IS Terms and Introductory Concepts

1. IS Terms and Introductory Concepts

2. Contemplative Questions • What is an information system? • What is data, information and knowledge? Do we care? Why? • What is systems analysis? • What is systems design?

3. What is an information system? • A system is a group of components working together toward some objective. • An information system is essentially a group of components working together to capture and deliver information to users. • Breaking this down… What are these “components”? • People • Processes • Technology • Hardware • Software • Data • Data flows • Breaking this down… What is “information”?

4. What is an information? • Data are raw, unprocessed facts. • Information is derived from data. Information is processed data that is organized in a manner that humans can understand. • Knowledge has many definitions. It usually describes “what a person knows or believes to be true” or possibly the process by which a person acquires knowledge. • Identify the following as data, information or knowledge: • 34 • 34 units of product ABC are stored in inventory • IF current inventory is lower than minimum required quantity, THEN reorder the item. • How are each stored in an information system?

5. Data and Processes • Data • One goal of any IS is to capture data about real world entities such as customers, orders, vendors, etc. • The system and its data supports business processes • Understanding the source and use of data is key to good system design • Various techniques are used to describe data and the relationship amongst data • Data Flows • Groups of data that move and flow through the system 1.5

6. Data and Processes • Data Flows (Continued) • Include description of sources and destination for each data flow • Processing Logic • Describe steps that transform data and events that trigger the steps 1.6

7. Data, Data Flow and Logic

8. What is Systems Analysis? • Analysis is the process of breaking down something into smaller components so we can understand them • Systems analysis is the process of breaking down an information system • What term do we use for the reverse process? (Hint: it is not “design”.) ANALYSIS ?

9. What is Systems Design? • Design can refer to a process (the design process) but also the output of a process (a quality design). It has many definitions but essentially requires creating or applying various features that fit the environment. • Think of how the word “design” is used, e.g. architectural design, housing design, community design, machine design, etc. • Systems design can be thought of a process of adapting technology to solve some sort of organizational problem.

10. System and Software • Is “system” the same as “software”? • Does Information Systems = Software Engineering? • When we refer to “the software”, we usually mean Application Software. • Software = Programs • Application Software is the result of the systems analysis and design processes. It is designed to support specific organizational functions or processes. • Software can also refer to Systems Software which are also programs, but are used by technical people (not users) to help develop Application Software. • When we refer to “the system”, we are referring to software, hardware, business processes, data and people.