Software engineering chapter 1

Information Technology (IT)

The combination of hardware, software, and services used to manage, communicate, and share information.

Systems Analysis and Design

A step‑by‑step process for developing high‑quality information systems.

Systems Analyst

A professional who plans, develops, and maintains information systems, manages IT projects, and acts as a bridge between business and technical staff.

Information System

A set of related components (hardware, software, data, processes, people) that produces specific results to support business operations.

Hardware

The physical layer of an information system (servers, workstations, networks, telecommunications equipment).

Software

Programs that control hardware and produce desired information; includes system software and application software.

Data

Raw material that an information system transforms into useful information, stored in tables and linked in databases.

Processes

Tasks and business functions performed by users, managers, and IT staff to achieve specific results.

Stakeholders

People with an interest in an information system: management, users (end‑users), and IT staff.

E‑commerce

Internet‑based commerce; includes B2C (business‑to‑customer) and B2B (business‑to‑business) models.

Business Profile

An overview of a company’s mission, functions, organization, products, services, customers, suppliers, competitors, and future direction.

Business Process Model (BPM)

A graphical representation of one or more business processes (e.g., handling a reservation, filling an order).

Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN)

A standard set of shapes and symbols used to represent events, processes, and workflows in business models.

Enterprise Computing

Supports company‑wide operations and data management, often using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.

Transaction Processing (TP) System

Processes data generated by day‑to‑day business operations (e.g., order processing, accounts receivable).

User Productivity Systems

Technology that improves employee productivity (email, conferencing, word processing, groupware).

Modeling

Creating a graphical representation of a concept or process for analysis, testing, and modification.

Prototyping

Building an early working version of an information system to test concepts and gather user feedback.

Computer‑Aided Systems Engineering (CASE) Tools

Software that helps systems analysts develop and maintain information systems; supports structured and object‑oriented methods.

Structured Analysis

A traditional systems development technique that uses phases (SDLC) to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The phases of structured analysis: systems planning, analysis, design, implementation, and support/security.

Waterfall Model

A sequential SDLC approach where each phase’s deliverable flows into the next phase.

Object‑Oriented (O‑O) Analysis

A development approach that combines data and processes into objects to model real‑world business operations.

Agile Methods

Iterative development that builds prototypes and adjusts them continuously based on user feedback (e.g., spiral model).

Spiral Model

An iterative development model that incorporates feedback from each step into the next increment.

Joint Application Development (JAD)

A team‑based fact‑finding technique used in systems development.

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

A compressed version of the entire development process using a team of users, managers, and IT staff.

Help Desk

User support function providing technical information, training, and productivity assistance.

Quality Assurance (QA)

The team that reviews and tests applications and system changes to ensure they meet specifications and quality standards.

Critical Thinking Skills

The ability to analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and propose effective solutions; essential for systems analysts.

Cloud Computing

Computing services delivered over the Internet (software, storage, processing).

Social Media

Online platforms that enable users to create and share content; increasingly integrated into business IT strategies.

Five key components of Information Systems

Hardware, Software, Data, Processes, People

what happens in the system planning stage of the SDLC Model

preliminary investigation

business case

refers to the reasons, or justifcations for a proposal

what is SWOT Analysis

Strengths, Weakness, Oppportunities, Threats