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Information Systems Case Study Identify a small information system problem (or opportunity) in an organisation you are familiar with OR that is described in a written case study, and carry out the following tasks: 1

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Information Systems Case Study Identify a small information system problem (or opportunity) in an organisation you are familiar with OR that is described in a written case study, and carry out the following tasks: 1. Using appropriate modelling techniques, specify the scope of the problem, and provide an analysis of the current reality and any requirements for a solution. 2. Using appropriate modelling techniques, design and specify a prototype database information system solution. 3. Develop and document the prototype. 4. Outline a set of realistic implementation plans for the new information system. Discuss issues (organizational, human, technical, contextual) that might affect the successful implementation of the system. Further Guidance Use the following guidelines and suggested structure to guide you in your allocation of time and effort within the assignment. The essay/report should include: Task 1: Identification and Analysis [30%] • Brief introduction including a brief background to the case study (a short overview of the organisation including your relationship to the organisation, and the rationale and objectives for the information system). • Project Identification and Analysis: provide a definition of the problem/opportunity. Use a CATWOE checklist and Root Definition to identify the stakeholders, the problem, the rationale and any issues or constraints. A Rich Picture may also help to express the boundaries of the system, the soft issues at play and the information flow at present. Use a DFD to capture the present situation and identify the problem areas. Include an analysis of the User Groups. • Project Assessment: provide some assessment of the feasibility and risk of the project, using at least one suitable method from the literature. • Suggest a suitable approach to develop the system (ie. What type of methodology would be appropriate, given the system size and complexity and the organisational context?). Task 2: Design [20%] • Design 1: provide a conceptual process model for the new information system and designs of its information requirements, supported by relevant modelling tools and diagrams. Include data and information flow design, process/task design, input and output design, and data entity design. • Design 2: provide a suggested technical solution and design including database table design, some discussion of choice of hardware and software. Task 3: Development [20%] • Prototype Development: design and develop a prototype of the database aspect of the system using MS Access. (NB: You are not required to implement a fully working information system.) Include as appendices in your assignment any outputs from the database detailing data table definitions, query/report definitions, and so on. Also include details of sample data used and testing carried out (with outputs). • Prototype Documentation: discuss the purpose of the prototype (what kind of evaluation/testing it addresses) and any resulting design changes made. Provide a brief functional overview of the developed prototype database system and a brief user manual on how to use the system. Task 4: Implementation Issues [30%] • Implementation: include plans for obtaining the chosen hardware and software; for training; for installation of the new information system; and for monitoring and evaluation of the new information system. To be realistic, the plans must include some kind of time-scale and details of who is responsible. • Challenges: discuss the human, organisational, technical and contextual issues and challenges that may affect the implementation of the system, and suggestions on how to address these. Include details of whether/how user participation may be accommodated. In Task 4 You must specify and discuss implementation plans for the system covering, development issues (who will develop it, how long should it take etc), handover plans (from old system to new), training plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, ongoing maintenance plans. Additionally you should discuss challenges and issues that you feel will be relevant to the successful introduction of the system. This will include context specific issues relating to the human, technical, organisational and contextual factors. Marks for this assignment will be divided across the four main elements as indicated above. Your effort and, to some extent, the amount you write should be similarly divided equally. Remember to relate to the literature whenever possible. This is particularly important for Tasks 1 and 4. Should be more than 30 references with Harvard Manchester style 4000 words (+/-10%) (excluding references and appendices).