote paper
- James Karuga (Author), 2008, Dilemma Web Based Booking and Counseling System, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/199185
