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LaRon Walker - Untrained Users and Information Systems Development

The document discusses the importance of end user involvement in the information systems development process. It states that end users provide key information to developers during analysis, design, testing and implementation. This includes system objectives, user requirements, and interface design. Untrained end users risk providing incorrect information that can lead to project failures or delays. The document also outlines important features of project management tools like CASE that can facilitate communication between developers and end users.

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LaRon Walker
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84 views6 pages

LaRon Walker - Untrained Users and Information Systems Development

The document discusses the importance of end user involvement in the information systems development process. It states that end users provide key information to developers during analysis, design, testing and implementation. This includes system objectives, user requirements, and interface design. Untrained end users risk providing incorrect information that can lead to project failures or delays. The document also outlines important features of project management tools like CASE that can facilitate communication between developers and end users.

Uploaded by

LaRon Walker
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Untrained Users and Information Systems 1

Untrained Users and Information Systems Development

LaRon Walker

Master of Information Technology and Internet Security

November, 2009
Untrained Users and Information Systems 2

Abstract

In today’s world, businesses are constantly looking for new ways to improve business processes and

create more efficient solutions to automate their practices. These companies often reengineer their

processes and develop new Information Systems, which can consist of several components. Some

business use CASE tools to help with development, while others develop their systems internally from

the ground up. Each of these components are also compiled of their own individual parts. During

system development, the Analysis, Modeling and Designing stages are very important, as this is where

the foundation of the system will be defined. Most development strategies involve continual end user

interaction throughout the process. Without this interaction, results could include a failed system

design, and loss of time and money. End users can play vital roles in this stage, as the information they

provide generally become the basis in which the system is built around. Having well trained end user

involvement in the development process is also very important. Well trained end user involvement can

determine the success or failure of the new systems, as security and control measures are also identified

from the information they provide. Having untrained users in this process can introduce incorrect or

incomplete information into the design process, which can later cause flaws in the system design.
Untrained Users and Information Systems 3

Untrained Users and Information Systems Development

LaRon Walker

Master of Information Technology and Internet Security

November, 2009

When designing new information systems, end users are vital in the process. Whether designing

new systems, or reengineering existing ones, continual user interaction throughout the process is key in

the success of the system. This interaction should be from the initial programming stages and

throughout the unit, system and acceptance testing phases. End users can be considered the liaisons

between developers and the user experience. Developers commonly use input from users’ perspectives

to aid them in creating easy to understand and more streamlined systems. This input generally doesn’t

come from just any user, but well trained end-users. Having input from an untrained user during the

development process can be disastrous.

End User Impact on Information System Development

End users can provide a great amount of information to developers throughout the process of

designing information systems. Developers commonly look to this information to help with systems

analysis and design, as well as for testing and implementing new systems after the systems are created.

The foundations of the most successful information designs are usually devised from the gathering and

analyzing of end user input. Users generally provide information to system designers such as:

 System objectives (overall process of business system)

 User information requirements (what information needs to be available)


Untrained Users and Information Systems 4

 How information needs to be accessed

 User Interface (ease of use)

Without the above stated input from users, it would be very hard for designers to develop or reengineer

information systems. This is some of the basic information needed by system designers to rationalize

business processes and help understand the work flow of the business. From this, designers can then

create prototypes and allow small groups of end users to test systems before they are implemented to

larger groups. This helps with end-user development and also helps identify and correct user issues that

may affect the overall performance of the system. End users can also help developers identify areas in

which user training will be needed. This will help structure the training necessary for users that will be

required to obtain before the new system is implemented.

Impact of Untrained User Input in the Systems Development Process

User input is a very valuable component in the development process of information systems,

and comes with great risks. Incorrect or incomplete information provided to designers during the

development process could result in loss of time, money, and even the project itself. Identifying well

trained end users from each department that will be utilizing these new systems can help developers

create intuitive user interfaces. Untrained end users open the risk of providing incorrect information

that may cause designers to add features that are not necessary. Incorrect or incomplete information

could also result in the creation of invalid training materials that present incorrect information to future

end users. This invalid information could also cause a disruption in the development process adding

more time and money to projects, and eventually may create runaway projects or system failures.

CASE Tools and their Usage


Untrained Users and Information Systems 5

Some businesses use CASE (computer-aided systems engineering) tools to help designers from

repetitive development processes, while others develop their own internal systems with the use of

these tools. In a good project management plan, CASE tools are generally used. By using these tools,

developers and project managers can be alerted quickly in the events when issues arise throughout the

projects. They also help developers become more productive by helping remove the redundancy that

comes with system development. CASE tools help developers make changes quickly when making

corrections during testing phases, speeding up the application development process. CASE tools also

enable ways for designers to communicate online with end users during development and testing

phases, allowing real-time feedback to help lower the overall project’s time. Per Kercher (2008), a good

project management software package should include:

 Collaboration

 Project Web Pages

 Accessibility

 Resource Management and Skill-Set Profiling

 Gantt Charts

 Work Breakdown Structures

 Financial Management

 Time/Scheduling

 Knowledge Management

 Analytics and Forecasting

 Risk Management/Portfolio Management

 File Management

 Workflow.
Untrained Users and Information Systems 6

 Project Dashboard and Reporting

With these components in place, developers, project managers, and end users can communicate

efficiently.

Microsoft Project provides all of the above components, and if used, can be a great CASE tool. It

can be integrated with virtually any other platform, offering the overlap and integration of different

technologies. This allows developers and designers to communicate with everyone involved in the

project, and help them make decisions on how to develop ways to control the vision and scope of the

projects. This flexibility also helps ensure that security and control measures are in place to handle

issues involving the misuse of time, money, and information.

Summary

Overall, end user interaction in information systems development plays a key role. From

programming to testing and implementation, well trained end users should be involved. They provided

vital information that designers and developers need in creating solid, intuitive information systems that

create enjoyable user experiences.

References

Kercher, S. (2008, Feburary 1). Project Management Software Selection Guide. Faulkner Information

Services. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from Faulkner Security Management Practices database.

Laudon, K., Laudon, P. (2010). Management Information Systems Managing the Digital Firm (11th ed.).

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

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