Chapter 1 - Systems - Systems Analysis & Design Methods

5 groups of IS stakeholders

1. system owners 2. system users 3. system designers 4. system builders 5. system analyst

Representative CRM vendors

BroadVision Kana Nortel/Clarity Peoplesoft/Vanitive

Continuous process improvement

The continuous monitoring of business processes to effect measurable improvements in cost reduction and value added.

Total quality management

a comprehensive approach to facilitating quality improvements and management within a business.

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: (They can be changed or expanded easily without adversely affecting the applications that used them previously) -Object-oriented programming languages include C++)), java, -Smalltalk, and Visual Basic.net

E-Business

the use of the Internet to conduct and support day-to-day business activities.

Other Stakeholders

-External Service Provider (ESP) -Project Manager

What is Systems Analysis

- Is a systematic approach to identifying problems, opportunities, and objectives. - Determining solutions for better operations.

Representative EAI vendors

-BEA Systems -IBM (MQSeries) -Mercator Software -TIBCO Software

Business Drivers for Today's Information Systems

Globalization of the Economy Electronic Commerce and Business Security and Privacy Collaboration and Partnership Knowledge Asset Management Continuous Improvement and Total Quality Management Business Process Redesign

Networks and the Internet

Networks include mainframe time-sharing systems, network servers, and a variety of desktop, laptop, and handheld client computers.

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

Enterprise Resource Planning

a software application that fully integrates information systems that span most (or all) of the basic, core business functions.

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

a software application that optimizes business processes for raw material procurement through finished product distribution by directly integrating the logistical information systems of organizations with those of their suppliers and distributors

Customer Relationship Management

a software application that provides customers with access to a business's processes from initial inquiry through post sale service and support.

system 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.

Agile development

a system development strategy in which system developers are given the flexibility to select from a variety of tools and techniques to best accomplish the tasks at hand.

system builder

a technical specialist who constructs information systems and components based on the design specifications generated by the system designers

system designer

a technical specialist who translates system users' business requirements and constraints into technical solution. He or she designs the computer databases, inputs, outputs, screens, networks, and software that will meet the system users' requirements

What is a System

a. Is a set of components that work together to fulfill a purpose. b. Combination of resources working together in converting inputs to outputs.

Information

data that has been processed or reorganized into a more meaningful form for someone.

E-Commerce

the buying and selling of goods and services by using the Internet.

Different Types of Systems

Business, Human Biological, and Computer

Knowledge Asset Management

Recognizes that data, information, and knowledge are critical business resources

TPS

information system that captures and processes data about business transactions.

What is the product of systems analysis & design

information systems

Global Economy impact on IS

-Require support of multiple languages, currency exchange rates, business cultures -Require consolidation of international data -Demand for players who can communicate, orally and in writing, with management and users that speak different languages

system users

-a "customer" who will use or is affected by an information system on a regular basis - capturing, validating, entering, responding to, storing, and exchanging data and information

System owners

-information system's sponsor and executive advocate, usually responsible for funding the project of developing, operating, and maintaining the information system -They view an IS in terms of costs and benefits to solve problems and exploit opportunities.

The General Roles of a Systems Analyst

1. Initiates changes 2. Defines and solves problems 3. States Objectives: (a) Planning function (b) Looks ahead 4. Analyzes and evaluates problems 5. Produces solutions to the problems 6. Develops plan 7. Designs a new system 8. Implements the new system.

Computer System

Hardware, software, people and procedures (rules) that interact to process data into information. - Data: Is unprocessed accumulated facts. - Information: Is processed organized facts.

a computer-based tool that people use to process the information needed in a organization

IT

Systems Analyst

Is a person responsible for the analysis, design and development of a system.

Information Technology

Is a term that describes the combination of computer technology (Hw & Sw) with telecommunications technology which includes data, image, and voice networks.

Systems Design

Is the specification of the formats for input and output, database, and the required program for the system. That is, designing a computerized information systems to solve problems.

Global Economy brings

New and expanded international markets New international competitors

Representative ERP vendors:

Oracle Peoplesoft SAP AG (the market leader) etc

Collaboration and Partnership

Organizations seek to break down the walls that separate organizational departments and functions.

System Development Process Overview

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 production.

Business Processes

Tasks that respond to business events (e.g., an order). Business processes are the work, procedures, and rules required to complete the business tasks, independent of any information technology used to automate or support them.

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

stakeholder

any person who has interest in an existing or proposed information system

Collaborate technologies

are those that enhance interpersonal communications and teamwork. -E-mail -Instant messaging -Groupware (Lotus's SameTime and MS Netmeeting) -Work flow

Information System

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

Expert System

captures the expertise of workers and then simulates that expertise (the "thinking") to the benefit of nonexperts

Knowledge

data and information that are further refined based on the facts, truths, beliefs, judgments, experiences, and expertise of the recipient.

communication and collaboration system

enables more effective communications between workers, partners, customers, and suppliers to enhance their ability to collaborate.

DSS

helps decision makers identify and choose between options or decisions.

Representative SCM vendors

i2 Technologies Manugistics etc

main goal of systems analysis and design

improve organizational system and make it work more efficiently.

Data

raw facts about people, places, events, and things that are of importance in an organization.

Middleware

software (usually purchased) used to translate and route data between different applications

office automation system

supports the wide range of business office activities that provide for improved work flow between workers.

MIS

that provides/produces information needed by managers to run the business.

Project management

the activity of defining, planning, directing, monitoring, and controlling a project to develop an acceptable system within the allotted time and budget.

How are information systems classified & what are they

the functions they serve: -transaction processing system (TPS) -management information system (MIS) -decision support system (DSS) -expert system -communication & collaboration system -office automation system

Process management

the ongoing activity that defines, improves, and coordinates the use of an organization's chosen methodology (the "process") and standards for all system development projects.

Enterprise Application Integration

the process and technologies used to link applications to support the flow of data and information between those applications.

Business process redesign

the study, analysis, and redesign of fundamental business processes to reduce costs and/or improve value added to the business. -An Organization can be redesigned to lower its cost. -The purpose of BPR is to make all business processes the best-in-class

Information workers

workers whose jobs involve the creation, collection, processing, distribution, and use of information