DSM9010 - INTRODUCTORY SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Module Identifier	DSM9010
Module Title	INTRODUCTORY SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Academic Year	2002/2003
Co-ordinator	Mrs Christine J Urquhart
Semester	Available all semesters
Assessment	Semester Assessment	Planning a project equivalent to a 2,500 word essay in terms of the planning and investigation involved	100%

Learning outcomes

After completing this module you should be able to:

discuss the systems approach to management;
select the appropriate tools and demonstrate techniques which can be used for basic systems analysis;
outline the principles of project management and select appropriate project management techniques.

Brief description

A clear understanding of the information needs and information behaviour of the 'consumers' of information is the basis for all aspects of information management and information system development. I was surprised recently to find that a book entitled The systems analysis interview: a guide to interviewing in organisations devoted half the text to a discussion of organisational and management theory. The title didn't indicate why systems analysts might need to consider the way an organisation operated in so much depth. Despite my initial surprise I do in fact wholly support Brian James (the author) in his views on the importance to the systems analyst of a full understanding of the way an organisation operates, and how it is managed. Systems analysts are involved in finding an information solution, often in the form of a computerised system, to a business problem. It's the problem that should come first, and there are a string of expensive information systems failures in the health service and in other sectors to remind us that the information system is not a solution in itself. Increasingly the skills of the analyst are to understand the nature of the business of the organisation, and how the people within that organisation use information.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
Avgerou, C. and T. Cornford. (1998) Developing information systems: concepts, issues and practice. 2nd. Basingstoke: Macmillan

Journals
Information Systems Journal.

Books
** Essential Reading
Mason, D. and L. Willcocks. (1994) Systems analysis, systems design. Henley on Thames: Alfred Waller

Journals
Journal of Applied Systems Analysis.

Books
** Essential Reading
Eden, C., S. Jones and D. Sims. (1983) Messing about in problems: an informal approach to their identification and management. Oxford: Pergamon Press

Journals
Journal of Documentation.

Books
** Essential Reading

Journals
Journal of Information Systems (now European Journal of Information Systems).

Books
** Essential Reading
Additional reference to a number of sources is made at each module unit.