An information system progresses through several phases as it is developed, used, and finally retired. These phases are referred to as a system development life cycle usually referred to as SDLC.
Planning
Phase Analysis
Phase Design
Phase Implementation
Phase Maintenance
Phase
The original waterfall SDLC, shown above, approaches each phase as a discrete step in the development process. One phase is supposed to be completed before the next phase can begin.
The SDLC is an outline of a process that helps develop successful information systems. The process of planning and building and information system according to the SDLC is referred to as systems analysis and design.
Planning Phase
For creating an information system its important to have a plan. Initial plans for an information system are developed during the planning phase. The planning phase for an information system project includes the following activities:
Assemble the project team
Justify project
Choose development methodology
Develop a project schedule
Produce a Project Development Plan.
The main goal of these activities is to create a Project Development Plan. Before the project proceeds beyond the planning phase, the Project Development Plan must typically be reviewed and approved by the management. This planning document includes:
A short description of a project, including its scope
A justification for the project, which includes an estimate of the project costs and potential financial benefits
A list of project team participants
A schedule for the project, including an outline of its phases
Project planning begins in the planning phase but stretches throughout the entire project.
As the project takes shape, project managers break down the work into tasks and milestones, which can be scheduled and assisted. As tasks are completed, the schedule can be updated and adjusted. Project management software is an effective tool for planning and scheduling. It helps manages track and visualize the complex interactions between tasks. Popular examples include open source software, such as Open WorkBench, and commercial software, such as Microsoft Project.
Analysis phase
The analysis phase begins after the project team selects a development methodology, draws up the Project Development Plan, and receives permission to proceed from management. The goal of the analysis phase is to produce a list of requirements for a new or revised information system.
Typically, a new information system is designed to replace a system or process that is already in place. It is important to study the current system to understand its strengths and weaknesses before planning a new system.
System requirements are the criteria for successfully solving problems identified in an information system. There requirements guide the design and implementation for a new or updated information system. They also serve as an evaluation checklist at the end of the development project, so they are sometimes called success factors. A new or updated information system should meet the requirements the project team defines.
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The project team determines requirements by interviewing users and studying successful information system that solve problems similar to those in the current system. Another way to determine requirements is to construct a prototype as an experimental or trial version of an information system. Often the prototype is not a fully functioning system because it is designed to demonstrate only selected features that might be incorporated into a new information system. A systems analyst shows the prototype to users, who evaluate which features of the prototype are important for the new information system.
After the project team studies the current system and then determines what the new system should do, system requirements are incorporated into a document called a System Requirements Report that describes the objectives for an information system. If management or the project sponsor approves the report, the project can move on to the design phase.
Task 2. Indicate the paragraph where the following ideas are found in the text.
These plans are developed during the planning phase.
You can determine the system requirements by this way.
A list of requirements for a new system should be produced at this phase.
Several phases are required for information process.
A plan is inseparable part of an information system.
There are plenty of tools for diagramming and specifying the current system.
Task 3. Match up the words that are opposite in the meaning.
succeed essential
permission computerized
updated fail
manual destroy
create out out of date
obsolete ban
Task 4. Fill in the blanks choosing from the variants given.
1. Project management software is an effective tool for and scheduling.
a) planning b) maintenance c) analysis d) development
2. A project team is a group of people who are assigned to analyze and an information system.
a) maintain b) develop c) implement d) test
3. Users and analysts work together to identify problems and look for solution in a development process called application design.
a) co-operative b) united c) joint d) mutual
4. A modified waterfall SDLC allows to between SDLC phases
a) overlap b) break c) skip d) stretch
5. A System Requirements Report describes the for a new information system.
a) innovations b) ideas c) objectives d) goals
6. It is difficult to complete the design phase until system have a chance to work with software tools that are purchased in the implementation phase.
a) analysts b) developers c) builders d) administrators
Task 5. Make three-word combinations using the words in columns and them fill in the gaps in the following sentences.
A: information B: source C: source
joint requirements software
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project application plan
open system report
system management project
project development software
describes the objectives for an information system.
is developed during the planning phase.
must be reviewed and approved by the management.
You can use for planning and scheduling.
OpenWork Bench and Microsoft Project are , arent they?
is based on the idea that the best information systems are designed when end-users and system analysts work together as equal partners.
Task 6. Fill in the gaps in the text.
The process of planning and building an information system is referred to as systems ___.The development process is supervised by an organizations Information Systems (IS) department, but the ___ team includes members from other departments as well. System development follows some type of system development ___ cycle (SDLC), which consists of several phases. In the ___ SDLC one phase of the SDLC must be completed before the next phase begins. A project begins with a ___ phase in which a member of the IS department creates a Project Development Plan. The project team then proceeds to the ___ phase, with the goal of producing a list of requirements for a new or revised information system.
