Pre- or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite: INFM 603

Catalog Description

INFM 613 Systems Analysis and Planning
Formal process for planning and designing an information technology system, including identifying users and other stakeholders, analyzing work processes, preparing system specifications, conducting feasibility and usability studies, and preparing for implementation. Approaches to analyzing system components and functions. Measurement and evaluation of system performance.

Extended Description

Contemporary information systems are extremely complex and varied. Consequently, developing effective and robust information systems call for a systematic analysis and planning effort on the part of system development teams. Systems analysis and design process spans the entirety of the information system lifecycle, which starts with the conception of the need for a specific information system and ends with the total replacement of the system with a next generation one. INFM 613 Systems Analysis and Planning course will introduce the systems analysis and design process in its entirety, and focus on each major step within the process. System analysis and design is still both an art and a science. The course will cover both the science and the art components by introducing essential tools that are used for systems analysis and design, and by offering perspectives that the students can transfer to team projects within the scope of the MIM program and to real life projects they will venture as information professionals after finishing the MIM program.

Statement of Goals

After completing this course, students will:

• Understand the nature importance of the systems analysis and design process
• Identify and model basic business processes and requirements
• Design database structures based on business requirements
• Conceptualize and design basic user interfaces for communicating with systems
• Identify necessary stages and tools of software development for a given system design
• Plan implementation and support strategies for a given system
• Take part and satisfactorily perform in a systems analysis and design project team in a real world setting

Topics

• Systems Analysis and Design Process
• Stakeholder Analysis and User Assessment
• Business Process/Requirements Analysis and Modeling
• Data Design
• Interface Design
• Systems Development
• Systems Implementation
• Systems Support
  

Teaching/Instructional Methods

Lecture, class discussion, and one or more case studies that will be the basis for a series of group projects.