ILM0320 - INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION

Module Identifier

ILM0320

Module Title

INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION

Academic Year

2007/2008

Co-ordinator

Dr Christine J Urquhart

Semester

Semester 2

Other staff

Ms Tanya C Rogers

Course delivery

Other

Delivered by open learing

Seminars / Tutorials

Introductory tutorial, with further two tutorials, one for each assignment

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Coursework report 2,500 word essay equivalent	50%
Semester Assessment	Coursework report 2,500 word essay equivalent	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Resubmission of failed element(s) of coursework

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

describe and apply techniques for identifying the strategic impact of information technology on an organisation;

describe how the costs and benefits of an information technology or information systems investment should be appraised ;

explain the development of soft and participative methodologies;

select and apply appropriate soft systems techniques;

discuss and define approaches to business process modelling;

apply business process modelling techniques and diagrams to a business problem;

explain the rationale for structured systems approaches and development of object oriented analysis;

formulate and draw a range of UML diagrams, and structured systems diagrams;

discuss the legal and ethical risks in systems procurement;

formulate appropriate procurement approaches, including consideration of outsourcing;

discuss and justify approaches to project management;

demonstrate some project management techniques.

Brief description

The module covers a variety of techniques that may be used throughout the planning and implementation of new information systems. New information systems often upset current ways of working and therefore considerable emphasis is placed in the module on the techniques that analysts and users can use to help in planning for a new information system, analysing the current data and information flows and business processes so that discussion of system and process improvements can be productive. Students will compare various methodologies ¿ `recipes¿ ¿ for systems analysis and project management to help understand why systems failures occur, how they can be avoided, and how projects can be managed better, from planning through procurement and implementation to evaluation of the completed project and realisation of benefits.

Content

The content includes:
Unit 1: Information strategy, strategic planning tools, benefits appraisal
Unit 2: Soft and participative methodologies, techniques used in soft systems analysis (e.g. cognitive mapping, repertory grids, conceptual modelling), information systems philosophies
Unit 3: Business process modelling (approaches, techniques such as RIVA activity diagrams and process architecture)
Unit 4: Structured approaches to systems analysis, SSADM diagramming, object oriented analysis (principles, diagramming techniques, working with users)
Unit 5: Procurement of information systems, strategic procurement issues, standards and methods for procurement, trust and collaborative procurement, outsourcing
Unit 6: Project management risks, approaches to implementation, organisational change, user acceptance, human-computer interaction principles, training and testing, project management software, project management methodologies, project evaluation, programme management principles.

Module Skills

Problem solving	Through practical work on systems analysis and business process modelling techniques
Research skills	By critical appraisal of the evidence for the factors affecting the success or failure of projects
Communication	Through practice with different methods of presenting information flows, and processes
Improving own Learning and Performance	By appreciation of their own likely preferred roles within a team
Team work	By appreciation of the factors that affect project performance, including the factors affecting successful team working
Information Technology	Through practice with use of project management software
Application of Number	Through understanding of the principles of cost-benefit analysis
Personal Development and Career planning	By acquisition of a range of practical skills that can be applied to organisational problems, appreciation of project management that can be applied to their own career planning
Subject Specific Skills	a) Systems analysis b) Business process analysis c) Project management d) Research skills

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Avgerou, C and Cornford, T (1998) Developing information systems: concepts, issues and practice 2nd. Basingstoke: Macmillan (Macmillan Information Systems Series)
Avison, D and Shah, H (1997) The information systems development life cycle Maidenhead, Berks: McGraw Hill
Bennett, S. McRobb, S. Farner, R. (2002) Object-oriented systems analysis and design using UML 2nd. London: McGraw-Hill
Each Unit in the module is supported by readings supplied in a seperate pack. The module conmference area contains Web site links.
Ould, MA. (2005) Business Process Management Swindon: BCS
Vidgen, R, Avison D, Wood, B and Wood-Harper (2002) Developing Web information systems, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7