[Year 12 IPM] Re: top down, bottom up and middle out
Mark Kelly
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
Wed Sep 7 15:35:34 EST 2005
Yes we got it. I replied. Basic answer is "no"
kgration at myrtlefordsc.vic.edu.au wrote:
> Did members of the list get this the other day or not?
>
> No replies yet!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Kim
>
> --- Original Message ---
> From: kgration at myrtlefordsc.vic.edu.au
> Sent: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 14:13:55 +1000
> To: ipm at fhc.vic.edu.au
> Subject: Re: top down, bottom up and middle out
>
> Hello to all on the list,
>
> After the discussion last year regarding top down, bottom up and middle out I'm still a little vague on exactly what middle out is . . . is anyone else?
>
> Is there anyone out there on the list that can clarify this for me?
>
> Are students actually supposed to know what middle out is for the exam?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Kim
>
> ---
> Kim Gration
> ICT Manager
> Myrtleford Secondary College
> http://www.myrtlefordsc.vic.edu.au
>
> "Geoff Moss" <geoffmoss37 at optusnet.com.au> on Mon, 11 Oct 2004 15:32:38 +1000 wrote:
>
>>Oliver
>>
>>I usually relate the issue first to something students can relate to, like
>>building a house or doing house renovations.
>>
>>With a house we adopt a top-down approach because we can plan and organise
>>resources to complete the task within a time and financial budget.
>>Obviously, planning a whole house ensures all rooms and components are as
>>compatible as possible and the resources used are common throughout.
>>
>>First the house has to be planned and the plans submitted for approval.
>>
>>The builder breaks the task into smaller tasks so he can plan the tasks for
>>each tradesman and ensure the resources are on-site when required.
>>Surveying would need to precede the site works to ensure correct location of
>>the dwelling. Footings need to be prepared before the concrete arrives,
>>etc., etc.
>>He will arrange for the sparky to come when the frame is up to do the
>>initial wiring and then later at the finishing stages. The plumber would be
>>required early to undertake necessary underground/underhouse works. The
>>brickie would be called in when the bricks are on site and the frame in
>>place. All tradesmen would be organised, delivery of materials planned to
>>be on site for the tradesmen. These days, builders will not leave many
>>materials on site for too long before they are used. Appliances would need
>>to be planned for delivery as near as possible to installation.
>>
>>Imagine building a house, room by room, when time and money permits. You
>>would not be able to ensure that the bricks, and other building materials
>>will be compatible. Specifications and rules may change and you may need to
>>modify as you go. Imagine plumbing connections being done on an ad hoc
>>basis.
>>
>>[This was the situation for many after WW2. Soldiers on return had limited
>>funds and resources were scarce. Many constructed a fibro-cement dwelling
>>themselves because builders were not available or were too costly at the
>>time.]
>>
>>Also, using the kitchen renovation, imagine doing the benches say this year,
>>plasnning the overhead cupboards nerxt year, installing a new sink later,
>>and maybe a new cook top. Later we may decide to have combustion microwave.
>>We then decide to install an insinkerator - where will this go? In the
>>bench or the sink - does this mean replacing the sink again. Then we decide
>>to buy and install an oven - what about our combustion microwave? It is now
>>partly redundant. Now we want a new refrigerator. Because we want
>>ice-making facilities (don't we all) we find it is too big for the cavity.
>>Then we need to choose a smaller refrigerator or make the cavity space
>>bigger - this encroaches on other areas - Oh! the bernches will need to be
>>modified again. Did we have a pantry, do we need one. Where will it do?
>>Don't forget our internet-connected refrigerator.
>>
>>This is an example of bottom up planning. There is no clear overview of the
>>development. There is difficulty with ensuring everything is compatible,
>>there is duplication, there are additional costs. There are continual
>>disruptions. What about tuiling and painting? The chances are there will
>>be a real mess at the end.
>>The solution? A top-down one. A complete kitchen make-over. Everything is
>>done at once and evrything is compatible. The cost is defined, and
>>disruptions are limited to one period.
>>
>>A more relevant exampler for IT would be where a school decides to buy
>>individual pieces of hardware and software, when it suits. Each department
>>goes off and buys it own equipment and hardware. No-one follows an overall
>>plan. Soon we find we have a range of different hardware - some not
>>compatible. We may have duplication of software and hardware. Each
>>department has its own scanners, printers, colour printers and nothing has
>>been rationalised. Then someone decides it may be a good idea to network.
>>
>>This scenario was typical of some schools during the 80's.
>>
>>A far better idea would be to decide to have a networked solution with an
>>overall plan to ensure economies of scale, compatibility and a reduction in
>>duplication.
>>
>>Hope this helps as a starter.
>>
>>Geoff Moss
>>RMIT
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Murray O." <murrao at westbourne.vic.edu.au>
>>To: "IPM List" <ipm at fhc.vic.edu.au>
>>Sent: Monday, October 11, 2004 1:47 PM
>>Subject: top down, bottom up and middle out
>>
>>
>>
>>>I'm struggling to explain with examples the difference between top down,
>>>bottom up and middle out problem solving approaches. Can any one share
>>>some
>>>example that students grasp.
>>>
>>>Any comments on the answers
>>>To question 4 part 2
>>>
>>>ii A company embarks on an ad hoc system expansion. The final cost is
>>>not considered until the end of the project.
>>>Vitta: bottom up
>>>Me: middle out
>>>
>>>Thanks
>>>Oliver
>>>
>>>For Help, Subscribe,Unsubscribe, FAQ and more see
>>>http://www.fhc.vic.edu.au/lists
>>>Comments to k.krozian at fhc.vic.edu.au
>>>
>>
>>
>>For Help, Subscribe,Unsubscribe, FAQ and more see http://www.fhc.vic.edu.au/lists
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>
>
>
> ---
> Kim Gration
> ICT Manager
> Myrtleford Secondary College
> http://www.myrtlefordsc.vic.edu.au
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--
Mark Kelly
Manager - Information Systems
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria Australia
Phone +613 95780844 Fax +613 95789253
http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
IPM Lecture notes: http://vceit.com
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