Information Systems Analysis and Design

• This course introduces the skills in analysis and design of information systems.
• The course includes discussion on structured and object-oriented analysis and design.
• It also involves the use of modeling tools and methodological life-cycle adherence, as well as project management standards.

System Concept

• A system comprises an interrelated set of components that work together to achieve an outcome.
• Examples include computers, smartphones, universities, and the human body.

Elements of a System

• Purpose: The reason the system exists or the benchmark for measuring its success.
• Subsystems: Parts or elements performing specified tasks compatible with the larger system's goals.
• Environment: The external factors including people, facilities, rules, policies, and regulations surrounding the system.
• Boundary: The perimeter or line separating the system from its environment.
• Connections: Mechanisms that transmit the flow of material and information, coordinating the system's components.
• Control Mechanisms: The rules and logic governing individual subsystems and their interactions.

Types of Systems

• Business system: a collection of policies, procedures, methods, people, machines, and other elements interacting to enable the organization to achieve its goals
• Information system: a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and output the information needed to complete a business task.
• Components include work practice, information, people, and information technology.
• Information system is needed because of the growing size of organizations and the number of competitors.
• Other factors increasing the need for information systems are the ability of computers to process large data at great speed, dramatic increase in data volumes, advances in communication technology, increase in business transactions, and much more sophisticated technology overall.

People in IS Development

• System Sponsors/Owners: pay for the system to be built and operated and set the vision and priorities.
• They view information in terms of costs and benefits to solve problems.
• System Users/End Users: use the system on a regular basis and support the operation and management of the organization.
• They define the business requirements and expectations for the system.
• System Analyst: technical specialists that translate the business requirements into a feasible technical solution, and determine the requirements that an information system needs to meet.
• The System Analyst views an information system in terms of a design blueprint.
• System Builders: technical specialists who build, test, and deliver the information system.
• They view an information system in terms of the actual working hardware and software needed to implement the system.

Roles of a System Analyst

• Consultant: acts as a consultant to a business and is hired to address specific information systems issues.
• Supporting Expert: draws on professional expertise concerning computer hardware and software and their uses, serving as a resource.
• Agent of Change: serves as a catalyst for change, develops a plan for change, and works with others to facilitate change.

Qualities of a System Analyst

• Problem Solver: views the analysis of problems as a challenge and enjoys devising workable solutions.
• Communicator: capable of relating meaningfully to other people, understands the capabilities of computers, gleans information requirements from users, and communicates what is needed to programmers.
• Strong Personal and Professional Ethics: they need to shape their client relationships.
• Self-Disciplined and Self-Motivated: must be able to coordinate people as well as project resources

Required Skills of a System Analyst

• Technical Knowledge and Skills: it is crucial to have an understanding of different types of technology and how they are used.
  • Understanding computers and how they work.
  • Understanding Devices that interact with computers
  • Understanding Communications networks that connect computers.
  • Understanding Databases, database management systems, programming languages, operating systems and utilities.
  • Using Software packages such as Microsoft Access to develop systems.
  • Using Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) for specific programming languages.
  • Using Computer-aided system engineering (CASE) tools.
  • Using Program code generators, testing tools, configuration management tools, software library management tools, and documentation/ project management support tools.
• Business Knowledge and Skills: need to understand business organizations, the type of organization they work for, and an understanding of specialized industries.
  • Understanding the specific organization and what it does.
  • Understanding what makes the organization successful, its strategies and plans, and its traditions and values.
• People Knowledge and Skills: must understand many interpersonal skills and work with other people, understand perspectives on the problems.

Types of Systems

• Transaction Processing System (TPS): Processes large amounts of data for routine business transactions, and supports day-to-day operations.
  • Examples: Payroll Processing, Inventory Management.
• Office Automation System (OAS): Supports data workers who analyze information to transform or manipulate data before sharing.
  • Examples: Word processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, electronic scheduling, communication through voice mail, email, and teleconferencing.
• Knowledge Work System (KWS): Supports professional workers such as scientists, engineers, and doctors, to create new knowledge and contribute it to the organization or society
  • Examples: CAD (Computer Aided Design), Virtual Reality, Investment workstations.
• Management Information System (MIS): Supports management functions, including decision analysis and decision making.
  • Uses a database with data and models for user interpretation and application in decision making.
  • Examples: Profit margin by sales region, expenses vs. budgets.
• Decision Support System (DSS): Supports decision making in all phases.
  • Tailored to the person or group using the system.
  • Examples: financial planning with what-if analysis, budgeting with modeling.
• Expert System (ES) and Artificial Intelligence: Uses AI reasoning to solve problems and select the best solution to a problem or a specific class of problems.
  • Captures and uses the knowledge of an expert for solving problems.
  • Includes researching understanding natural language and the ability to reason through problems logically.
  • Components include a knowledge base and an inference engine.
• Executive Support System (ESS): Helps executives make decisions at the strategic level using graphics and communication support technologies.
  • Addresses unstructured decision problems.
  • Examples: Drill-down analysis and status access.
• Group Decision Support System (GDSS): Aids in group collaboration using electronic support such as polling and brainstorming.
  • Minimizes negative group behaviors.
  • Examples: Email functions and collaborative cloud services applications.
• Computer-Supported Collaborative Work System (CSCWS): A more general term of GDSS that includes software support called groupware for team collaboration via network computers.
  • Examples: Video conferencing, Web survey systems, and collaborative cloud services applications.
  • Systems can be organized according to organizational level (Operational Level, Knowledge Level, Higher Level, Strategic Level.)