44221: information systems review & assignment 1 by:ian perry room: c41c...
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44221: Information Systems
Review & Assignment 1
By: Ian PerryRoom: C41CE-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 01723 35 7287
http://itsy.co.uk/ac/0809/Sem1/44221_IS/
Ian Perry Slide 244221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Why study Information Systems? An understanding of Information Systems
is vital to business management and information technology students: As all business organisations rely upon the
ability of their Information Systems to provide/support the knowledge required for all levels of decision-making, i.e.:
Strategic Tactical Operational
Ian Perry Slide 344221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Learning Outcomes? By the end of the module you will be able to:
Understand why a distinction must be made between data, information & knowledge.
Identify the role of Information Systems in a given business context.
Relate theoretical models of Information Systems to business cases, by describing a given situation using systems terminology & diagrams.
Produce a working example of a computer-based Information Systems tool, which addresses specific business needs.
Ian Perry Slide 444221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Data, Information & Knowledge Data = ?
A series of observations, measurements, or facts (transactions/events). [Collins Concise English Dictionary]
Information = ? Data + Structure + Context
The same data can give different information if a different structure and/or context is applied.
Knowledge = ? that which is gained by the possession of
information that enables people to have a ‘better’ understanding of a situation and/or make ‘better’ decisions.
Ian Perry Slide 544221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Data is the ‘root’ of ALL Decisions“Data is only potential information; information is potential knowledge; and knowledge is potential competitive advantage if it is used in a creative, flexible, and above all, accurate way.”
Adrian M (1990) Let’s Get Serious. Focus News. Winter.
Ian Perry Slide 644221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Need to ‘view’ Organisations as a System? What is a System?
A set of interrelated components which act together in an organised way in order to achieve an objective (i.e. a known/defined/agreed purpose).
As with data/information/knowledge, each System may be: defined/viewed/interpreted in different ways by
different people. Systems Concepts provide a common
language with which to describe Systems of all types. diagrams are VERY IMPORTANT.
Ian Perry Slide 744221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
System, Sub-System & Element Each System is composed of a
number of related Elements. Only elements which have a relationship
with another element of the system can be a component of that system.
Elements with close relationships should be grouped together into Sub-systems. A Sub-system is therefore a set of elements
which is a proper subset of the whole system.
Ian Perry Slide 844221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Boundary & Identity There must be a way of defining which
elements are to be included within the system under analysis. All systems MUST have a boundary;
which encloses those sub-systems & elements that are components of the system.
All systems MUST have an identity; to distinguish them from other similar
systems.
Ian Perry Slide 944221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
All Systems ‘exist’ within other Systems These “other Systems” are referred to as the
Environment of the System. The Environment of most Business Systems is
composed of; Customers, Suppliers, Competitors, Government, Etc.
Must make a distinction between: External Environment - over which we have little
or no control, e.g. The Government puts up the rate of VAT; causing costs to
rise. Internal Environment - which we may be able to
control to some extent, e.g. Money is disappearing; so we implement a new security
system to attempt to catch the member of staff who is stealing from us.
Ian Perry Slide 1044221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
A ‘System in Context’ Diagram
The System is composed of a number of Sub-systems (i.e. the Internal Environment).The System has a Boundary (which separates it from other Systems) and a ‘unique’ Identity (which distinguishes it from similar Systems).The System ‘exists’ within, and ‘interacts’ with, other Systems (i.e. the External Environment).
ABC Ltd.
Warehousing
CustomerServices
Manuf acturing
Competitors
Suppliers
CustomersGovernment
Economy
ABC Ltd.
Warehousing
CustomerServices
Manuf acturing
Competitors
Suppliers
CustomersGovernment
Economy
Shows that;
Ian Perry Slide 1144221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Connection & Interaction Systems do NOT ‘exist’ in isolation:
they are both ‘connected to’ and ‘interact with’ other Systems.
Connection between Systems MAY be: Permanent or Ad-hoc.
Interaction between Systems, in most cases, MUST be considered to be: A two-way process.
Ian Perry Slide 1244221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
A ‘High Level Systems Diagram’
Customers ABC Ltd.Customer Services
Warehousing
Manufacturing
SupplierI nteraction
Competitors
SuppliersGovernment
Economy
CustomerI nteraction Manufacture
I nteraction
ManufactureCustomerServices
I nteraction
WarehouseI nteraction
WarehouseI nteraction
ManufactureI nteraction
CustomerServices
I nteractionCustomer
I nteraction
Customers ABC Ltd.Customer Services
Warehousing
Manufacturing
SupplierI nteraction
Competitors
SuppliersGovernment
Economy
CustomerI nteractionCustomer
I nteraction ManufactureI nteractionManufactureI nteraction
ManufactureCustomerServices
I nteraction
WarehouseI nteractionWarehouseI nteraction
WarehouseI nteractionWarehouseI nteraction
ManufactureI nteractionManufactureI nteraction
CustomerServices
I nteractionCustomer
I nteractionCustomer
I nteraction
Names the Elements which are components of each Sub-System.
Shows the connections & interactions;
In addition to all of the things that a‘Systems in Context’ diagram depicts, this diagram also;
And
between this System & other Systems (i.e. in the External Environment).
between the Elements of each Sub-System (i.e. in the Internal Environment).
Ian Perry Slide 1344221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
What next? Having previously ‘discovered’;
the main building blocks of the system under investigation, i.e.:
sub-systems & elements. and a number of important External
Environmental factors, e.g.: Customers, Suppliers, etc.
We must now explore the system in much more detail; especially the connection and interaction
of the components of the system.
Ian Perry Slide 1444221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Why? Our aim is to understand (i.e. name) the
Information flows: Connecting the System with its External
Environment, i.e.: Interactions between specific elements (i.e.
individual processes), of specific sub-systems; and other systems that exist in the external environment.
Connecting the sub-systems of the Internal Environment, i.e.:
Interactions between specific elements (i.e. individual processes), of specific sub-systems; and other sub-systems within the internal environment.
Ian Perry Slide 1544221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
A ‘Detailed Information Flow Diagram’
Customer Services
Customers
CustomerI nteraction
Warehousing Manufacturing
WarehouseI nteraction
ManufactureI nteraction
I nformCustomer
CheckStock
ReceiveRequest
Request forProducts
Yes/Delay?
Are ProductsAvailable?
Yes!
Are ProductsAvailable?
Yes/No?
RequestMore
Need n moreof Product x
Manufacture n moreof Product x
Will take us y Days
AwaitingManufacture
Delay
ABC Ltd.
Customer Services
Customers
CustomerI nteraction
Warehousing Manufacturing
WarehouseI nteraction
ManufactureI nteraction
I nformCustomerI nformCustomer
CheckStockCheckStock
ReceiveRequestReceiveRequest
Request forProducts
Yes/Delay?
Are ProductsAvailable?
Yes!
Are ProductsAvailable?
Yes/No?
RequestMore
RequestMore
Need n moreof Product x
Manufacture n moreof Product x
Will take us y Days
AwaitingManufacture
AwaitingManufacture
Delay
ABC Ltd.
The ‘Elements’ are Processes which were ‘hidden’ on the ‘High-level Systems Diagram’.
Processes require ‘Inputs’ (i.e. data) and produce ‘Outputs’ (i.e. information).
Viewing Customer Services as the System.
NB. It is only at this level of detail that we know enough to suggest where IT might be employed effectively?
Ian Perry Slide 1644221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Assignment 1 Deadline = Friday, the 14th of
November Weighting = 50% of Module Marks Requirements:
Part 1 Analyse the current information system, as presented by the Case Study, using appropriate systems diagrams .
Part 2 Discuss where, and how, IT might be used to improve the efficiency and/or effectiveness of a specific part (i.e. sub-system) of the Case Study organisation’s information system.
Ian Perry Slide 1744221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
The ‘CheapChip’ Case Study CheapChip manufacture kitchen cabinets for sale to
customers such as MFI, HomeBase and B&Q. These kitchen cabinets can be produced in a variety of styles,
sizes and colours. Kitchen cabinets are ‘made-to-order’ as a result of a request
from a specific Customer. Raw materials (i.e. Chipboard & Laminate) are
purchased from a number of suppliers. BOTH the raw materials and the finished kitchen
cabinets are stored in a small warehouse. Etc., etc.
I hope you have all READ the CheapChip Case Study VERY CAREFULLY.
Ian Perry Slide 1844221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Marking Guidelines1. Analyse the current information system, as presented by the
Case Study, using appropriate systems diagrams. (70 Marks) For this part of the assignment, you MUST produce TWO systems diagrams, i.e.:
a) A ‘High-level Systems Diagram’; showing the connection between:
specific External Environmental factors and named Elements within the sub-systems of the Internal Environment.
named Elements of the sub-systems of the Internal Environment.
b) A ‘Detailed Information Flow Diagram’, of ONE Sub-system (i.e. from your ‘High-level Systems Diagram’); which details (i.e. names):
the information flowing into, through and out of this Sub-system. There is no Word Count for this part of the assignment, as
all you have to do is deliver two diagrams; DO NOT include anything else.
Ian Perry Slide 1944221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Marking Guidelines (continued)2. Where, and how, might Information Technology be used to
improve the efficiency and/or effectiveness of a specific part (i.e. sub-system) of the Case Study organisation’s information system? (30 Marks)
i.e. With reference to your ‘Detailed Information Flow Diagram’;
discuss the employment of IT in support of the Interaction between this Sub-system:
and its External Environment. and its Internal Environment.
This document should be around 800 to 1000 words in length.
Ian Perry Slide 2044221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Assignment Hand-in Process You MUST hand in TWO copies of each
Assignment for this Module. BOTH copies must be submitted by 3pm of
the submission date. Electronic Copy (via Turnitin)
Class ID: 76870 Password: YZCW (in UPPER CASE) Code Name: E1 – IS Analysis
Paper Copy (to the School Office) With properly completed Front-sheets, including a
Turnitin Paper-ID, in the correct drawer of the wooden filing cabinet outside of CH5.
Ian Perry Slide 2144221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements
Don’t Miss the Deadline! The Assignment 1 Deadline is;
Friday, the 14th of November. There will be NO Lecture next week;
Lectures will re-commence after you have handed-in Assignment 1; i.e. on Friday, the 21st of November.
If you want any help with Assignment 1; then make sure that you attend the next
two Workshop sessions; i.e. Today & next Friday.
Good Luck!