WRIV201 Unit Study Guide

Unit 1: Information Systems Development

Unit Learning Objectives

The unit learning outcomes are to:
1. Explain the purpose of the system development life cycle (SDLC) and identify its six core processes
2. Discuss why it is important to use a formal process, such as the SDLC, for developing information systems
3. Describe the purpose of systems analysis and design when developing information systems

Understanding Systems Concepts

Before we can introduce you to the process of how information systems are developed, it is important that
you understand some basic systems concepts.

What is a System?
The word System is derived from Greek word “Systema”, which means an organized relationship between
any set of components to achieve some common cause or objective. One can also say that it is a collection of
interrelated components that function together to achieve some outcome.

What is a Project?
Any undertaking, carried out individually or collaboratively and possibly involving research or design, that is
carefully planned to achieve a particular aim. A project typically has a beginning and an end and. By
using projects, we can plan and do our activities, for example: build a garage, run a marketing campaign,
develop a website, organize a party, go on vacation, graduate a university with honours, or whatever else we
may wish to do.

What is the difference between a Computer application (app) and an Information system?
An app is a computer software program that executes on a computing device to carry out a specific set of
functions. An information system is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and
provide as output the information needed to complete business tasks. It is much broader in scope than an
“app” and it includes databases and related manual processes.

Watch the video What is an Information System under Video Resources

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Software Development
For a good introduction to the development of information systems, watch the
video Information Systems Development under Video Resources

You might be asking “What is the basic purpose of a course (module) in systems analysis and design?” Well, it
is to provide you, the student, with the necessary tools
1. To understand and document the business need, i.e. requirements,
2. To define a solution,
3. To work in a team to build the solution and
4. Launch the application / information system so that it is in productive use.

(Satzinger, Jackson, & Burd, 2016)

(Satzinger, Jackson, & Burd, 2016)

Software (Systems) development comprises the steps undertaken to create, modify, or maintain such an
application / information system.

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Unit 1: Information Systems Development

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is the formal process that consist of all activities required to build,
launch, and maintain an information system during software development.

Why do we need to follow a formal process?

1. It makes it clear what the problem or goal is.

It is easy to get ahead of yourself when taking on a large project. With the SDLC you can clearly see the
goals and the problems so that the plan is implemented with precision and relevance.
2. Proper Direction of Project
With the help of SDLC, the development team can get a completed guideline on how the project will be
developed and what will be the essential factors in the project. The success or the failure of the project
entirely depends on the software development process. Therefore, creating a software product with the
use of a proper SDLC approach can result in having affordable software by fulfilling the end-user’s
expectations.
3. Better Scope Management
The software development life cycle motivates the development teams whose project scope keeps
changing by providing an accurate roadmap to refer to. It helps in managing the scope of the development
process and avoid development issues. By following the SDLC approach, planning, controlling, and
analysing the project scope becomes easier.
4. The project is designed with clarity.
Project members cannot move from one stage to another until the prior stage is completed and signed off
on by the project manager. A formal review is created at the end of each stage, which allows the project
manager to have maximum management control.
5. It will be properly tested before being installed.
The installation in a project that is executed using an SDLC has the necessary checks and balances so that
it will be tested with precision before entering the installation stage.
6. If a key project member leaves, a new member can pick up where they left off.
The SDLC gives you a well-structured and well-documented paper trail of the entire project that is
complete with records of everything that occurs. If paperwork is missing or incomplete, the new project
member will have to start from the beginning and even possibly change the project to make sense of it.

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Unit 1: Information Systems Development

With a well-designed SDLC, everything will be in order so that a new project member can continue the
process without complications.
7. The project manager can properly manage a project if deliverables are completed on time and within the
budget.
8. The project can continuously loop around until it is perfect. The stages are meant to feed back into the
earlier stages, so the SDLC model provides the project with flexibility.

SDLC Core Processes

There are many approaches to the SDLC, however, every approach includes 6 core processes:
1. Identify the problem or need and obtain approval
2. Plan and monitor the project
3. Discover and understand the details of the problem or need
(Analysis)
4. Design the system components that solve the problem (Design)
5. Build, test, and integrate system components
6. Complete system tests and then deploy the solution

In this module we will focus specifically on the 1st three core processes
and they will be discussed in more detail in later Units.
WRIV202 in semester 2 focuses in more detail on core processes 4 – 6.

The importance of systems analysis and design in Systems Development

The key to successful development of information systems is through proper systems analysis and design in
order to understand what the business requires from the information system.

Systems analysis are those activities that enable a person to understand and specify what an information
system should accomplish. It is a process of collecting and interpreting facts, identifying the problems, and
decomposition of a system into its components. During system analysis a system or its parts are studied in
order to identify its objectives. System Analysis specifies what the system should do.

Systems design are those activities that enable a person to define and describe in detail the system that solves
the need. It is a process of planning a new business system or replacing an existing system by defining its

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components or modules to satisfy the specific requirements. System Design focuses on how to accomplish
the objective of the system.

Test Yourself
A class activity will be completed during the Lecture session on Monday, 27 Feb 2023 [could be online or in
the Lab – Info to be communicated via email]

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