Four types of information systems:
 Transaction Processing Systems (TPS) Prototyping – Build a scaled-down working version
 Management Information Systems (MIS)
 Decision Support Systems (DSS)
 Expert Systems (ES)
Systems development life cycle (SDLC)
 Central to Information Systems Development
Systems Analysis is a proven method to help business utilize
information to its fullest
Information Systems Analysis and Design is a method used
by the company to create and maintain systems.
Systems Analyst performs analysis and design based upon:
 Understanding of organization’s objectives, structure
and processes
 Knowledge of how to exploit information technology
for advantage
System: Turns data into information and includes:
 Hardware and system software
 Documentation and training materials
 Job roles associated with the system
 Controls to prevent theft or fraud
 The people who use the software to perform their
jobs
Methodologies - A sequence of step-by-step approaches that
help develop the information system
Techniques - Processes that the analyst follows to ensure
thorough, complete and comprehensive analysis and design
Tools - Computer programs that aid in applying techniques
A system is an interrelated set of business procedures used
within one business unit working together for a purpose
A boundary separates a system from its environment.
Characteristics of a system
Components Interfaces
Interrelated Components Constraints
Boundary Input
Purpose Output
Environment
Decomposition -The process of breaking down a system into
smaller components.
Modularity - Process of dividing a system into modules of a
relatively uniform size
Coupling - Subsystems that are dependent upon each other
are coupled
Cohesion - Extent to which a subsystem performs a single
function
Systems Integration - Allows hardware and software from
different vendors to work together
3 key components of information system
DATA – DATA FLOWS – PROCESSING LOGIC
Data – raw facts
Information – derived from data
Data Flows – Groups of data
Process-Oriented Approach – Focus is on flow
Data-Oriented Approach – Depicts ideal organization of data
Database – collection of data
Application independence – Separation of data from
applications
Analytical – understanding organizations / Prob. solving
Technical – understanding potential and limitations.
Managerial – Ability to manage projects, resources, risk
Interpersonal – effective written and oral com. Skills
Transaction Processing Systems (TPS) – automate handling of
data about business activities.
Management Information Systems (MIS) – converts raw data
from transaction processing system.
Decision Support Systems (DSS) – Design to help decision
makers.
Expert Systems (ES) – replicates decision-making process.
Logical Design - Concentrates on business aspects of the
system
Physical Design -Technical specifications
Rapid Application Development (RAD) – Utilizes Prototyping
to delay producing system.
Joint Application Design (JAD) – users, managers, and analyst
work together for several days.
Project Management is the process of planning and
controlling system development
Project is a set of activities with a specifies beginning
Project Managers monitor and control all tasks
Tangible Value – can be quantified and measured
Intangible Value – it will add value and save time
System Request – document that describes the new system
Project sponsor – primary point of contact for the proj.
Business need – the reason prompting the project
Business requirements – what the system should do
Business Value – how will the organization benefit
Special issues – anything else should considered
Technical Feasibility – identify risk functional, technology,
project size, compatibility
Economic Feasibility – identify the cost and benefits
Organizational Feasibility – will user accept the system
Project selection – project are approved, declined or delayed
based on value added vs risk.
Workplan – a dynamic and sequential list of all tasks needed
Scope “ Creep” – occurs after the project is underway
Requirement – what the system must do
Functional – relates to a process or data
Non-Functional - relates to performance or usability
Operational – should be able to fit in a pocket or purse
Performance – interaction between user and system
Security – direct manager can see personnel records
Cultural & Political – System should distinguish
Strategies for analyzing requirements
 Business Process Analysis (BPA)
o Least amount of change
 Business Process Improvement (BPI)
o Moderate amount of change
 Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
o Most amount of change
Techniques for identifying requirements
 Interviews, questionnaires and/or observation
 Joint application development (JAD)
 Document analysis
Techniques
Problem Analysis – ask users to identify problem
Root cause analysis – Focus is on the cause of a problem
Duration analysis – determine the time required to complete
each step
Process is used to uncover all requirements
Types of questions
 Closed-ended
 Open-ended
 Probing
Joint application development (JAD) – joint user-analyst
meeting hosted by facilitator
Questionnaires – set of written questions paper based or
electronic
 Select the participants
 Designing the questionnaire
 Administering the questionnaire
 Questionnaire follow-up
Document analysis – provide information about “as-is”
Observation – checks validity of information gathered