project-proposal-2025

Tissue Tracker

Abstract

Have you ever experienced not storing enough tissue and toilet paper before Cyclone Alfred? Ever gone to Woolworths store after store only to find the toilet paper shelves empty?

Tissue Tracker is a supermarket stock checker designed to help users check toilet paper stock levels in Woolworths supermarkets across Australia. Inspired by the toilet paper supply issues exposed during Cyclone Alfred, Tissue Tracker reduces unnecessary supermarket visits and optimises the shopping experience for customers.

Author

Name: Jiajun Che

Student number: 46921112

Functionality

Tissue Tracker will provide the following functions:

1. User Registration
   New users register using their email. After successful registration, users set their password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to ensure account security.

2. Real-time stock checking
   Users enter their address into the main interface search field to check the real-time stock of toilet paper at nearby Woolworths stores. The system will also suggest the nearest Woolworths store that currently has toilet paper in stock.
   The stock result displays current stock status clearly:
   • Sufficient
   • Low Stock
   • Sold Out

3. Inventory notification service
   Users can set inventory alerts; for example, automatic email alerts are sent when toilet paper stock falls below 100 packs in a specified store. Notifications provide detailed stock information and store location, helping users shop promptly.

4. Back-office inventory management (for staff)
   A backend interface allows supermarket staff to quickly input and update daily inventory quantities. It also includes inventory trend analysis to assist Woolworths management in planning optimal stock replenishment schedules.

Scope

The Minimum Viable Product (MVP) will include the following fundamental features:

• User registration, login, and two-factor authentication
• Basic stock query functionality: Users input a Woolworths store location to view real-time toilet paper inventory
• Basic inventory reminder notification service
• Backend interface for staff inventory data entry and management

Quality Attributes

Modularity

Modularity is the primary quality attribute of Tissue Tracker. The software architecture will clearly define independent functional modules such as inventory management, user registration, and notification systems to ensure low coupling between modules. This design allows independent module development, significantly reducing complexity. Modular design also facilitates individual component testing and deployment, enhancing overall system stability.

Extensibility

Extensibility ensures Tissue Tracker can adapt efficiently to evolving future requirements, such as adding new product types, alternative notification methods, or advanced AI analytical tools. Clear, standardised interfaces will allow developers to add new functionalities without significant refactoring, supporting long-term maintainability and adaptability.

Scalability

Scalability is critical, particularly in high-demand situations like Cyclone Alfred. Tissue Tracker will efficiently handle a high volume of concurrent user requests, maintaining fast response times. The system architecture will employ horizontal scaling to increase server instances and vertical scaling to enhance database performance, ensuring smooth user experiences during peak demand.

Evaluation

Modularity

• Code Coupling Analysis: Use static analysis tools like SonarQube to measure module independence. Ensure that module independence exceeds 85%, signifying low coupling.
• Functional Independence Testing: Update or replace a specific module and test whether the change affects other modules. Successful modularity means changes in one module do not adversely impact overall system stability or functionality.

Scalability

• Concurrent Request Response Test: Use load-testing tools such as JMeter or K6 to simulate a high number of concurrent user requests reflecting realistic user patterns. Performance criteria require that 95% of requests receive responses within one second under simulated peak load conditions.

Extensibility

• Expansion Test: Implement a test case by adding a new product type inventory query feature. Record development effort and difficulty from initiation through deployment. The criterion for success is completing this new feature within a few workdays without altering the core system structure, demonstrating ease of extensibility.