Lecture 1 – Introduction to Business Information Systems

Flashcards covering module logistics, key definitions (system, information, information system), socio-technical and enterprise IS, historical context, project failure statistics and causes, system complexity, and IT roles/organisation as presented in Lecture 1.

How many lectures are in the Business Information Systems module?

Nine pre-recorded lectures.

How are seminars organised for the module?

Live weekly seminars; students attend ONE of two time slots each week (18:00–19:20 or 19:30–21:00).

What is the assessment split for the module?

50 % group presentation (coursework) and 50 % online multiple-choice exam.

Which week’s lecture covers Privacy and Data Protection?

Week 5.

Which lecture topic introduces waterfall and agile methodologies?

Information Systems Development – Part 1 (Week 7).

Define a ‘system’ in the context of this lecture.

An assembly of interrelated parts that operate together in an organised way to achieve a goal.

Name the four basic elements typically found in any system.

Inputs, Processes, Outputs, and Boundaries (with possible Feedback loops).

What does ‘sub-system coupling’ refer to?

The degree to which sub-systems are loosely or tightly connected within a larger system.

State the DIKW hierarchy from lowest to highest level.

Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom.

Give the lecture’s concise definition of an Information System.

An integrated set of components for collecting, storing, processing data and providing information and knowledge.

What distinguishes socio-technical information systems?

They consider human and organisational factors alongside technical factors in design.

What is an Enterprise Information System (EIS)?

A system that supports organisational workflows, processes, and interactions, often packaged (e.g., SAP) or tailored.

List two early non-electronic information systems mentioned.

Andean kipu and tally sticks (others: abacus, slide rule, Difference Engine).

Which WWII machine is cited as a forerunner of modern electronic computers?

Colossus (1943–45).

What development made computing accessible to small businesses in the 1960s?

The emergence of minicomputers.

According to the Standish Group’s ‘Chaos’ report (1995), what percentage of IS projects are cancelled before completion?

31.1 %.

What percentage cost overrun did the ‘Chaos’ report find for IS projects on average?

Projects cost 189 % of their original estimates.

Name one UK example of large-scale IT failure given in the lecture.

National Programme for IT in the NHS (others: BA data-centre failure, Post Office Horizon).

Identify the top three factors contributing to project challenges per the ‘Chaos’ report.

Lack of user input, incomplete requirements/specifications, changing requirements/specifications.

According to Dr Gannon, what is the number-one reason for IS project failure?

Poor communication between developers and customers.

Roughly how many source lines of code (SLOC) does Windows or MacOS have?

45 million SLOC.

Give one statistic illustrating the complexity of a modern web browser.

Over 14 million SLOC written in more than 30 programming languages.

What are the primary responsibilities of an IT department?

Maintain daily IT operations, change existing IT, fix issues, design/deploy new IT, develop strategy, and manage administration.

Who is typically in charge of an organisation’s IT function?

The IT Director or Chief Information Officer (CIO).

What does a Business Analyst do?

Translates user requirements into technical specifications for developers.

Define the role of an IT Architect.

Creates and maintains the blueprint showing how technology components fit together and operate effectively.

Differentiate between centralised and distributed IT organisational models.

Centralised: a single IT department serves all divisions; Distributed: each division manages its own IT.

What is a hybrid IT organisational model?

Some services (e.g., infrastructure) are centralised while others are managed by individual business units.

Give an example of consumer-level technology involved in buying a book on Amazon.

A laptop with over 1,000 components including CPU, memory, and network adapters.

Name one back-office system involved in Amazon’s order processing.

Accounts/general ledger (others: contract/legal, CRM, HCM).

Why are global telecommunications networks considered complex?

They comprise hundreds of kilometres of cables, satellite/microwave links, routers, switches, and computers worldwide.

What textbook is recommended as background reading on ‘Information’?

“The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood” by James Gleick.

What seminal book on software project management is referenced at the end of Part 3?

“The Mythical Man-Month” by Frederick P. Brooks (1975).