Information Systems Solutions: A Project Approach

Description

The development, implementation and maintenance of computer-based information system solutions require innovative thinking, research and communication skills, extensive documentation, and the ability to effectively apply proposed solutions. Information System Solutions: A Project Approach integrates basic information systems knowledge with these requirements, culminating in their combined application in a project-based real-world scenario. Three different project models, an SDLC-based chapter organization and an emphasis on teamwork make this text easily adaptable to your teaching needs. Successfully tested in the classroom and approved by thousands of students, Information System Solutions: A Project Approach prepares your students to be active, effective contributors to the professional field of information systems. The text includes: • Attention to various areas of interest, including general IS concepts and environmental, client-specific factors (strategy, marketing, and organizational behavior). • A chapter organization that follows the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). • Coverage of three project models–case, passive live, and active live–for classroom use that enrich and enliven students’ learning experience through “Learning by Doing. Tittle Contents PART ONE PROJECT AND TEAM ORGANIZATION 1 Introduction to the Project Approach Introduction The Historical Role of Information A Typical IT Project Information System Solutions System Solution Activities Concepts and Models for Information Systems Roles for Information Systems The Information System Life Cycle Adding Structure to System Acquisition Project Management Systems Development Life Cycle Balancing Structure and Flexibility Performing Development Activities Technology-Driven Development Output-Driven Development Data-Driven Development Process-Driven Development Event-Driven Development Object-Oriented Design CASE Tool–Driven Development Structuring Development Activities in an IT Project Field Project Challenges Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises References 2 Organizing and Working in a Project Team Introduction Team Theory and Principles Building an Effective Team Start Up Team Evolution Team Contract Skills Inventory Assigning Roles Code of Conduct Managing a Team Successful Teams Individual Needs Leadership from a Motivational Perspective Working in a Team Communication Manager Relations Dealing with Nonperforming Members Removing a Member Resignation Dysfunctional Teams Peer Evaluations Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises References 3 Project Management Introduction Project Planning Using the SDLC for Planning The Spiral Model for Project Planning Flexible Project Planning Planning Mechanisms Generating the Plan Statement of Work Project Execution and Control Project Execution Controlling Changes in Operations Controlling Changes in Requirements Monitoring Progress against the Plan Taking Corrective Action Project Review Points Project Management Tools Project Communication Progress Reports Written Reports Presentations The Final Presentation Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises References 4 Data Modeling Introduction Entity Relationship Data Modeling Model Components Entity Relationship Diagram Symbols Building a Simple ERD ERD Rules Additional Constructs for ERDs Simplified, Reduced-Form ERDs Conceptual Data Models Metadata Enterprise Data Models Logical Data Models The Relational Model Relational Schema Normalization Structured Query Language Dimensional Models Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises References 5 Process and Object Modeling Introduction Process Models Data Flow Diagrams DFD Symbols Building a Simple DFD DFD Rules Creating Hierarchical DFDs Other Process Models IPO Charts Process Hierarchy Charts Object Models Use Case Diagrams Class Diagrams Sequence Diagrams Advantages of Object-Oriented Design Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises References PART TWO PROJECT DEFINITION 6 Understanding the Client’s Problem and Organization Introduction Strategic Alignment The Organization Case Determining Alignment The Project Definition Report Project Statement Strategic Alignment Proposed System Features Constraints Scope Examples of Project Definition Materials Working with the Client Professional Behavior Prepare for a Visit Make a Visit Information Collection Approaches Interviews Group Interviews Documents Observation Surveys and Sampling Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises Reference 7 Learning from the Current Situation Introduction Information Collection Current Situation Narrative Model Description of Current Operations Physical and Organizational Infrastructure Problem Analysis Retention and Change Analysis Correctness and Completeness with Multiple Representations Current Operation Graphical Process Model Guidelines Process Model Metadata Current Operation Graphical Data Model The Project Definition Presentation Completing the Project Definition Stage Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises PART THREE PROPOSED SYSTEM 8 Proposed System Specifications Introduction Goals and Outcomes Concepts for the Proposed System Problem-Solving Methods Organizational Models Design Approaches Narrative Specifications Narrative Format GB Video Narrative Model Graphical Process Specifications Modified Data Flow Diagrams The Context-Level DFD The First Explosion MDFD Additional Explosions Graphical Data Specifications Metadata Specifications Object-Oriented Design Specifications Use Case Diagrams Class Diagrams Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises References 9 Alternatives, Evaluation, and Recommendation Introduction Making Choices Alternative Solutions Choosing a Design Option Choosing Functionality Choosing a Sourcing Option Choosing Infrastructure Evaluating Performance Describing Alternative Solutions Evaluation Feasibility Risk Analysis Cost/Benefit Analysis Evaluation Metrics Features Analysis An Example of Alternatives The Evaluation Comparison and the Recommendation The Recommendation Client Approval to Proceed Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises References PART FOUR SYSTEM DELIVERY 10 Outsourcing Introduction The Outsourcing Process Models of Outsourcing Determining Requirements Product Features Functional Features Operational Features Vendor Roles Vendor Features Product/Vendor Selection Issues Request for Proposal RFP Content GB Video RFP Example Features Evaluation Ranking Methods Identifying Candidate Solutions Assigning Ratings Outcomes GB Video Example of a Weighted Features Analysis Contracts Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises 11 System Design Introduction A System Design Framework Physical Infrastructure Organizational Infrastructure Infrastructure Example Specifying Data Structure Relational Schema Metadata Other Data Schema Specifying Processes Program Structure Charts Physical Data Flow Diagrams Process Model Metadata Module Design Module Specification Pseudocode Metadata for Module Logic TIPOT Charts Dialog-Driven Systems Design Page Navigation Maps Page Action Maps Page Navigation and Action Map Metadata Data Warehouse Design Dimensional Models Data Warehouse Metadata The Extraction-Transform-Load Process Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises References 12 Proof of Concept Introduction Types of POC Models Package POC Models Prototype POC Models Using a POC Model Evaluating Operational Feasibility Evaluating Design Parameters and Compatibility Prototype-Based Design Building a Prototype Choosing a Focus Making Initial Design Decisions Generating Code Schedules and Assignments Coding and Design Specifications A GB Video Prototype Creating the Tables Coding the GB Prototype Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises 13 Project Completion Introduction Testing Plans Desk Checks Walk-Through Tests Design Specifications Walk-Through Tests Operational Testing Post-Implementation Tests Documentation Clearance Implementation The Implementation Plan Implementation Strategies Training Maintenance Plan Documentation System Controls Disaster Plans Post-Implementation Audit Plan GB Video Implementation Plan Closing the Project Summary Key Terms Review Questions Critical Thinking Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises Reference Appendix GB Video Final Report Index