Syllabus for
LIS 754
(cross-listed as GBIS 722)
Spring 2009
Completely online course.
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Prof. T. Kanti Srikantaiah Office: (708) 524-6944 Fax: (708) 524-6657 Srikant@dom.edu |
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Dominican University
Graduate School of Library & Information Science
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The objective of this course is to help students gain a solid foundation in the concepts, processes, tools, and techniques in systems analysis and design work, providing a holistic and coherent overview, to conduct information management projects. The information environment will include various models and methodologies used to capture internal and external information, tacit and explicit knowledge, within the context of the organization’s culture. In the information sector, the information professionals must understand how systems analysis and design supports the organization and crucial for the increased organizational performance and to support the business objectives. Students will learn the systems development life cycle, explore techniques to determine the system requirements, develop skills in the analysis of data and processes, apply various systems engineering techniques, and successfully manage the development and implementation of systems in organizations. . Students will be exposed, with hands-on experience on information management projects, to the tools and techniques such as Gantt charts, PERT/CPM diagrams, Activity diagrams, Earned value analysis.
Prerequisites or co-requisites: 701 and 703.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The Course has been designed to meet the following learning objectives. At the end of the course each student will be able to:
a) Define, systems analysis, systems life-cycle, and project management in clear terms
b) Understand the concepts of information environment, systems analysis, design and evaluation through projects
c) Learn the application of tools and techniques of systems work through projects
d) Undertake a project in the area of information management utilizing the skills developed in (c)
e) Understand the project cycle and application of nine knowledge areas as specified by PMI (Project Management Institute)
f) Assist in implementation of projects describing approaches to system development in organizations
g) Work on a course project, emphasizing systems analysis, utilizing the skills learned in the course
COURSE APPROACH
The course will be conducted to develop student's analytical ability in the area of information environment and systems analysis. The content of the course is divided into roughly ten segments as indicated on the schedule. Each segment will serve as link for the following segment. Readings will be provided for each segment and students are highly encouraged to participate in Blackboard discussions. Each student will complete a systems project and submit a written project report at the end of the semester.
GRADING INFORMATION
a) Chapter Discussions (20%)
During the course, you will have to review chapters from Osborne’s textbook and participate in the weekly discussion. If you are starting the discussion, you need to provide the synopsis of the chapter. If someone has already posted synopsis of the chapter, you can react to it by posting your thoughts with additional information. This part of the participation is equivalent to 20% of the course grade.
The points you earn depends on:
1 Posting before deadline
2 Number of interactions
3 Quality of inputs in contents
b) Two Individual Assignments (20%)
There will be two individual assignments together will be equivalent to 20% of the overall grade. These assignments are to be completed by each student individually and should be submitted in the Assignment Folder before the due date to be considered for full points. The Individual Assignments are designed to help to add value to your Individual Project done during the semester.
c) Two Reading Commentaries (20%)
You need to read two articles on project management and/or information environment from the professional literature and submit a one page review of the paper pointing out the learning from the reading onto the Blackboard. Written commentaries should be submitted before the due date for consideration of full points.
d) Systems Project (40%)
Students will undertake an individual project in the information environment area. The project will serve as a practical learning experience in understanding the various tools and techniques in systems analysis. The individual project will substitute your final exam. The project work will be equivalent to 40% of the overall grade: proposal is 5%; Progress report is 10%; and the final written report will be 25%. The project will be comprehensive and help you to apply the learning from the entire course. Students should submit their proposals at the third session. A proposal should not exceed 3 pages in length and a separate page for time line (preferably a Gantt chart) should be included. Among others, the terms of reference for the project may include:
1 Title of the project
2 Rationale for the project
3 Clearly stated objectives
4 Scope and limitations
5 Methods of data collection
6 Deliverables
7 Beneficiaries
8 Time line (Gantt chart)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Active participation in Blackboard will be necessary for successful completion of all assignments including participation in discussions, and in the completion of the systems project. All assignments should be submitted in complete form and on agreed schedule. Any delay in submission of assignments will affect the grading. Student participation is mandatory in all aspects of the course. In general, the following percentages will serve as guidelines in the evaluation of one's performance and relative contribution to the final grade.
GRADING
Grades are based upon the following:
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a) |
Discussion of Readings |
20% |
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b) |
Conference Participation |
20% |
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c)
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Assignments |
20% |
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d) |
Systems project |
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§ Proposal
(properly formatted on agreed § Progress
Report § Written
report |
5%
10% 25% |
REQUIRED TEXT
Osborne, Larry N. and Margaret Nakamura. Systems Analysis for Librarians and Information Professionals. 2nd ed. Englewood, Colo., Libraries Unlimited, 2000.
SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS
Supplementary readings will be recommended at the beginning of each segment outlined on the schedule.
LIS 754: COURSE SCHEDULE
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Class Session |
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Topics |
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Week 1 1/19-1/25 |
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OVERVIEW: · Introduction to the course · Historical development of the field · Working definitions of information systems, systems analysis, systems design, operational research, systems engineering, and systems life cycle
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 1 Assignment #1: Discussion of Systems Analysis Due on March 04 |
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Week 2 1/26-2/1 |
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BACKGROUND AND ISSUES: · The role of systems analyst · Survey of the literature in the field · Project identification and discussion of methodologies · Selection of individual projects
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 2 |
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Week 3 2/2-2/8 |
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SYSTEM PROCESS REQUIREMENTS: · Planning systems development projects · Determining system requirements
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 3 Submission of Project Proposals |
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Week 4 2/9-2/15 |
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SYSTEMS PROJECTS, BIBLIOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS, AND INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT: · Principles of organization of information/knowledge · Analysis of document surrogates, domains, databases and standards
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 4
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Week 5 2/16-2/22 |
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PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT: · Trends and impact in organizations: JIT, TQM, Data Warehousing and Data Mining, Business Process Reengineering, Strategic planning, MIS, DSS, SDI and E-R Systems. Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter5 Reading Commentary # 1 Due |
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Week 6 2/23-3/1 |
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ORGANIZATIONAL CONCERNS: · Technology and the global information economy · Information acquisition, organization, and dissemination
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 6 |
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Week 7 3/2-3/8 |
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SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES: · Flow charts, data flow diagrams, and decision tables · System requirements · Others
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 7 Assignment # 1 Due Assignment # 2 Due on April 15 |
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Week 8 3/9-3/15 |
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Mid-Semester Vacation
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Week 9 3/16-3/22 |
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SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES: · PERT/CPM and others · Designing databases Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 8 Progress Report Due |
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Week 10 3/23-3/29 |
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DESIGNING FORMS AND REPORTS: · Design considerations · User needs assessments · Functional specifications · Designing interfaces and dialogues
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 10 |
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Week 11 3/30-4/5 |
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PRESENTATIONS OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: · Oral briefings · Written report & documentation · Exit interview
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 11 |
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Week 12 4/6-4/12 |
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FINALIZING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS BEFORE IMPLIMENTATION: · Designing distributed and Internet system · Selection, pilot testing, assessment of costs quantitative and qualitative benefits
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 12 Reading Commentary # 2 Due |
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Week 13 4/13-4/19 |
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT AREAS (KNOWLEDGE AREAS): · Integration Management · Scope Management · Time Management · Cost Management · Quality Management · Communications Management · Risk Management · Procurement Management
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 13 |
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Week 14 4/20-4/26 |
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REVIEW OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT CYCLE: · PMI areas of Project Management (Listed under Week 12) · Project and Systems Work in Profit and Non-Profit Organizations
Discussion Board: Osborne Chapter 14 and Chapter 15 Assignment #2 Due |
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Week 15 4/27-4/30 |
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STRATEGIES AND POLICIES: · Implementation Strategies · System Maintenance · Vendor Support Student Written Project Report Submission |
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STUDENT’S PROJECTS: · Review of all sessions · Project Discussions · Presentation of Written Reports · Career Opportunities |
LIS 754
Assignments and Due Dates
1. Weekly Participations (20%)
Every week, you need to read chapters from the textbook assigned in the syllabus and post your understanding of PM and IE in those chapters and interact with other postings facilitating discussion. If you are starting the discussion, you need to provide the synopsis of the chapter. If someone has already posted the synopsis for the chapter, it is your responsibility to react to it with your thoughts with additional information.
2. Two Assignments (20%)
Assignment # 1 (10%)` Due on March 08
Assignment # 2 (10%) Due on April 26
3. Reading Commentaries (20%)
Reading Commentary # 1 (10%) Due on February 22
Reading Commentary # 2 (10%) Due on April 12
4. Systems Project (40%)
Project Proposal Due on February 08
Progress Report March 22
Final Written Report April 30
Dominican University
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
LIS 754: Information Systems Analysis and Design
Prof. T. Kanti Srikantaiah, Ph.D
Assignment 1
DISCUSSION OF SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
This assignment is the first of a series of three individual assignments given in the 15 week course. The outcome of this assignment is to understand the fundamental concepts of Systems Analysis and Design. This assignment will be equivalent to 10% of your grade.
What is Systems Analysis?
a) Consult Google and other websites of your choice for definitions, viewpoints and discussions on systems analysis.
b) Using at least two definitions and viewpoints for systems analysis from the websites, analyze the following elements:
1 What are the two most relevant similarities between the definitions analyzed?
2 What are the two most relevant differences between the definitions? Explain.
3 Identify what is missing or are not clear enough in the discussion and explain your viewpoint.
c) After providing the critique above, carefully write your own one paragraph definition of systems analysis using terms that can be understood by your upper management in the organization. You should present this as if you were making a presentation to them. Please identify the sources that you used in order to formulate your own viewpoint.
d) Elaborate on the importance of having systems analysis in an organization. Establish at least one possible organizational problem that could be solved by the systems analysis in the organization as you understand it.
You can use the outcome of this assignment in your final report.
The length of your submission to this assignment should be about 2 pages (12 point font size and 1.5 line spacing is suggested).
Due on March 08
Dominican University
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
LIS 754: Information Systems Analysis and Design
Prof. T. Kanti Srikantaiah, Ph.D
Assignment 2
SWOT ANALYSIS
This assignment is the second of a series of three individual assignments given in the 15 week course. The outcome of this assignment is to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in an organization from the systems analyst's viewpoint. This assignment will be equivalent to 10% of your grade.
Importance of SWOT Analysis in Systems Analysis
SWOT provides a clear understanding of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in an organization. It is an effective way of examining those four areas to strengthen the organization. It will provide a blueprint pointing out where the organization is strong and where the opportunities exist to capitalize those strengths. The analysis will also reveal what areas in the organization are weak and need to be addressed to improve the existing condition. The analysis will also caution the organization the threats to watch out pointing out what needs to be done in order to sustain.
The purpose of this exercise is to gather, analyze and critically evaluate any system to assist in all areas of decision-making. This exercise is particularly useful in the systems analysis area. Select an organization or a unit and carry out a SWOT analysis collecting information to questions such as (depending on the organization, you may like to add your own questions):
- What are the positive characteristics and advantages?
- How do insiders perceive strengths?
- How do outsiders perceive strengths?
- What are the negative characteristics and disadvantages?
- What insiders think as weaknesses?
- What outsiders think as weaknesses?
- What areas should be avoided?
- What opportunities exist to improve?
- What trends can be followed to benefit?
- What factors block the progress?
- How are the competitors doing?
- Is technology affecting the establishment?
- Do cash-flow problems exist and affecting the growth?
- Do weaknesses affect performance?
- Etc.
Using the matrix provided in the attachment, document strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for your selected organization. Based on the statements you made on the matrix, discuss the systems issues and recommend solutions to capitalize on strengths and opportunities and to control weaknesses and threats. You can use the outcome of this assignment in your final report.
Your submission should be about 2 pages (12 point font size and 1.5 line spacing suggested).
DUE
on April 26
SWOT Analysis
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Strengths |
Weaknesses |
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Opportunities |
Threats |