• Types of transaction – this includes the number of input and output characters required with each type.



  • Transaction priorities – some transactions are of greater priority than others (e.g., customer orders are more important than routine housekeeping transactions). It may be decided than non-essential transactions can be prohibited during peak load times.



  • Keying times for transactions – it is likely that this will determine the number of terminals required as the keying in speed of users is likely to be the limiting factor for data entry rather than restrictions on electronic signals.



  • Activity patterns – what are the busy times of day, are there particular weeks or months that are busy, etc.?



  • Future trends – the designer will have to predict any future growth including growth in particular transaction types. The growth must be allowed for in the system rather than trying to continually expanding the system.