Fall 2018 CSIS2200 - 003

Assignment #1 – Information Systems and Project Plan

Due: September 26, 2018

1. {5 marks – p39 – 5} Identify the main components of an information system. What is a

mission- critical system?

The main components of an information system are hardware, software, data, processes and
people. A mission critical system is a vital system to that of an operation of a company.

2. {5 marks – p39 – 6} Compare enterprise computing systems to transaction processing

systems. Provide one example of each type at Douglas College?

Enterprise computing system Transaction processing system

An enterprise computing system
integrates all functions performed in
an organization into single software
with database management
functions.
Increased efficiency, cost reduction
and helps with decision making
An enterprise computing system
works at the organizational level
Transaction processing (TP)
systems process data generated by
day to day business operations.
(TP) systems are efficient as they
process a set of transaction-related
commands as a group rather than
individually
(TP) systems works at the
organizational level

Examples of Enterprise computing system:

- Douglas College’s Bookstore inventory control system
- Douglas College Student Union services system
- Douglas College International Student accounting system

Examples of Transaction processing system

- Douglas College’s student tuition billing system
- New Douglas College’s student order processing
- Douglas College’s medical insurance claim processing

3. {5 marks – p39-8} Describe three systems development tools and three development
methods?

The three systems development tools are modeling, prototyping, and computer-
aided systems engineering (CASE) tools. Modeling produces a graphical
representation of a concept or process, whereas prototyping involves the creation of
an early working model of the information or its components. A systems analyst uses
CASE tools to perform various systems development tasks.

The three development methods structured analysis, which is a traditional method

that still is widely used, object-oriented analysis (O-O), which is a more recent
approach that many analysts prefer, and agile methods, also called adaptive
methods, which include the latest trends in software development.
 4. {5 marks – p67-5} Describe the six steps in a typical preliminary investigation. Why should
an analyst be careful when using the word problem?

Step 1: Understand the problem or opportunity.

Step 2: Define the project scope and constraints.
Step 3: Perform fact-finding: analyze organization charts, review documentation, observe
operations and conduct a user survey.
Step 4: Analyze usability, cost, benefit and schedule data.
Step 5: Evaluate Feasibility.
Step 6: Present Results and Recommendations to Management.

Because it solves problem talents and they are essential for analysts. Also, they need to be
comfortable with challenge and refinement.

5. {15 marks} Develop a project plan for the Douglas College Anvil Centre Project (DCACP)

Task # Task Name Duration Start Date

1 Systems Planning – Preliminary Investigation 5 days 'Sept 12, 2018
2 System Analysis – Requirements Modeling 5 days 'Sept 19, 2018
3 System Analysis – Enterprise Modeling 10 days 'Sept 26, 2018
4 System Design – Data Design 5 days 'Oct 10, 2018
5 System Design – User Interface Design 10 days 'Oct 10, 2018
6 System Implementation – Application Development 15 days 'Oct 24, 2018
7 System Implementation – Testing 5 days 'Nov 14, 2018
8 System Implementation - User Documentation 5 days 'Oct 24, 2018
9 System Operation and Support 5 days 'Nov 21, 2018

When tasks must be completed one after the other, they are called dependent tasks (see page 81) –
that is, Systems-Analysis Requirements Modeling depends on Systems Planning – Preliminary
Investigation because Systems-Analysis Requirements Modeling cannot start until
Systems Planning – Preliminary Investigation is completed:

Systems Planning - Preliminary Investigation -> System Analysis – Requirements Modeling

System Analysis – Requirements Modeling -> System Analysis – Enterprise Modeling
System Analysis – Enterprise Modeling -> System Design – Data Design
System Analysis – Enterprise Modeling -> System Design – User Interface Design
System Design – User Interface Design -> System Implementation – Application Development
System Design – User Interface Design -> System Implementation - User Documentation
System Design – Data Design -> System Implementation – Application Development
System Implementation – Application Development -> System Implementation - System Testing
System Implementation - Testing -> System Operation and Support
 {3 marks} Create a Gantt chart for the DCACP
{3 marks} Create a PERT chart for the DCACP.
{3 mark} What is a critical path?

A critical path is a series of tasks that, if delayed, would affect the completion date of the overall
project.

{3 mark} What are the tasks in the DCACP critical path?

-Task 1, Task 2, Task 3, Task 5, Task 6, Task 7 and Task 9.

{3 mark} What tasks have slack time?

-Task 4 and Task 8.