SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

System Development & Org. Change

Information System building is a kind of planned organisational change. Four types of structural organisational change
Automation Rationalisation Reengineering and Paradigm shifts

HIGH

PARADIGM SHIFTS REENGINEERING

RATIONALISATION

AUTOMATION
LOW LOW

HIGH

 Automation:
Most common Assisting employees with performing their tasks more efficiently and effectively.

Rationalization of process:
Reveals new bottlenecks Streamlining the standard operating procedures

Business Process Reengineering

Business Process Reengineering (BPR):
Business process are analyzed, simplified and redesigned. Rethink and streamline business process

BPR is basically a fundamental of redesigning business processes so as to gain economy in performing the various business process. In BPR, unnecessary processes are eliminated and changing the process which are central.
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BPR : BUSINESS PROCESS REENGINEERING

BPR can be redefined as radical scrutiny, questioning, redefining, and redesigning of business processes with the aim of eliminating all activities not central to business goals.

The concept emerged from Japan, spread to USA and from USA, throughout the world.

Process of BPR
Developing business vision and process objectives. Identifying the process to be redesigned Measuring the performance of Existing Processes. Identifying the opportunity for applying Information Technology Building prototype of new process Structural Change Organizational Cultural Change
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 Paradigm shift:
Change its business model Involves rethinking the nature of business, defining a new business model and often changing the very nature of business
Ex. Music Industry, Photography, virtual banking etc.

BPR & Paradigm shift often fails because of extensive organisational change but still many organisations go for this because of high rewards, changing business environment
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SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES

Systems Development
The activities that go into producing an information system solution to an organizational problem or opportunity are called systems development. The activities consists of:
Systems Analysis System Design Programming Testing Conversion Production & Maintenance

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Systems Development Process 6 core activities

SYSTEMS ANALYSIS

SYSTEM DESIGN

PROGRAM -MING

TESTING

CONVERSION

PRODUCTION & MAINTENANCE

USUALLY IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER BUT SOME CAN BE REPEATED OR DONE SIMULTANEOUSLY

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Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis is the analysis of a problem that an organisation will try to solve with an information system. It consists of:
Defining the problem Identifying its causes Specifying the solution Identifying the information requirements
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Systems Analysis
- The preliminary investigation is a way of handling user's request to change, improve or enhance an existing system. - The objective is to determine whether the request is valid and feasible before any recommendation is made to do nothing, improve or modify the existing system. - System investigation includes following two subphases: (1) Problem Definition (2) Feasibility study
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Systems Analysis
Problem Definition - The first responsibility of the system analyst is to prepare a written statement of the objectives and scope of the problem - Proper understanding and definition of the problem is essential to discover the cause of the problem and to plan a directed investigation by asking questions like
What is being done? Why? Is there an underlying reason different from the one the user identified?
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Systems Analysis
Problem Definition - Some examples of problem definition (1) the existing system has a poor response time, i.e. It is slow (2) it is unable to handle the workload (3) the existing system is not economical (4) the problem of accuracy and reliability (5) the requisite information is not produced by the existing system (6) the problem of security
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Systems Analysis
Feasibility Study - this study is undertaken to know the likelihood of the the system being useful to the organisation - the aim of the study is to assess alternative system and to propose the most feasible and desirable system for development - the feasibility of a proposed system can be assessed in terms of four major categories: (1) Organisational feasibility (2) Economic feasibility (3) Technical feasibility (4) Operational feasibility
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Systems Analysis
Methods of preliminary investigation - Reviewing organisational documents - Conducting interviews The following format is suggestive: 1. Project title 2. Problem statement 3. Project objectives 4. preliminary ideas - possible solutions 5. Project scope - overall cost estimate 6. feasibility study
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Systems Analysis
Detailed study of the various operations of a business The objective is to determine what must be done to solve the problem System analyst most challenging task is to establish the information needs of the organisation and its end users -Who needs the information, where, when and how?
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System Design
System analysis describes WHAT a system should do to meet the information needs of users. System design specifies HOW the system will accomplish this objective. Its a blueprint of the system, consists of all the specifications that give the system its form and structure. System design targets following three activities : 1. user interface 2. data design 3. process design
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Completing the System Development Process

Now, the remaining steps:
to translate the specifications into fully operational information system.

It includes
Programming Testing Conversion Production and Maintenance
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Programming
Once the system specifications are understood, the system is physically created. The required programs are coded, debugged and documented Now-a-days, many organisation purchase the software that meets the requirements for a new system.

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Testing
Exhaustive and thorough testing is done to ascertain whether the system produces right results. The system should be tested with some test data to ensure its accuracy and reliability Test plan are made and following tests are done:
Unit testing: Testing each program System testing: Testing as a whole system Acceptance testing: Testing by users and reviewed by management.
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Conversion
Conversion is the process of changing from the old system to the new system. Four main conversion strategies:
Parallel strategy: Both old and new systems run parallel for some time. Direct Cutover: Replaces old system entirely with a new system on an appointed day. Pilot study: Introduces new system to only a limited area of the organisation. Phased approach: Introduces new system in stages

Detailed documentation (for both technical & user point of view) at each step is necessary for future reference and review.

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Production & Maintenance

Production After the new system is installed and conversion is complete, the system is in production stage. Outputs are reviewed by both technical persons and users. Post-implementation audit is also done.
Maintenance Involves monitoring, evaluating and modifying the system to make desirable and necessary improvements. It also includes enhancements, modifications or change from the original specifications.
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ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS-BUILDING APPROACHES

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ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS-BUILDING APPROACHES

Systems differ in Size, Technological complexity, in terms of Organizational problems they meant to solve. A number of systems-building approaches:
The traditional systems life cycle (Water-fall approach) Prototyping Application software packages End-user development and Outsourcing

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Traditional Systems Life Cycle

Oldest method for building IS. It is a phased approach, dividing systems development into formal stages. Emphasizes formal specifications and paperwork generating good documantations. Still used for building large complex systems, rigorous & formal requirements, predefined requirements etc. But it is costly, time consuming and inflexible
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Traditional Systems Life Cycle

Can go back and forth among stages in lifecycle but predominantely a waterfall approach. One stage is completed before next stage starts. Not suitable for less structure and more individualized systems.

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WATERFALL MODEL
SYSTEM ANALYSIS SYSTEM DESIGN

PROGRAMMING

TESTING

CONVERSION PRODUCTION & MAINTENANCE

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PROTOTYPING
Building an experimental system rapidly and inexpensively for end users to evaluate. The prototype is a working version of an information system or part of the system, as a preliminary model. Once designed is finalised, the prototype is converted into a final production system. It is an iterative process of systems development, steps can be repeated over and over again
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Steps in Prototyping
Step 1: Identify the users basic requirements Step 2: Develop an initial prototype
Step 3: Use the prototype. Step 4: Revise and enhance the prototype
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STEP 1

Identify basic requirements

STEP 2

Develop a working prototype

STEP 3

Use the prototype

YES

NO

User satisfied

STEP 4 Revise & enhance the prototype

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Operational prototype

Advantages and disadvantages

Most useful when some uncertainty about requirements Encourages intense users involvement. More likely to fulfill users requirements But may miss out some essential steps in systems development. Less structured and documentation . May not accommodate large quantities data.
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End-User Development
A series of fourth-generation languages makes it possible to develop systems by users with little or no formal assistance from technical specialists. 4th Generation languages are software tools that enable end-users to create reports or develop software applications with minimal or no technical assistance.
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 Less procedural than conventional languages

4th Gen Tool Description Example

Fourth-Generation Languages
General purpose application software packages for PCs
For retrieving data stored in databases or files Extract data from files/database to create customise reports For display data in graphic format

PC Software tools
Query Language Report Generator Graphics language

Microsoft Access, Word

SQL Oriented toward end-user

Crystal Reports SAS Graph, Systat

Application generator
Application software package Very high-level programming lang.

Contain programme modules that FOCUS generate entire applications, webpage etc. Microsoft FrontPage
Software programs sold or leased by commercial vendors, eliminating the need for custom-written, in-house software Generate program code with fewer instructions than conventional language Oracle Peoplesoft HCM, mySAP ERP APL, Normad2 Oriented toward IS 35 professional

Application Software Packages & Outsourcing

Today, most systems are not developed in-house but purchased from external sources. Firms can rent the software from service provider Purchase a software from vendors Custom application developed by an outside outsourcing firm. Many packages like payroll, inventory control, accounts receivable etc.
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RAD Rapid Application Development

Organisation need to be able to add, change and delete their technology capabilities very rapidly to respond to new opportunities because of digitalised and volatile business environment. Object-oriented software tools, reusable software, prototyping, and fourth-generation language tools are helping in this. The process to create workable systems in a very short period of time is described as RAD
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