Information Systems - Nature and Issues

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1. Information Systems: Nature & Issues

Figure 4 illustrates the nature of Information System (IS) Context.

2. Systems Analysis and Design: An Overview

Analysis is part of the process whereby we attempt to understand what the problem is. There can be a rush towards building and implementing a solution before the problem is fully understood let alone before we have any confidence that the solution is appropriate and correct.

Analysis can take a vague, incomplete and ambiguous requirement converting it to a precise and unambiguous model that enables questions to be answered.

Design is the process whereby we can specify a method for solving a problem. It allows us to realise a solution in a manner that can be tested and verified. It is essentially a model of the final artefact that is to be created.

Neither process is likely to be achieved without some effort and both will need iteration through a number of cycles.

The first step is to identify a need for the new system. This will include determining whether a business problem or opportunity exists, conducting a feasibility study to determine if the proposed solution is cost effective and developing a project plan.

This process may involve end users who come up with an idea for improving their work or may only involve IS people. Ideally, the process occurs in tandem with a review of the organisation’s strategic plan to ensure that IT is being used to help the organisation achieve its strategic objectives. Management may need to approve concept ideas before any money is budgeted for its development.

3. Lifecycles, Development Methods & Models

We need a systematic approach in constructing information systems and the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) provides a set of guidelines.

There is no uniformity in defining and describing the life cycle of an information system. Sometimes different development cycles are defined based on the development strategy. Examples of  different SDLCs: is the classic or waterfall development life cycle, prototype development, the spiral model and many others.

The core of the SDLC (Analysis-Design-Implementation) is based on the standard approach to problem solving. First, you need to figure out what the problem is (i.e. Analysis), then you need to figure out a good approach for solving it (i.e. Design), and finally you need to go ahead and do it (i.e. Implementation). To reiterate then, the SDLC is the process of developing IS through Investigation, Analysis, Design, Implementation and Maintenance.

The SDLC comes in different flavours. The waterfall - a linear approach implies that you do each step in sequence. This is the way most systems were developed many years ago. The major problem is that it assumes you can do all the analysis and get everything right without doing any design or implementation. Sometimes this just isn’t possible. Occasionally it is the only option! The iterative approach implies that you do some analysis, then some design, and then some implementation.

There are three primary objectives of any SDLC:

1 - Defines activities to be carried out

The SDLC provides a framework to present and to understand the activities involved in the systems development process.

2 - Introduces consistency in the development process

The SDLC provides a framework to program and co-ordinate the systems development process.

3 - Provides checkpoints (milestones) for monitoring projects

Every information system starts with the identification of the needs and ends with a computer system working for an organisation.

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Reference(s)
	Book		Britton, C. & Doake, J. (2002) Software Systems Development: A Gentle Introduction. 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill: United Kingdom (UK), England, London. [ISBN: 9780077099749]. [Available on: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gyIq7d].
	Book		Weaver, P., Lambrou, N. & Walkley, M. (2002) Practical Business Systems Development Using SSADM: A Complete Tutorial Guide. 3rd Edition. Financial Times Prentice Hall: United Kingdom (UK), England, Essex, Harlow. [ISBN: 9780273655756]. [Available on: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FiDJsm].

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Reference (or cite) Article
	Kahlon, R. S. (2012) Information Systems: Nature & Issues [Online]. dkode: United Kingdom, England, London. [Published on: 2012-06-18]. [Article ID: RSK666-0000047]. [Available on: dkode | Ravi - https://ravi.dkode.co/2012/06/information-systems-their-nature-issues.html].

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