CHAPTER 8

Information Systems Planning

Translating strategic and organizational goals into systems development initiatives.

Systems Development Life Cycles

The stages a system goes through from investigation to maintenance and review.

Traditional Systems Development Life Cycle

Involves investigation, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance.

Prototyping

An iterative approach where solutions are designed and implemented in stages.

Rapid Application Development

A method to speed up application development.

Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) Tools

Tools automating tasks in systems development.

Object-Oriented Systems Development

Combines systems development with object-oriented modeling.

Systems Investigation

Process of identifying problems, opportunities, and costs of a new system.

Systems Analysis

Gathering data, determining requirements, and considering alternatives for a new system.

Systems Design

Specifies how the information system will solve a problem and its components.

Design Report

Primary result of systems design reflecting decisions made and preparing for systems implementation.

Systems Implementation

Includes hardware acquisition, programming, user preparation, hiring, training, site preparation, installation, testing, and user acceptance.

IS Vendor

Company offering hardware, software, telecommunications systems, databases, or other computer-related resources.

Make-or-buy Decision

Decision on obtaining software from external or internal sources.

User Preparation

Readying managers, decision makers, employees, and stakeholders for new systems.

IS Personnel

Hiring and training new personnel like IS managers, analysts, programmers, and data entry operators.

Site Preparation

Preparing the location of a new system with a focus on energy efficiency and security.

Data Preparation

Ensuring files and databases are ready for use with new computer software and systems.

Installation

Physically placing computer equipment on-site and making it operational.

Testing

Includes unit testing, system testing, volume testing, integration testing, and acceptance testing.

Start-Up

Begins with the final tested information system using approaches like direct conversion, phase-in, pilot, or parallel start-up.

User Acceptance

Formal agreement signed by users approving a phase of installation or the complete system.

Systems Operation and Maintenance

Involves using and enhancing the system to achieve user and organizational goals.

Systems Review

Analyzing systems to ensure they operate as intended, can be done during development.

System Performance Measurement

Monitoring system errors, memory, CPU time, and using software to measure system components.