Systems Analysis and Design

Contents

[Instructor | Text | Prerequisites | Overview of Course | Grades |Outline and Course Schedule | Homework | Project | Group Eval. | Course Policy | Group Work on Homework | Late Homework |Makeup Exams | Class Preparation | Students with Disabilities ]

Instructor

Texts

• Dennis, Alan & Haley Wixom, Barbara. Systems Analysis and Design, John Wiley, 2000.
• System Architect Tutorial (WWW site)

Prerequisites

MIS 328

Overview of Course

The objective of this course is to study current strategies and techniques of systems analysis and design. The student will learn how to use the techniques to analyze and model information system requirements, propose an information systems solution and build an information system that meets an organization's needs. The course covers managerial, behavioral, and technical components of the system's analysis and design process. Managerial and behavioral topics include system development methods (e.g., life cycle, prototyping, spiral model), systems theory, strategic planning, business process reengineering, project management, and information gathering techniques. Technical topics include data flow diagrams, data dictionaries, entity-relationship models, transform descriptions, state transition diagrams, and object-oriented modeling (UML).

Objectives

1. The student will be able to select appropriate systems development methods.
2. The student will be able to determine and document a project management plan for information system development projects. This plan will include components that address the schedule, process, and quality of the project.
3. The student will be able to determine and specify information systems requirements and propose an information technology (IT) architecture for a real organization.
4. The student will be able to use system analysis and design models and CASE tools to specify the requirements and design of an information system.
5. The student will learn to work effectively in teams to specify the requirements and design of an information system.

Assessment

Homework, exams, and a project will be used to assess the achievement of the above objectives. In particular, students will work in teams to specify the requirements and design of an information system for a real organization. The students will be graded on the quality of their project management plan, quality of their requirements specification, and quality of the groups design specification. Feedback from team members will be used to judge team effectiveness. The project is used to assess each of the objectives above. In addition, exam and homework scores will be used to assess the students understanding of the concepts relevant to objectives 1-4.

Grading Policy

Grades are assigned as follows: 92-100% A, 90-91% A-, 87-89% B+, 82-86% B, 80-81% B-, 77-79% C+, 72-76% C, 70-72% C-, 60-69% D, less than 60% F. Final grades are based on the following percentages: Midterm 25%, Final 25%, Project 30%, Homework 15%, Class Participation 5%.

Outline and Course Schedule

The following outline and schedule may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

Developing Quality Information Systems

Systems Analysis

Systems Design

Final: Monday, May 8 8-10 AM (The new final is posted)

Homework

The homework will include SA Models, SD Models, and other aspects of the development process. Many of the homework assignments build from past homework assignments. Some homework will require the use of a CASE tool. A student or group of students will, on occasion, present their homework results to the rest of the class. Student's will be told in advance when they are to present their homework assignment.

Project

The project is a major part of your grade. The project must be done in groups of two to four people. The project involves the analysis and design of an information system for a real organization. You are responsible for locating this organization. The projects should include the following: A title page, table of contents, general description of the organization, description of the company's current and potential information system problems, and description of the purpose and scope of the study. Next, your project should document the organization's information system requirements using text, models of the current system and models of the future system. The models can include object-oriented models, ER models, data flow diagrams, state transition models, data dictionary and process description. After the requirements are specified, the project should propose future systems that addresses at least part of the company's information system requirements. The proposed future systems can include an investigation of purchased software packages. At least one alternative should be documented using object-oriented models, structure charts, dialog diagrams, and/or a system prototype. A cost/benefit analysis should be performed for each alternative. Finally, the project should include documentation relevant for project management. This documentation includes a history of past work, a work log, project management models (e.g., schedules), and evaluations of the project team and its members. The projects typically range from 40 to 150 pages in length.

Group Evaluations

Students will participate in project groups. Students will have an opportunity to evaluate the group and recognize outstanding members of the group. This feedback will be used to determine the group evaluation grade.

Course Policy

Group Work on Homework Assignments

Unless homework is explicitly identified as group homework, students must complete their own homework. Copying homework is not allowed. If help is needed, the student is encouraged to ask the professor or someone from class. Note there is a fine line between "help" and completing homework for a student. Students should be careful not to cross this line.

Late Homework

Homework must be turned in at the beginning of class. There is a 10% per day penalty for late homework.

Makeup Exams

Makeup exams will be given only when the instructor, prior to the exam, has approved the request to change the exam time. Approval will be given for illness, sickness or death in the family etc.

Class Preparation and Participation

Read materials before class. A portion of your final grade is based on class participation.

The class participation grade is completely at the instructor's discretion. Students can improve class participation grades through attendance, speaking in class, talking with the instructor individually and showing effort toward understanding the course material.

Students With Disabilities

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification from Disability Services, Wyllie Hall D175.