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Dr. Honghui DengDr. Honghui Deng

Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

MIS DepartmentMIS Department

UNLVUNLV

MIS 370 System Analysis Theory

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Educational BackgroundEducational Background

Ph.D.,Ph.D., Red McCombs School of Business, University of Red McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, 2002Texas at Austin, 2002

--MSIS, OR/OM, Finance--Co-Supervised by Dr.s William W. Cooper & Patrick Brockett

Visiting ScholarVisiting Scholar, , Red McCombs School of Business, UT-Red McCombs School of Business, UT-Austin, 1997-1999Austin, 1997-1999

--Marketing Department

MBAMBA, , College of Business Administration, Chongqing College of Business Administration, Chongqing University, China, 1994University, China, 1994

--Marketing & Finance

B.EB.E, , Chongqing University, 1990Chongqing University, 1990--Electronic and Computer Engineering

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Working ExperienceWorking Experience

Academic Experience:Academic Experience:Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, School of Business, the University of Nevada, Las VegasSchool of Business, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Research Associate, Research Associate, Center of Risk Management & Insurance, School of Business, Center of Risk Management & Insurance, School of Business, University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin

Instructor, Instructor, MSSTC MSSTC ProgramProgram, , The Innovation Creativity Capital Institute (IC2),The Innovation Creativity Capital Institute (IC2), Visiting Professor, Visiting Professor, Marketing Dept., School of Business, UT AustinMarketing Dept., School of Business, UT Austin

Project Official, Project Official, The Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, ChinaThe Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China

Lecturer, Lecturer, College of Electronic Information Engineering, Chongqing University, ChinaCollege of Electronic Information Engineering, Chongqing University, China

Industrial Experience:Industrial Experience:StrategyStrategy ConsultantConsultant ，， Rapp Collins Inc. of Omnicom GroupRapp Collins Inc. of Omnicom Group Ass. of Director & ConsultantAss. of Director & Consultant ，， IC2 and Texas Tech. IncubatorIC2 and Texas Tech. Incubator

Co-Founder & CEO, Co-Founder & CEO, HHD Consulting LLCHHD Consulting LLC..

Membership:Membership:The Institute of Operations Research and the Management Sciences (The Institute of Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMSINFORMS))Association of Risk Management & InsuranceAssociation of Risk Management & InsuranceAssociation for Information Systems (Association for Information Systems (AISAIS))

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Current ResearchCurrent Research

• IT Strategy & OrganizationIT Strategy & Organization• Knowledge ManagementKnowledge Management• Operations ResearchOperations Research• Management ScienceManagement Science• Risk Management and InsuranceRisk Management and Insurance• Decision ScienceDecision Science• Data Communication & NetworksData Communication & Networks

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Teaching ExperienceTeaching Experience

• Data Communications & NetworksData Communications & Networks• Management Information SystemsManagement Information Systems• Commercialization StrategyCommercialization Strategy • Statistics IStatistics I• Applied Information TechnologyApplied Information Technology• Supply Chain Management & Operation Supply Chain Management & Operation

StrategyStrategy• Project ManagementProject Management

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Agenda for Today

• Information System Project LandscapeInformation System Project Landscape• Overview of syllabus and course Overview of syllabus and course

objectivesobjectives• Student information sheetStudent information sheet• Term Project Group AssignmentTerm Project Group Assignment• Chapter 1, 2 Chapter 1, 2

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New Challenge of Information TechnologyNew Challenge of Information Technology

• The New Trend of Knowledge The New Trend of Knowledge Economy/FirmEconomy/Firm

• Dell Computer Inc.Dell Computer Inc.

• Increasing Digitalization of IT Increasing Digitalization of IT IndustryIndustry

• Amazon. com, CD.com etc. Amazon. com, CD.com etc.

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In the first half of the twentieth century industry In the first half of the twentieth century industry replaced agriculture, in the second half of the replaced agriculture, in the second half of the

twentieth century –“service” has replaced twentieth century –“service” has replaced “manufacturing” -and right now, the knowledge “manufacturing” -and right now, the knowledge

industry is beginning to replace the others. industry is beginning to replace the others.

−−−−George KotzmetzkGeorge Kotzmetzk

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George KotzmetzkGeorge Kotzmetzk

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Stage of Information SystemsStage of Information Systems

• A collection of data is not information. A collection of data is not information. • A collection of information is not knowledge. A collection of information is not knowledge. • A collection of knowledge is not wisdom. A collection of knowledge is not wisdom. • A collection of wisdom is not truth. A collection of wisdom is not truth.

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Project Management FrameworkProject Management Framework

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Motivation to study IS projectMotivation to study IS project

• Information system projects are Information system projects are notorious for budget overrun and notorious for budget overrun and delay.delay.

• More importantly, the challenges More importantly, the challenges of satisfying rising expectations of satisfying rising expectations for information systems require for information systems require better management of project better management of project development. development.

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Motivation to study IS projectMotivation to study IS project

• A 1995 Standish Group study A 1995 Standish Group study found that only found that only – a. 16.2%

– b. 35.4%

– c. 49.3%

– d. 62.9%

of IT/IS projects were successful.of IT/IS projects were successful.

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1. Motivation to study IS project1. Motivation to study IS project

• The same study also found thatThe same study also found that– a. 31%

– b. 22%

– c. 17.3%

– d. 37.5%

of IS projects were cancelled of IS projects were cancelled before completion, costing over before completion, costing over $81B in the U.S. alone.$81B in the U.S. alone.

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Motivation to study IS projectMotivation to study IS project

• Studies have shown thatStudies have shown that– a. 73%

– b. 55%

– c. 42.3%

– d. 31.5%

of all ERP implementations fail!of all ERP implementations fail!

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Motivation to study IS projectMotivation to study IS project

• Of the few companies that actually Of the few companies that actually do implement an ERP system,do implement an ERP system,– _____%

of the implementations run

– _____%

behind schedule and cost

– _____%

more than originally planned. more than originally planned.

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Growth in PMP Certification Growth in PMP Certification

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Chapter 1Chapter 1

THE CONTEXT THE CONTEXT OF SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND OF SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND

DESIGN METHODSDESIGN METHODS

MIS 370 System Analysis Theory

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Information Systems FrameworkInformation Systems Framework

• System System is a group of interrelated components that is a group of interrelated components that function together to achieve a desired result.function together to achieve a desired result.

• Information SystemInformation System ( (ISIS) is an arrangement of people, ) is an arrangement of people, data, processes, and information technology that data, processes, and information technology that interact to collect, process, store, and provide as interact to collect, process, store, and provide as output the information needed to support an output the information needed to support an organization.organization.

• Information technologyInformation technology ( (ITIT) is a contemporary term ) is a contemporary term that describes the combination of computer that describes the combination of computer technology (hardware and software) with technology (hardware and software) with telecommunications technology (data, image, and telecommunications technology (data, image, and voice networks).voice networks).

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INFORMATION SYSTEMSINFORMATION SYSTEMS

People

Data

Software

Hardware

Network

What is an Information System?

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Types of Information SystemTypes of Information System

• A A transaction processing systemtransaction processing system ( (TPSTPS) ) is an information system that captures is an information system that captures and processes data about business transactions.and processes data about business transactions.

• A A management information systemmanagement information system ( (MISMIS) ) is an information system that is an information system that provides for management-oriented reporting based on transaction processing and provides for management-oriented reporting based on transaction processing and operations of the organization.operations of the organization.

• A A decision support systemdecision support system ( (DSSDSS) ) is an information system that either helps to is an information system that either helps to identify decision making opportunities or provides information to help make decisions.identify decision making opportunities or provides information to help make decisions.

• An An executive information systemexecutive information system ( (EISEIS) ) is an information system designed for is an information system designed for top-level managers that integrates data from all over the organization into “at-a-glance” top-level managers that integrates data from all over the organization into “at-a-glance” graphical indicators and controls. graphical indicators and controls.

• An An expert systemexpert system ( (ESES) ) is an information system that captures the expertise of is an information system that captures the expertise of workers and then simulates that expertise to the benefit of nonexperts.workers and then simulates that expertise to the benefit of nonexperts.

• An An office automation systemoffice automation system ( (OASOAS) ) is an information system that supports the is an information system that supports the wide range of business office activities that provide for improved work flow between wide range of business office activities that provide for improved work flow between workers.workers.

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INTERRELATIONSHIPS AMONG SYSTEMS

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IS Stakeholders (I)IS Stakeholders (I)

• A A stakeholderstakeholder is any person who has an interest in an is any person who has an interest in an existing or proposed information system. Stakeholders can existing or proposed information system. Stakeholders can be technical or non-technical workers. They may also be technical or non-technical workers. They may also include both internal and external workers.include both internal and external workers.

• Information workersInformation workers are those workers whose jobs involve are those workers whose jobs involve the creation, collection, processing, distribution, and use of the creation, collection, processing, distribution, and use of information.information.

• Knowledge workersKnowledge workers are a subset of information workers are a subset of information workers whose responsibilities are based on a specialized body of whose responsibilities are based on a specialized body of knowledge.knowledge.

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IS Stakeholders (II)IS Stakeholders (II)

• System ownersSystem owners – an information system’s – an information system’s sponsor and executive advocate, usually sponsor and executive advocate, usually responsible for funding the project of responsible for funding the project of developing, operating, and maintaining the developing, operating, and maintaining the information system.information system.

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IS Stakeholders (III)IS Stakeholders (III)

• System usersSystem users – a “customer” who will use or is affected – a “customer” who will use or is affected by an information system on a regular basis – capturing, by an information system on a regular basis – capturing, validating, entering, responding to, storing, and validating, entering, responding to, storing, and exchanging data and information.exchanging data and information.

– Internal users• Clerical and service workersClerical and service workers• Technical and professional staffTechnical and professional staff• Supervisors, middle managers, and executive managersSupervisors, middle managers, and executive managers

– External users • Remote and mobile users (internal but disconnected)Remote and mobile users (internal but disconnected)

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IS Stakeholders (IV)IS Stakeholders (IV)

• System designerSystem designer – a technical specialist who translates – a technical specialist who translates system users’ business requirements and constraints system users’ business requirements and constraints into technical solution. She or he designs the computer into technical solution. She or he designs the computer databases, inputs, outputs, screens, networks, and databases, inputs, outputs, screens, networks, and software that will meet the system users’ requirements.software that will meet the system users’ requirements.

• System buildersSystem builders – a technical specialist who constructs – a technical specialist who constructs information systems and components based on the information systems and components based on the design specifications generated by the system design specifications generated by the system designers.designers.

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IS Stakeholders (V)IS Stakeholders (V)

• Systems analystSystems analyst – a specialist who studies the – a specialist who studies the problems and needs of an organization to problems and needs of an organization to determine how people, data, processes, and determine how people, data, processes, and information technology can best accomplish information technology can best accomplish improvements for the business.improvements for the business.

– A programmer/analyst (or analyst/programmer) includes the responsibilities of both the computer programmer and the systems analyst.

– A business analyst focuses on only the nontechnical aspects of systems analysis and design.

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Systems Analyst SkillsSystems Analyst Skills

• Working knowledge of information technologyWorking knowledge of information technology

• Computer programming experience and expertiseComputer programming experience and expertise

• General business knowledgeGeneral business knowledge

• General problem-solving skillsGeneral problem-solving skills

• Good interpersonal communication skillsGood interpersonal communication skills

• Good interpersonal relations skillsGood interpersonal relations skills

• Flexibility and adaptabilityFlexibility and adaptability

• Character and ethicsCharacter and ethics

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Other StakeholdersOther Stakeholders

• External Service Provider (ESP)External Service Provider (ESP) – a systems analyst, – a systems analyst, system designer, or system builder who sells his or system designer, or system builder who sells his or her expertise and experience to other businesses to her expertise and experience to other businesses to help those businesses purchase, develop, or help those businesses purchase, develop, or integrate their information systems solutions; may integrate their information systems solutions; may be affiliated with a consulting or services be affiliated with a consulting or services organization.organization.

• Project ManagerProject Manager – an experienced professional who – an experienced professional who accepts responsibility for planning, monitoring, and accepts responsibility for planning, monitoring, and controlling projects with respect to schedule, controlling projects with respect to schedule, budget, deliverables, customerbudget, deliverables, customer satisfaction, satisfaction, technical standards, and system quality.technical standards, and system quality.

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Business Drivers for ISBusiness Drivers for IS

• Globalization of the EconomyGlobalization of the Economy

• Electronic Commerce and BusinessElectronic Commerce and Business

• Security and PrivacySecurity and Privacy

• Collaboration and PartnershipCollaboration and Partnership

• Knowledge Asset ManagementKnowledge Asset Management

• Continuous Improvement and Total Quality Continuous Improvement and Total Quality

ManagementManagement

• Business Process RedesignBusiness Process Redesign

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Technology Drivers for ISTechnology Drivers for IS

• Networks and the InternetNetworks and the Internet

• Mobile and Wireless TechnologiesMobile and Wireless Technologies

• Object TechnologiesObject Technologies

• Collaborative TechnologiesCollaborative Technologies

• Enterprise ApplicationsEnterprise Applications

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Technology Drivers for ISTechnology Drivers for IS--Video 12. Communication in the future--Video 12. Communication in the future

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Enterprise Applications - ERPEnterprise Applications - ERP

• Enterprise Resource PlanningEnterprise Resource Planning (ERP) – a (ERP) – a software application that fully integrates software application that fully integrates information systems that span most or all of information systems that span most or all of the basic, core business functions. the basic, core business functions.

• An ERP solution is built around a common An ERP solution is built around a common database shared by common business database shared by common business functions. functions.

• Representative ERP vendors:Representative ERP vendors:– SSA– Oracle/Peoplesoft– SAP AG

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Enterprise Applications - SCMEnterprise Applications - SCM

• Supply Chain Management Supply Chain Management (SCM) – a software (SCM) – a software application that optimizes business processes for application that optimizes business processes for raw material procurement through finished raw material procurement through finished product distribution by directly integrating the product distribution by directly integrating the logistical information systems of organizations logistical information systems of organizations with those of their suppliers and distributors. with those of their suppliers and distributors.

• Representative SCM vendors:Representative SCM vendors:– i2 Technologies– Manugistics– SAP– SCT

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Enterprise Applications - CRMEnterprise Applications - CRM

• Customer Relationship Management Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – a (CRM) – a software application that provides customers with software application that provides customers with access to a business’s processes from initial access to a business’s processes from initial inquiry through post-sale service and support. inquiry through post-sale service and support.

• Representative CRM vendors:Representative CRM vendors:– SAP– BroadVision– E.piphany– Kana– Amdocs– Oracle/Peoplesoft– Siebel

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Enterprise Applications - EAIEnterprise Applications - EAI

• Enterprise Application Integration Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) – the process (EAI) – the process and technologies used to link applications to and technologies used to link applications to support the flow of data and information between support the flow of data and information between those applications.those applications.

• MiddlewareMiddleware – software (usually purchased) used to – software (usually purchased) used to translate and route data between different translate and route data between different applications. applications.

• Representative EAI vendors:Representative EAI vendors:– BEA Systems– IBM (MQSeries)– Mercator Software– TIBCO Software

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System Development ProcessSystem Development Process

• System development process System development process – a set of activities, – a set of activities, methods, best practices, deliverables, and methods, best practices, deliverables, and automated tools that stakeholders use to develop automated tools that stakeholders use to develop and maintain information systems and software.and maintain information systems and software.

• A general problem-solving approach A general problem-solving approach 1. Identify the problem.2. Analyze and understand the problem.3. Identify solution requirements or expectations.4. Identify alternative solutions and choose the “best” course of

action.5. Design the chosen solution.6. Implement the chosen solution.7. Evaluate the results. If the problem is not solved, return to step

1 or 2 as appropriate.

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System Development Process OverviewSystem Development Process Overview

• System initiationSystem initiation – the initial planning for a project to – the initial planning for a project to define initial business scope, goals, schedule, and define initial business scope, goals, schedule, and budget.budget.

• System analysisSystem analysis – the study of a business problem – the study of a business problem domain to recommend improvements and specify domain to recommend improvements and specify the business requirements and priorities for the the business requirements and priorities for the solution.solution.

• System designSystem design – the specification or construction of – the specification or construction of a technical, computer-based solution for the a technical, computer-based solution for the business requirements identified in a system business requirements identified in a system analysis.analysis.

• System implementationSystem implementation – the construction, – the construction, installation, testing, and delivery of a system into installation, testing, and delivery of a system into production.production.

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Project and Process ManagementProject and Process Management

• Project managementProject management – the activity of – the activity of defining, planning, directing, monitoring, defining, planning, directing, monitoring, and controlling a project to develop an and controlling a project to develop an acceptable system within the allotted time acceptable system within the allotted time and budget.and budget.

• Process managementProcess management – the ongoing activity – the ongoing activity that defines, improves, and coordinates the that defines, improves, and coordinates the use of an organization’s chosen use of an organization’s chosen methodology (the “process”) and standards methodology (the “process”) and standards for all system development projects.for all system development projects.

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Chapter 2Chapter 2

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFORMATION SYSTEM BUILDING BLOCKSBUILDING BLOCKS

MIS 370 System Analysis Theory

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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

• Differentiate between front- and back-office information Differentiate between front- and back-office information systems.systems.

• Describe the role of information systems architecture in Describe the role of information systems architecture in systems development.systems development.

• Identify three high-level goals that provide system owners and Identify three high-level goals that provide system owners and system users with a perspective of an information system.system users with a perspective of an information system.

• Identify three technologies that provide system designers and Identify three technologies that provide system designers and builders with a perspective of an information system.builders with a perspective of an information system.

• Describe four building blocks of the KNOWLEDGE goal for an Describe four building blocks of the KNOWLEDGE goal for an information system.information system.

• Describe four building blocks of the PROCESS goal for an Describe four building blocks of the PROCESS goal for an information system.information system.

• Describe four building blocks of the COMMUNICATIONS goal Describe four building blocks of the COMMUNICATIONS goal for an information system.for an information system.

• Describe the role of network technologies as it relates to Describe the role of network technologies as it relates to Knowledge, Processes, and Communications building blocks.Knowledge, Processes, and Communications building blocks.

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Front- and Back-Office ISFront- and Back-Office IS

• Front-officeFront-office information systemsinformation systems support business support business functions that extend out to the organization’s functions that extend out to the organization’s customers (or constituents).customers (or constituents).– Marketing– Sales– Customer management

• Back-officeBack-office information systemsinformation systems support internal support internal business operations of an organization, aw well business operations of an organization, aw well as reach out to suppliers (of materials, equipment, as reach out to suppliers (of materials, equipment, supplies, and services). supplies, and services). – Human resources– Financial management– Manufacturing– Inventory control

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Information Systems ArchitectureInformation Systems Architecture

• Information systems architectureInformation systems architecture - a - a unifying framework into which unifying framework into which various stakeholders with different various stakeholders with different perspectives can organize and view perspectives can organize and view the fundamental building blocks of the fundamental building blocks of information systems.information systems.

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Focuses for Information SystemsFocuses for Information Systems

• Data/KnowledgeData/Knowledge — the raw material used — the raw material used to create useful information.to create useful information.

• ProcessProcess — the activities (including — the activities (including management) that carry out the mission management) that carry out the mission of the business.of the business.

• CommunicationCommunication — how the system — how the system interfaces with its users and other interfaces with its users and other information systems.information systems.

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Views of Data/KnowledgeViews of Data/Knowledge

• System owners’ viewSystem owners’ view– Interested not in raw data but in information that adds new business knowledge

and information that help managers make intelligent decisions.– Business entities and business rules.

• System users’ viewSystem users’ view– View data as something recorded on forms, stored in file cabinets, recorded in

books and binders, organized into spreadsheets, or stored in computer files and databases.

– Tend to focus on the business issues as they pertain to the data.– Data requirement – a representation of users’ data in terms of entities, attributes,

relationships, and rules independent of data technology.

• System designers’ viewSystem designers’ view– Data structures, database schemas, fields, indexes, and constraints of particular

database management system (DBMS).

• System builders’ viewSystem builders’ view– SQL– DBMS or other data technologies

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Views of Process (I)Views of Process (I)

• System owners’ viewSystem owners’ view– Concerned with high-level processes called business

functions.– Business function – a group of related processes that

support the business. Functions can be decomposed into other subfunctions and eventually into processes that do specific tasks.

– A cross-functional information system – a system that supports relevant business processes from several business functions without regard to traditional organizational boundaries such as divisions, departments, centers, and offices.

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Views of Process (II)Views of Process (II)

• System users’ viewSystem users’ view

– Concerned with work that must be performed to provide the appropriate responses to business events.

– Business processes – activities that respond to business events.– Process requirements – a user’s expectation of the processing

requirements for a business process and its information systems.

– Policy – a set of rules that govern a business process.– Procedure – a step-by-step set of instructions and logic for

accomplishing a business process.– Work flow – the flow of transactions through business processes

to ensure appropriate checks and approvals are implemented.

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Views of Process (III)Views of Process (III)

• System designers’ viewSystem designers’ view– Concerned with which processes to automate and how to

automate them– Constrained by limitations of application development

technologies being used– Software specifications – the technical design of business

processes to be automated or supported by computer programs to be written by system builders.

• System builders’ viewSystem builders’ view– Concerned with programming logic that implements automated

processes– Application program – a language-based, machine-readable

representation of what a software process is supposed to do, or how a software process is supposed to accomplish its task.

– Prototyping – a technique for quickly building a functioning, but incomplete model of the information system using rapid application development tools.

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Views of Communication (I)Views of Communication (I)

• System owners’ viewSystem owners’ view– Concerned with communications scope of an

information system.• WhoWho (which business units, employees, customers, (which business units, employees, customers,

and partners) must interact with the system?and partners) must interact with the system?• WhereWhere are these business units, employees, are these business units, employees,

customers, and partners located?customers, and partners located?• WhatWhat other information systems will the system other information systems will the system

have to interface with?have to interface with?

• System users’ viewSystem users’ view– Concerned with the information system’s inputs and

outputs.

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Views of Communication (II)Views of Communication (II)

• System designers’ viewSystem designers’ view– Concerned with the technical design of both the user and the

system-to-system communication interfaces.– Interface specifications – technical designs that document how

system users are to interact with a system and how a system interacts with other systems.

– User dialogue – a specification of how the user moves from window to window or page to page, interacting with the application programs to perform useful work.

• System builders’ viewSystem builders’ view– Concerned with the construction, installation, testing and

implementation of user and system-to-system interface solutions.

– Middleware – utility software that allows application software and systems software that utilize differing technologies to interoperate.