Information Processes and Technology
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Semi-structured situation activity
Outcomes
This material addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:
A student:
H2.1 analyses and describes a system in terms of the information processes involved
H2.2 develops and explains solutions for an identified need which address all of the information processes
H5.1 justifies the selection and use of appropriate resources
and tools to effectively develop and manage projects
H6.2 selects, justifies and applies methodical approaches to planning, designing or implementing solutions.
Source: Board of studies NSW, Stage 6 Information Processes and Technology, Preliminary and HSC Courses (2007) http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/ipt-syllabus/ 
A housing lending officer from a banking institution has been trained to assess potential borrowers for home loans. In order for a borrower to be successful, they must satisfy the following criteria:
- Be employed on a full-time basis.
- Earning at least $35,000 a year gross.
- Have some savings with the institution or savings in another institution.
- Have some assets to show, i.e. car, shares.
- Have no other outstanding loans.
- Have a deposit for the property they wish to purchase.
- Prepared to pay over 25 years.
The borrower's gross income will influence the amount they borrow. It doesn’t matter if the borrower is married or single provided they satisfy all the criteria above.
Below is the decision table set up to show acceptance or rejection of the loan application.
| Conditions | Rules | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Employed on full time basis | Yes | No | Yes |
| Earning at least $35,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Savings with this or other institution | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Has some assets | Yes | No | Yes |
| Has no outstanding loans | No | Yes | No |
| Has a deposit for the property | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Prepared to pay over 25 years | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Actions | |||
| approve loan application | No | No | Yes |
This table shows conditions applicable to three different borrowers.
| Acceptance or rejection of loan criteria | Borrower 1 | Borrower 2 | Borrower 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employed on full time basis | Yes | No | Yes |
| Earning at least $35,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Savings with this or other institution | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Have some assets | Yes | No | Yes |
| Have no outstanding loans | No | Yes | No |
| Have a deposit for the property | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Prepared to pay over 25 years | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can loan be approved? | No | No | Yes |
From the information in the decision table above, borrowers 1 and 2 don’t satisfy the criteria and therefore, would not be given the approval for their requested loan.
Questions
- Why does borrower 3 satisfy the criteria?
- What aspect of the criteria is not as clearly defined as the others given?
- Create a spreadsheet that would also show these results.
- A museum uses the following conditions to set admission prices:
Age < 5 Free admission Age > 5 OR < OR = 15 Pay half price Age < 80 or > 15 Pay full price Age > OR = 80 Pay half price Sunday or Public Holiday Pay half price Sunday or Public Holiday AND age > OR = 80 Free admission
Create a decision table which specifies conditions, rules and actions for these criteria.
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