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Questions and Answers
What does the term 'BIS acquisition' describe?
What does the term 'BIS acquisition' describe?
The method of obtaining an information system for a business.
What are the three main choices for acquiring BIS?
What are the three main choices for acquiring BIS?
What is the SDLC?
What is the SDLC?
The systems development lifecycle.
What are the typical stages of the SDLC?
What are the typical stages of the SDLC?
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What are the three main methods for acquiring information systems?
What are the three main methods for acquiring information systems?
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Bespoke development is generally considered the most expensive way of developing information systems.
Bespoke development is generally considered the most expensive way of developing information systems.
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What is the major benefit of off-the-shelf software packages?
What is the major benefit of off-the-shelf software packages?
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What is the primary difference between bespoke development and off-the-shelf software acquisition?
What is the primary difference between bespoke development and off-the-shelf software acquisition?
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What are the three critical factors that influence the choice of acquisition method?
What are the three critical factors that influence the choice of acquisition method?
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The SDLC approach recognizes that systems are developed in a series of steps or phases and that each phase must be completed before the next one begins.
The SDLC approach recognizes that systems are developed in a series of steps or phases and that each phase must be completed before the next one begins.
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What is the purpose of the initiation phase?
What is the purpose of the initiation phase?
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What is the primary purpose of the feasibility study?
What is the primary purpose of the feasibility study?
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What are the three main feasibility criteria that are usually cited?
What are the three main feasibility criteria that are usually cited?
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What is the purpose of systems analysis?
What is the purpose of systems analysis?
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The systems design phase is a broad scope that encompasses choosing a database management system, establishing general systems security standards, and determining data storage requirements.
The systems design phase is a broad scope that encompasses choosing a database management system, establishing general systems security standards, and determining data storage requirements.
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What is the primary activity of the system build phase?
What is the primary activity of the system build phase?
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What is the purpose of system implementation?
What is the purpose of system implementation?
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What is the primary function of the maintenance phase?
What is the primary function of the maintenance phase?
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The RAD approach involves using prototyping to involve users and increase development speed.
The RAD approach involves using prototyping to involve users and increase development speed.
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What is the primary advantage of using prototyping in the systems development lifecycle?
What is the primary advantage of using prototyping in the systems development lifecycle?
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The traditional SDLC model was primarily designed for systems that are being acquired using a bespoke development approach.
The traditional SDLC model was primarily designed for systems that are being acquired using a bespoke development approach.
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A 'make' decision in the SDLC for packaged software indicates that a bespoke solution is probably required.
A 'make' decision in the SDLC for packaged software indicates that a bespoke solution is probably required.
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What is the primary focus of the analysis phase for packaged software?
What is the primary focus of the analysis phase for packaged software?
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The design phase for packaged software is generally less complex than for bespoke software development.
The design phase for packaged software is generally less complex than for bespoke software development.
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What is the main objective of the build phase for packaged software?
What is the main objective of the build phase for packaged software?
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User-developed software applications are typically designed for a much larger scale than bespoke software applications.
User-developed software applications are typically designed for a much larger scale than bespoke software applications.
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What is the first step involved in the SDLC for user-developed software?
What is the first step involved in the SDLC for user-developed software?
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One of the major benefits of user-developed software is that end-users do not need to present information system requirements to an IS/IT specialist for subsequent development.
One of the major benefits of user-developed software is that end-users do not need to present information system requirements to an IS/IT specialist for subsequent development.
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User-developed software tends to be developed using a more formal design approach than bespoke software.
User-developed software tends to be developed using a more formal design approach than bespoke software.
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The maintenance of user-developed software is generally considered less problematic than for other forms of software acquisition.
The maintenance of user-developed software is generally considered less problematic than for other forms of software acquisition.
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Study Notes
Business Information Systems - Chapter 7
- The sixth edition of the Business Information Systems textbook by Paul Bocij, Andrew Greasley, and Simon Hickie covers technology, development, and management for modern business.
- Chapter 7 introduces acquiring and developing Business Information Systems (BIS).
- Learning Objectives (LOs) outline key aspects:
- Introduction to BIS acquisition.
- Methods and reasons for acquiring information systems.
- Software acquisition and the Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
- Rapid Application Development (RAD) and Prototyping.
- Purchasing off-the-shelf packages.
- User-developed applications.
1.1 BIS Acquisition
- BIS acquisition describes the process of obtaining an information system for a business.
- This involves evaluation and implementation of the BIS.
- Main choices for BIS acquisition include:
- Off-the-shelf (packaged) software.
- Bespoke (tailor-made) applications.
- Systems developed by end-users (non-IT professionals).
- In-house or outsourced bespoke development.
1.2 Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Information systems projects generally follow a logical series of development phases known as the SDLC.
1.3 SDLC Stages
- Common SDLC stages in BIS projects are:
- Initiation
- Feasibility study
- Business requirements analysis
- Systems design
- System build and implementation
- Review and maintenance
2. Methods for Acquiring Information Systems
-
Part I of Learning Objective 2 details acquisition methods:
- Bespoke (custom) development
- Purchasing off-the-shelf software
- User-developed software
- Hybrid acquisition approaches
-
Part II explores factors influencing software acquisition:
- Time, cost and quality
-
Three main acquisition methods are:
- Bespoke development (custom)
- Off-the-shelf package software
- End-user development
-
Figure 7.2 (p. 251) summarizes these alternatives.
2.1 Bespoke Development
- Bespoke development involves creating a system from scratch.
- The development team can be in-house or outsourced (done by a software house).
- Benefits include tailoring to precise business needs and potentially giving a competitive edge if competitors do not have similar software solutions.
- Drawbacks include higher cost and potential longer development times (often with delays), and possible issues with quality control.
2.2 Purchasing Off-the-shelf Software
- Off-the-shelf software represents pre-written applications used by multiple companies.
- Disadvantages include potential incompatibility with existing business processes and a lack of specific features.
- Advantages include lower cost compared to bespoke solutions and usually faster delivery.
2.3 User-developed Software
- User-developed software is created by non-IT professionals (business users).
- Features are more limited in terms of scope (often departmental or personal), and usually focus on output/reports rather than input.
- Can be developed in-house by IT or end-users.
2.4 Hybrid Approaches to Systems Acquisition
- Not mutually exclusive to a project
- Generically needed software can be purchased (like office productivity packages)
- Where competitive advantage is needed, bespoke solutions might be necessary.
3. Software Acquisition and the SDLC
- Chapter 3 explores how the SDLC applies to software acquisition.
- Initiation: The startup phase used to evaluate project feasibility.
- Feasibility assessment: Analysis of the project's viability regarding technical, economic and operational aspects.
- Systems analysis: To gather business requirements from users and external sources.
- System design: Details the technical aspects including choosing database management system (DBMS) and security standards, also screen design, data capture and storage requirements.
- System build: Code implementation and testing by developers, programmers, and end-users.
- System implementation and changeover: Testing, staff education, and transition from the old to the new.
- Review and maintenance: involves fixing errors and introducing enhancements.
4. Rapid Application Development (RAD) and Prototyping
- Evidence from project failures implies that some traditional methods such as SDLC can result in late or inappropriate system delivery. Advantages of RAD over traditional methods:
- Better understanding between users and developers. More time-friendly development. Closely matches user needs because the time-frame is shorter
- Disadvantages of RAD: User involvement may be difficult to manage
- Benefits of Prototyping:
- End-users can interact with prototypes.
- Iterative design.
- Easier to address technical and design constraints upfront.
- Easier to gain buy-in by stakeholders
5. Purchase of an Off-the-shelf Package
- The SDLC applies to packaged software acquisition, albeit with modifications. •Initiation •Feasibility •Analysis •Design •Build •Implementation •Maintenance and review.
6. User-Developed Applications
- User-developed applications are created by non-IT professionals (business users).
- User-developed applications are often smaller in scope than large corporate applications and follow similar steps to bespoke development.
Learning Objective 6: User-Developed Applications
- What is a user-developed application? Explain the types and main characteristics.
- How the SDLC applies to user-developed software; step-by-step process.
- Initiation: identifying need.
- Feasibility: ensure tools are available and cost is reasonable.
- Analysis: user inputs, requirements, and technical aspects.
- Design: focusing on usability for end-users (like trial and error design).
- Build: generating required software.
- Implementation: transition to using the new system.
- Maintenance and review: ongoing upkeep and improvements.
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Description
Explore the essentials of acquiring and developing Business Information Systems in Chapter 7 of the sixth edition textbook. This chapter covers methodologies for BIS acquisition, including software options, the Systems Development Lifecycle, and user-developed applications. Enhance your understanding of the processes involved in evaluating and implementing effective information systems for modern businesses.
