INSS 540 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

Term V 2001-2002

Lecturer : Manfred Trostmann Class location: SHAPE-Grad

Phone: 0617178194 Class dates: Weekends 8/9, 22/23 June; 13/14, 27/28 July

+491715496690 Class time: 9:00 to 16:00

E. mail: trostmann@vff.uni-frankfurt.de

PREREQUISITES: INSS 510, 520, 530, or permission of the professor.

CREDIT: Three semester hours.

TEXTBOOK: System Analysis and Design in a Changing World by Satzinger, Jackson, and Burd, 2nd Edition

Recommended Reference: The Portable MBA by Robert Bruner et al, 3rd Edition,

John Wiley, 1998

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In our days almost every business uses Management information systems for decision making and other business activities. Because all information systems are parts of other systems the analyst needs to know what the environment of his system is and think himself in systems. Therefore a short introduction into system theory will be given.

The course will provide an in-depth look into information system following the phase model. Particular distributed information systems for businesses in a small area or global world and their networks will be presented. For the different types of application the necessary requirements acquisition, the logical design and the implementation issues will be addressed. Both, data - centered and process - centered approaches to system design will be evaluated. Several design methodologies will be discussed. Besides the life cycle approach also heuristic approaches will be examined. Organizational and behavioural issues with respect to information systems in a global world and their different systems will be covered.

An analysis and design project is required.

GRADING CRITERIA

Mini cases 10 points

Analysis and Design Project 40 points

Midterm 20 points

Final 30 points

ASSIGNMENTS OF GRADE

A 90 to 100

B 80 to < 90

C 70 to < 80

F Less than 70

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To provide the basic knowledge and understanding of all phases of the development of management information systems in a distributed environment. To be familiar with the state of the art approaches and tools. But students will also be able based on the knowledge they adopted in class to understand and use tools and approaches which will appear in the future.

The objectives for this course are listed in each chapter. Questions on the midterm and final will directly be related to these goals. Students completing class should be able to:

Develop models using Project Management tools

Identify classes of Information Systems utilized within business structures

Identify, describe and model problems and their underlying causes

Develop data collection methods and initial project studies

Develop feasibility studies with cost/benefit analysis, including Executive Summaries

Develop logical and physical system designs using various modelling methodologies

Produce DFDs, ERDs, Class Diagrams, Use Case diagrams, Collaboration and Sequence Diagrams, Location Diagrams and Activity Location/Activity data matrices

Explain evaluation criteria used in Requesting hardware/software new systems

Explain alternative approaches in acquiring systems, identifying advantages/disadvantages

Develop Program Specification Requirements

Describe the process for developing applications, including development of Program Specification Requirements

Identify CASE modules and adaptation to system design and development

Identify major theories and concepts in the field

The activities and assignments for this course are designed to help the student know, comprehend, and apply the basic concepts of systems analysis and design. In addition to the academic objectives, students are expected to improve their skills in the following areas:

Critical Thinking: Students should improve their ability to analyse computer user situations and make

appropriate suggestions for resolving business problems through computer systems. The projects in this class

encourage students to think critically about real-world situations.

Writing Skills: Students should improve writing skills through development of the Feasibility Study and formal

report on the major project and on the mid-term and final.

Oral Presentation Skills: Students should improve their presentation skills through their oral reports on the major

project, class discussions, and group presentations.

Computer Skills: Students are expected to improve their computer skills by using word processing and project

management software. The use of Internet and e-mail are also encouraged.

ASSIGNMENTS

Students might form a group or work as individuals on a project. The definition of the problem for a project is part of the project itself and has to be done by the students in close contact with the professor. The problems should be from the "real world", the students private or business situation. A list of projects and their papers from former classes will be available.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular class attendance is expected., both morning and afternoon classes. If you should miss a meeting , it is your responsibility to obtain information concerning covered and upcoming assignments. If there is an assignment due on that class period, previous arrangements should be made with the instructor whenever possible. Please note that those students receiving tuition assistance from the Federal Government must not miss three consecutive class meetings without prior approval, or the Education Services Officer ESO) must be notified by the instructor.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

WEEKEND TOPIC CHAPTER

First The System Analyst 1

Managing the Development of Information Systems 2

Approaches to System Development 3

Investigating System Requirements 4

Second System Modeling 5

Data and Process Modeling 6

Object Modeling 7

Strategic Alternatives and Decisions 8

MIDTERM

Third System Design 9

Designing Databases 10

Designing the User Interface 11

Designing System Interfaces Controls, and Security 12

Fourth RAD and Component Based Development 13

Packaged Software 14

Systems Implementation and Support 15

FINAL