ITC 2374 - Chapter 1 - 2024.pdf

Prof. (Mrs.) Champa Hewagamage Department of Information Technology Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce University of Sri Jayewardenepura  Course Objectives To gain knowledge about the context of information systems development. To learn about the methodologies, techn...

Prof. (Mrs.) Champa Hewagamage Department of Information Technology Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce University of Sri Jayewardenepura  Course Objectives To gain knowledge about the context of information systems development. To learn about the methodologies, techniques and tools for analyzing business problems, specifying business requirements for an information system and proposing a business and system solution. To study regarding the system designing approaches, techniques and tools in developing information systems.  Chapter 1: The Context of Information Systems Development  Chapter 1: The Context of Information Systems Development Content: Define information system and name seven types of information system applications. Identify different types of stakeholders who use or develop information systems, and give examples of each. Define the unique role of systems analysts in the development of information systems. Identify those skills needed to successfully function as an information system analyst. Describe current business drivers that influence information systems development. Describe current technology drivers that influence information systems development. Briefly describe a simple process for developing information systems. A Framework for Information Systems Development  An Information System A system is a group of interrelated components that function together to achieve a desired result. An information system (IS) is an arrangement of people, data, processes, and information technology that interact to collect, process, store, and provide as output the information needed to support an organization. Information technology is a contemporary term that describes the combination of computer technology (hardware and software) with telecommunications technology (data, image, and voice networks).  Extra – A System Furniture Manufacturing System Information System Input Processing Output Input Processing Output (Wood) (Chairs) (Data) (Information) People People Technology Information (Machines) Technology Data (Raw facts) Marks : Information Process IT  90 HRM  60 Grade (Calculate) GPA value Finance  75  Classification of Information Systems (1) A transaction processing system (TPS) is an information system that captures and processes data about business transactions. A management information system (MIS) is an information system that provides for management-oriented reporting based on transaction processing and operations of the organization. A decision support system (DSS) is an information system that either helps to identify decision making opportunities or provides information to help make decisions.  Classification of Information Systems (2) An executive information system is an information system that supports the planning and assessment needs of executive managers. An expert system is an information system that captures the expertise of workers and then simulates that expertise to the benefit of nonexperts. Classification of Information Systems (3) A communications and collaboration system is an information system that enables more effective communications between workers, partners, customers, and suppliers to enhance their ability to collaborate. An office automation system is an information system that supports the wide range of business office activities that provide for improved work flow between workers. Stakeholders: Players in the Systems A stakeholder is any person who has an interest in an existing or proposed information system. Stakeholders can be technical or nontechnical workers. Other synonyms for the stakeholders “Information Workers”. Stakeholders includes, Systems owners Systems users Systems designers Systems builders Systems analysts Project manager  System Owners System owners – an information system’s sponsor and executive advocate, usually responsible for funding the project of developing, operating, and maintaining the information system.  System Users System users – a “customer” who use or is affected by an information system on a regular basis – capturing, validating, entering, responding to, storing, and exchanging data and information. Internal users Clerical and service workers Technical and professional staff Supervisors, middle managers, and executive managers External users Customers Suppliers Partners Employees System Designers System designer – a technical specialist who translates system users’ business requirements and constraints into technical solution. She or he designs the computer databases, inputs, outputs, screens, networks, and software that will meet the system users’ requirements. Examples: Database Administrator Network Architects Web Architects Graphic Artists System Builders System builders – a technical specialist who constructs information systems and components based on the design specifications generated by the system designers. Examples: Applications programmers Systems programmers Database programmers Network Administrators Webmasters  Systems Analysts (1) Definition for Systems Analyst – a specialist who studies the problems and needs of an organization to determine how people, data, processes, and information technology can best accomplish improvements for the business. Other synonyms for “Systems analyst” Systems consultant, business analyst, systems architect, systems engineer, information engineer, information analyst or systems integrator. Systems Analysts (2) The systems analyst serves as a facilitator or coach, bridging the communications gap that can naturally develop between the non- technical system owners and users and the technical system designers and builders. For the system owners and users, systems analysts identify and validate business problems and needs. For the system designers and builders, systems analysts ensure that the technical solution fulfills the business needs an integrate the technical solution into the business. Skills Needed by the Systems Analyst Working knowledge of information technology Computer programming experience and expertise General business knowledge General problem-solving skills Good interpersonal communication skills Good interpersonal relations skills Flexibility and adaptability Character and ethics Computer Ethics for Systems Analysts 1. Not to use a computer to harm other people. 2. Not to interfere with other people’s computer work. 3. Not to snoop around in other people’s computer files. 4. Not to use a computer to steal. 5. Not to use a computer to bear false witness. 6. Not to copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid. 7. Not to use other people’s computer resources without authorization or proper compensation. 8. Not to use inappropriate way of other people’s intellectual property. 9. Do think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing. 10. Do always use a computer in ways that insure consideration and respect for your fellow human Source: Computer Ethics Institute  Project Manager A team to successfully build information systems and applications, consists of system owners, users, designers, builders and analysts. This team requires the leadership to ensure that systems are developed on time, within budget and with acceptable quality. The leader of such a team is introduced as a “Project Manager”. Project Manager – an experienced professional who accepts responsibility for planning, monitoring, and controlling projects with respect to schedule, budget, deliverables, customer satisfaction, technical standards, and system quality.  Business Drivers for Today’s Information Systems (1) 1. Globalization of the Economy 2. Electronic Commerce and Electronic Business 3. Security and Privacy 4. Collaboration and Partnership 5. Knowledge Asset Management 6. Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) 7. Total Quality Management (TQM)  1. Globalization of the Economy Global Economy brings New and expanded international markets New international competitors Impact on information systems Information systems and computer applications must be internationalized. Require support of multiple languages, currency exchange rates, business cultures Demand for players who can communicate, orally and in writing, with management and users that speak different languages  2. Electronic Commerce and Electronic Business E-Commerce – the buying and selling of goods and services by using the Internet. E-Business – the use of the Internet to conduct and support day-to-day business activities. Types of e-commerce and e-business Marketing of corporate image, products, and services Business-to-consumer (B2C) Business-to-business (B2B) Impact on information systems Most new information systems are being designed for an Internet (or intranet) architecture An Electronic Commerce Storefront  3. Security and Privacy Security & Privacy Consumer demands for security & privacy in e- commerce transactions Impact on information systems Need to incorporate stringent security and privacy controls, when developing the IS.  4. Collaboration and Partnership Organizations seek to break down the walls that separate organizational departments and functions. It can be created the cross-functional team & then collaborate to address common business goals Organizations collaborate with outside business partners and even competitors. 5. Knowledge Asset Management Data – raw facts about people, places, events, and things that are of importance in an organization. Information – data that has been processed or reorganized into a more meaningful form for someone. Knowledge – data and information that is further refined based on the facts, truths, beliefs, judgments, experiences and expertise of the recipient. Knowledge Asset Management Recognizes that data, information, and knowledge are critical business resources  6. Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Business Processes – A business process is a collection of tasks or activities. Continuous process improvement (CPI) – The continuous monitoring of business processes to effect small but measurable improvements in cost reduction and value added. Extra Ex: Furniture Manufacturing System. Manufacturing Input Output Process Raw materials (Chairs) (Wood) Activities of Manufacturing Process: Cutting wood Smoothing Drilling Fixing Polishing Using brush manually or Using spray Gun 7. Total Quality Management (TQM) Business have learned that quality has become a critical success factor in competition. Total quality management (TQM) – a comprehensive approach to facilitating quality improvements and management within a business. Steps in TQM: Identify quality indicators Measure quality Make appropriate changes to improve quality. Technology Drivers for Today’s Information Systems Networks and the Internet Mobile and Wireless Technologies Object Technologies Collaborative Technologies  Networks and the Internet Networks include mainframe computers, network servers, and a variety of desktop, laptop, and handheld client computers. The most pervasive networking technologies are based on the Internet. xHTML and XML Scripting languages Web-specific programming languages Intranets Extranets Portals Web services  Mobile and Wireless Technologies Some mobile and wireless technologies: PDAs Smart phones Bluetooth Wireless networking Impact on information systems Wireless connectivity must be assumed Limitations of mobile devices and screen sizes must be accommodated in an information system’s design  Object Technologies Object technology – a software technology that defines a system in terms of objects that consolidate data and behavior (into objects). Objects are reusable Objects are extensible Object-oriented programming languages include C++, java, Smalltalk, and Visual Basic.net Object-oriented analysis and design – a collection of tools and techniques for systems development that will utilize object technologies to construct a system and its software. Extra An Object: An Object can be considered as a ‘thing’ that containing data and methods. (Those methods can perform a set of activities which can define the objects behavior.) Student Object Name : Lal Address : Galle Data B’day : 1990-01-22 GPA : 2.8 calculateAge() setClass() Methods  Collaborative Technologies Collaborative technologies are those that enhance interpersonal communications and teamwork. Some important collaborative technologies: E-mail Instant messaging Groupware A Simple System Development Process System development process – a set of activities, methods, best practices, deliverables, and automated tools that stakeholders use to develop and maintain information systems and software. A general problem-solving approach 1. Identify the problem. 2. Analyze and understand the problem. 3. Identify solution requirements or expectations. 4. Identify alternative solutions and choose the “best” course of action. 5. Design the chosen solution. 6. Implement the chosen solution. 7. Evaluate the results. If the problem is not solved, return to step 1 or 2 as appropriate. Systems Development and Problem Solving Simplified System General Problem-Solving Steps Development Process System Initiation 1. Identify the problem. (Also plan for the solution of the Problem.) 2. Analyze and understand the problem. System Analysis 3. Identify solution requirements and expectations 4. Identify alternative solutions and System Design choose the best course of action. 5. Design the chosen solution. System Implementation 6. Implement the chosen solution. 7. Evaluate the results. (If the problem is not solved, return to step 1 or 2 as appropriate.) System Development Process Overview Main phases in System Development Process: System initiation – the initial planning for a project to define initial business scope, goals, schedule, and budget. System analysis – the study of a business problem domain to recommend improvements and specify the business requirements and priorities for the solution. System design – the specification or construction of a technical, computer-based solution for the business requirements identified in a system analysis. System implementation – the construction, installation, testing, and delivery of a system into operation.