The Challenge: A Community Bridging Two Centuries
SPJST is a Texas-based fraternal organization with a rich, 125-year history of preserving Czech culture. While their mission was strong, their internal processes were manual and fragmented, making it difficult to engage members, organize events, and manage their 78 lodges efficiently across the state. They needed a way to bring their operations into the 21st century.
My Role & The Solution
As part of a five-person team, my role was Meeting Facilitator and Systems Analyst. I was responsible for keeping our team on track, defining the project’s scope, and translating the organization’s needs into a clear technical blueprint.
Our solution was a two-part system: an integrated backend to automate management tasks and a user-friendly mobile application to boost community engagement.
The Blueprint: Designing the System
To ensure we built the right solution, I helped lead the analysis and design phase. This involved creating a complete technical blueprint that defined how the system would work, from the top down.
1. Data Flow & System Architecture (DFD)
We started by mapping out every process, from creating an event to generating a report. The Data Flow Diagram (DFD) was crucial for visualizing how information would move through the system between administrators, lodge leaders, and members, ensuring no detail was missed.
2. Database Design (ERD)
Next, we designed the heart of the system: the database. I helped create the Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD), which defines how all the data—like users, events, lodges, and scholarships—is stored and interconnected. A well-designed database is the foundation of a stable and scalable application.
3. User Experience & Interface (UI)
Finally, we designed the front-end experience. We created clean, intuitive mockups for the mobile app, ensuring that it would be easy for all members, regardless of their technical skill level, to register for events, view reports, and connect with their community.
Project Outcome
The result of our work was a comprehensive system proposal and a clear implementation plan. We provided SPJST with a complete blueprint to build a modern, scalable system that would reduce manual work, improve communication, and help them carry their vibrant cultural mission into the future. This project solidified my skills in systems analysis, database design, and translating complex business needs into actionable technical requirements.