CIS413

Users

(end-users) inside and outside the company who will interact with the system, and IT staff members, such as systems analyst, programmers, and network administrators, who develop and support the system.

Network diagram

A PERT chart also is referred to as a network diagram.

Help Desk

A centralized resource staffed by IT professionals that provides users with the support they need to do their jobs. A help desk has three main objectives: to show people how to use system resources more effectively, to provide answers to technical or operational questions, and to make users more productive by teaching them how to meet their own information needs. Also called service desk or information center.

B2B (Business-to-Business)

A commercial exchange between businesses, typically enabled by the Internet or electronic means.

Service-oriented

A company that primarily offers information or services or sells goods produced by others.

Management Information Systems (MIS)

A computer-based information system used in business planning, control, decision making, and problem solving.

Certification

A credential an individual earns by demonstrating a certain level of knowledge and skill on a standardized test.

Blockchain

A distributed ledger system. The technology underlying Bitcoin.

Mission Statement

A document or statement that describes the company for its stakeholders and briefly states the company's overall purpose, products, services, and values.

System Requirements Document

A document that contains the requirements for the new system, describes the alternatives that were considered, and makes a specific recommendation to management. It is the end product of the systems analysis phase.

System Design Specification

A document that presents the complete design for the new information system, along with detailed costs, staffing, and scheduling for completing the next SDLC phase, systems implementation. Also called the technical design specification or the detailed design specification.

Systems Request

A formal appeal to the IT department that describes problems or desired changes in an information system or business process. It might propose enhancements for an existing system, the correction of problems, or the development of an entirely new system.

Systems Request

A formal way of asking for IT support.

Computer Resources Committee

A group of key managers and users responsible for evaluating systems request. The term "systems review committee" is also used.

Systems review committee

A group of key managers and users responsible for evaluating systems requests. The term computer resources committee is sometimes also used.

Gantt Chart

A horizontal bar chart that illustrates a schedule. Developed many years ago by Henry L. Gantt as a production control technique. Still are in common use today.

Data Center

A large concentration of networked computers working together.

Knowledge Base

A large database that allows users to find information by entering keywords or questions in normal English phrases.

Biometric Devices

A mechanism used to uniquely identify a person by a retina scan or by mapping a facial pattern.

bottom-up technique

A method for analyzing a large, complex project as a series of individual tasks, called project tasks.

Total cost of ownership (TCO)

A number used in assessing costs, which includes ongoing support and maintenance costs, as well as acquistion costs.

Case for action

A part of the preliminary investigation report to management that summarizes project requests and make specific recommendations.

Deliverable

A polished, final product, suitable for its intended use. End products or deliverables often coincide with the completion of each SDLC phase.

Encryption

A process where data is coded (converted into unreadable characters) so that only those with required authorization can access the data. (Usually via decoding software).

Work breakdown structure (WBS)

A project broken down into a series of smaller tasks.

Schedule Feasibility

A project can be implemented in an acceptable time frame.

events

A reference point that marks a major occurrence. Used to monitor progress and manage a project.

milestones

A reference point that marks a major occurrence. Used to monitor progress and manage a project.

Constraints

A requirement or a condition that the system must satisfy or an outcome that the system must achieve.

Corporate Culture

A set of beliefs, rules, traditions, values, and attitudes that define a company and influence its way of doing business.

System

A set of related components that produces specific results.

Predecessor tasks

A single prior task upon which two or more concurrent tasks depend.

Project Scope

A specific determination of a project's boundaries or extent.

Business Process

A specific set of transactions, events, and results that can be described and documented.

Electronic proof of delivery (EPOD)

A supplier uses RFID tags on each crate, case, or shipping unit to create a digital shipping list to verify recipts of goods.

Operational Feasibility

A system that will be used effectively after it has been developed.

Horizontal System

A system, such as inventory or payroll application, that can be adapted for use in many different types of companies.

Task group

A task that represents several activities.

Computer-aided Systems/Software Engineering (CASE)

A technique that uses powerful programs called CASE tools to provide an overall framework for systems development. The tools support a wide variety of design methodologies, including structured analysis and object-oriented analysis. Also referred to as computer-aided systems engineering.

Class

A term used in object-oriented modeling to indicate a collection of similar objects.

scatter diagram

A tool used by system analysts to graphically show the correlation between two variables. Also called an XY chart.

XY chart

A tool used by systems analysts to graphically show the correlation between two variables. Also called a scatter diagram.

Structured Analysis

A traditional systems development technique that uses phases to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system. Processes and data are treated as separate components.

Supply Chain

A traditional systems development technique that uses phases to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system. Processes and data are treated as separate components.

Systems Analyst

A valued member of the IT department team who helps plan, develop, and maintain information systems.

Pareto Chart

A vertical bar graph named for a nineteenth century economist. The bars, which represent various causes of a problem, are arranged in descending order, so the team can focus on the most important causes.

Economic feasibility

Achieved if the projected benefits of the proposed system outweigh the estimated costs involved i acquiring, installing, and operating it.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Activities and functions that systems developers typically perform, regardless of how those activities and functions fit into a particular methodology. The SDLC model includes five phases: 1. Systems planning, 2. Systems analysis, 3. Systems design, 4. Systems implementation, and 5. Systems support and security.

Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)

Activities that cover the entire SDLC, including requirements, design, development, testing, and deployment and management of software applications. Also called Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Intangible Benefits

Advantages that are difficult to measure in dollars but are important to the company.

Iterative

An adaptive method typically uses a spiral development model, which builds on a series of iterations.

Fishbone Diagram

An analysis tool that represents the possible causes of a problem as graphical outline. Also called an Ishikawa diagram.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

An application for building other software applications. Typically includes a visual code editor, an integrated compiler, a debugger, a configuration management system, and a test framework.

Machine Learning

An application of computer science and artificial intelligence that uses automated approaches to pattern recognition and predictive analytics based on large datasets.

Prototype

An early, rapidly constructed working version of the proposed information system.

Bring your own device (BYOD)

An equipment management model where employees are in charge of their devices (e.g., computers, tablets, smartphones) at work, not the IT department. This includes device selection and setup, program installation and updating, and network connectivity (including security).

SWOT analysis

An examination of a company's strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T).

weight

An important multiplier that managers factor into estimates so they can be analyzed.

preliminary investigation

An initial analysis to clearly identify the nature and scope of the business opportunity or problem. Also called a feasibility study.

Feasibility Study

An initial investigation to clearly identify the nature and scope of the business opportunity or problem. Also called preliminary investigation.

Business Profile

An overview of a company's mission, functions, organization, products, services, customers, suppliers, competitors, constraints, and future direction.

activity

Any work that has a beginning and an end and requires the use of company resources including people, time, and/or money. Examples include conducting a series of interviews, designing a report, selecting software, waiting for the delivery of equipment, and training users

task

Any work that has a beginning and an end and requires the use of company resources including people, time, and/or money. Examples include conducting a series of interviews, designing a report, selecting software, waiting for the delivery of equipment, and training users.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Application systems that provide cost-effective support for users and managers throughout the company.

Tangible benefits

Benefits that can be measured in dollars.

Product-oriented

Companies that manufacture computers, routers, or microchips.

Enterprise Applications

Company wide applications that support the businesses day-to-day functions such as processing systems, payroll systems, and company communications networks.

Information

Data that has been transformed into output that is valuable to users.

Vertical System

Designed to meet the unique requirements of a specific business or industry.

Internet-of-Things (IOT)

Devices conected to one another over a computer network.

Systems Support and Security Phase

During the systems support and security phase of the SDLC, the IT staff maintains, enhances, and protects the system.

Objects

Elements

Hardware

Everything in the physical layer of the information system.

Tangible costs

Expenses that have a specific dollar value. Examples include employee salaries and hardware purchases.

Data Flow Diagram (DFD)

Graphical representation of the system, showing it stores, processes, and transforms data into useful information.

Business Process Model (BPM)

Graphically displays one or more business processes.

Project monitoring

Guiding, supervising, and coordinating the project team's workload.

Business rules

How a system handles data and produces useful information. Business rules, also called business logic, reflect the operational requirements of the business. Examples include adding the proper amount of sales tax to invoices, calculating customer balances and finance charges, and determining whether a customer is eligible for a volume-based discount.

Project Planning

Identifying project tasks and estiminating completion time and costs

Properties

In object-oriented (O-O) analysis, characteristics that objects inherit from their class or possess on their own.

Enterprise Computer

Information Systems that support company wide operations and data management requirements.

e-commerce (electronic commerce)

Internet-based commerce.

Intangible costs

Items that are difficult to measure in dollar terms, such as employee dissatisfaction.

System Software

Manages the hardware components, which can include single computer or a global network with many thousands of clients.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Many companies implement systems to integrate all customer related events and transactions including marking, sales, and customer service activities.

Legacy Systems

Older systems

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE)

One of the leading methods used by systems analyst to develop information systems.

Mission-Critical System

One that is vital to a company's operations.

Stakeholders

People who have an interest in an information system.

CASE tools

Powerful software used in computer-aided systems engineering (CASE) to help systems analysts develop and maintain information systems.

Transaction Processing (TP) Systems

Process data generated by day-to-day business operations.

Modeling

Produces a graphical representation of a concept or process that systems developers can analyze, test, and modify.

Application Software

Programs that support day-to-day business functions and provide users with the information they need.

Business support systems

Provide job-related information support to users at all levels of a company.

Project reporting

Providing regular progress reports to management, users, and the project team itself.

Data

Raw material that an information system transforms into useful information.

Business Case

Refers to the reasons, or justification, for a proposal.

Critical Path Method (CPM)

Shows a project as a network diagram. The activities are shown as vectors, and the events are displated graphically as nodes. Although CPM developed separately from the Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT), the two methods are essentially identical.

Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN)

Standard shapes and symbols to represent events, processes, workflows, and more (visio, draw.io)

Technical Support

Technical support is necessary to support the wide variety of IT systems and users. It includes six main functions: application development, systems support, user support, database administration, network administration, and web support. These functions overlap considerably and often have different names in different companies.

User Productivity Systems

Technology that improves productivity.

Electronic Product Code (EPC)

Technology that uses RFID tags to identify andmonitor the movement of each individual product, from the factory floor to the retail checkout counter.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

The Exchange of business documents between computers using a standard electronic format.

PERT/CPM

The Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) was developed by the U.S. Navy to manage very complex projects, such as the construction of nuclear submarines. At approximately the same time, the Critical Path Method (CPM) was developed by private industry to meet similar project management needs. The important distinctions between the two methods have disappeared over time, and today the technique is called either PERT, CPM, or PERT/CPM.

Critical Thinking Skills

The ability to compare, classify, evaluate, recognize patterns, analyze cause and effect, and apply logic. Such skills are valued in the IT industry.

Object-Oriented (O-O) analysis

The act of understanding an information system by identifying things called objects. An object represents a real person, place, event, or transaction. Object-oriented analysis is a popular approach that sees a system from the viewpoint of the objects themselves as they function and interact with the system.

person-day

The amount of work that one person can complete in one day.

Artificial Intelligence

The attempt to recreate natural intelligence through software in machines.

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

The coordination, integration, and management of materials, information, and finances as they move from suppliers to customers, both within and between companies. In a totally integrated supply chain, a customer order could cause a production planning system to schedule a work order, which in turn could trigger a call for certain parts from one or more suppliers.

Project Scheduling

The creation of a specific timetable to facilitate completion of a project. Also involves selecting and staffing the project team and assigning specific tasks to team members.

Just-in-time (JIT)

The exchange or delivery of information when and where it is needed. For example, just-in-time inventory systems rely on computer-to-computer data exchange to minimize unnecessary inventory.

Systems Planning Phase

The first phase of the SDLC. During this phase, the systems project gets started. The project proposal is evaluated to determine its feasibility. The project management plan is formulated, with the help of CASE tools where appropriate

Systems Implementation Phase

The fourth phase of the SDLC. During this phase, the new system is constructed—programs are written, tested, and documented, and the system is installed.

Business Model

The information that a system must provide

Strategic Plans

The long-range plans that define the corporate mission and goals. Typically defined by top management, with input from all levels.

Probable-case estimate (P)

The most likely outcome is called a probable-case estimate.

best-case estimate (B)

The most optimistic outcome.

Worst-case estimate (W)

The most pessimistic outcome.

Moore's Law

The number of transistors on an integrated circuit chip would double about every 24 months.

Project Leader

The person charged with leading a project from a technical perspective.

Project Manager

The person charged with managing a project from an administrative perspective

Project Coordinator

The person who handles administrative responsibilities for the development team and negotiates with users who might have conflicting requirements or want changes that would require additional time or expense.

Project Creep

The process by which projects with very general scope definitions expand gradually, without specific authorization.

Strategic Planning

The process of identifying lon-term organizational goals, strategies, and resources.

Software

The programs that control the hardware and produce the desired information or results.

Systems Analysis Phase

The second SDLC phase. The purpose of this phase is to build a logical model of the new system.

Processes

The task and business functions that users, managers, and IT staff members perform to achieve specific results.

System Design Phase

The third SDLC phase. The purpose of systems design is to create a blueprint for the new system that will satisfy all documented requirements, whether the system is being developed in-house or purchased as a package.

Project Triangle

The three major components of a project: cost, scope, and time. A project manager tries to find optimal balance among these factors.

Waterfall model

The traditional model of software development. A graph that depicts the result of each SDLC phase flowing down into the next phase.

Requirements Engineering

Used in the systems planning phase of the SDLC. It involves using various fact-finding techniques, such as interviews, surveys, observation, and sampling, to describe the current system and identify the requirements for the new system.

Groupware

User productivity systems that enables users to share data, collaborate on projects, and work in teams.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Uses high-frequency radio waves to track physical objects, such as a shirt.

B2C (business-to-consumer)

Using the Internet, consumers can go online to purchase an enormous variety of products and services.

Critical Success Factor

Vital objectives that must be achieved for the enterprise to fulfill its mission.

Technical Feasibility

When an organization has the resources to develop or purchase, install, and operate the system.

Discretionary projects

Where management has a choice in implementing a project, they are called discretionary. For example, creating a new eport for a user is an example of discretionary project.

Nondiscretionary Projects

Where managements has no choice in implementing a project, they are called nondiscretionary. For example, adding a report required by a new federal law.

Inference rules

logical rules that identify data patterns and relationships.

Agile Methods

systems development methods that attempt to develop a system incrementally, by building a series of prototypes and constantly adjusting them to user requirements

Personal digital assistant

systems that are a combination of knowledge management systems and user productivity systems enhanced with artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.

Project Management

the process of planning, scheduling, monitoring, controlling, and reporting upon the development of an information system.