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IS Terms and Introductory Concepts. Contemplative Questions. What is an information system? What is data, information and knowledge? Do we care? Why? What is systems analysis? What is systems design?. What is an information system?.
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Contemplative Questions • What is an information system? • What is data, information and knowledge? Do we care? Why? • What is systems analysis? • What is systems design?
What is an information system? • A system is a group of components working together toward some objective. • An information system is essentially a group of components working together to capture and deliver information to users. • Breaking this down… What are these “components”? • People • Processes • Technology • Hardware • Software • Data • Data flows • Breaking this down… What is “information”?
What is an information? • Data are raw, unprocessed facts. • Information is derived from data. Information is processed data that is organized in a manner that humans can understand. • Knowledge has many definitions. It usually describes “what a person knows or believes to be true” or possibly the process by which a person acquires knowledge. • Identify the following as data, information or knowledge: • 34 • 34 units of product ABC are stored in inventory • IF current inventory is lower than minimum required quantity, THEN reorder the item. • How are each stored in an information system?
Data and Processes • Data • One goal of any IS is to capture data about real world entities such as customers, orders, vendors, etc. • The system and its data supports business processes • Understanding the source and use of data is key to good system design • Various techniques are used to describe data and the relationship amongst data • Data Flows • Groups of data that move and flow through the system 1.5
Data and Processes • Data Flows (Continued) • Include description of sources and destination for each data flow • Processing Logic • Describe steps that transform data and events that trigger the steps 1.6
What is Systems Analysis? • Analysis is the process of breaking down something into smaller components so we can understand them • Systems analysis is the process of breaking down an information system • What term do we use for the reverse process? (Hint: it is not “design”.) ANALYSIS ?
What is Systems Design? • Design can refer to a process (the design process) but also the output of a process (a quality design). It has many definitions but essentially requires creating or applying various features that fit the environment. • Think of how the word “design” is used, e.g. architectural design, housing design, community design, machine design, etc. • Systems design can be thought of a process of adapting technology to solve some sort of organizational problem.
System and Software • Is “system” the same as “software”? • Does Information Systems = Software Engineering? • When we refer to “the software”, we usually mean Application Software. • Software = Programs • Application Software is the result of the systems analysis and design processes. It is designed to support specific organizational functions or processes. • Software can also refer to Systems Software which are also programs, but are used by technical people (not users) to help develop Application Software. • When we refer to “the system”, we are referring to software, hardware, business processes, data and people.