MI703: Computer Information Systems Goals Goals Logistics Logistics Technical Topic: Analyzing Application Development Technical Topic: Analyzing Application Development Case Study: Analysis Strategy Case Study: Analysis Strategy

Goals 1) “Management understanding” of key technical principles, ideas and products (via “technical briefs”, online chapters) 1) “Management understanding” of key technical principles, ideas and products (via “technical briefs”, online chapters) 2) Strategic Management Issues (via text chapters) 2) Strategic Management Issues (via text chapters) 3) Experiences in implementing IS projects and dealing with IS issues (via case studies) 3) Experiences in implementing IS projects and dealing with IS issues (via case studies) 4) Research and presentation experience (via term project) 4) Research and presentation experience (via term project)

Logistics Online Resources (text, cases) Online Resources (text, cases) Web Page Web Page “Assessment” “Assessment” 11 classes => take home midterm 11 classes => take home midterm Office Hours Office Hours Project Teams and Topics Project Teams and Topics Case Discussions Case Discussions Computer Center Tour? Computer Center Tour?

Application Development Aspects Service Layers (Vertical) Service Layers (Vertical) Application Tiers (Horizontal) Application Tiers (Horizontal) System Development Life Cycle System Development Life Cycle Phases of Technology Assimilation Phases of Technology Assimilation

Application Service Layers Presentation: Input & Output Application Business Logic Subsystems / Services & Functions Common Business Logic Servers & Operating Systems Network (Each layer defines the environment and standards for the next higher layer)

Tiers PresentationLogicStorage Network ClientServer

“4-Tier” Model Client (Browser) Application Server DBMS Storage Web Server “SQL” “html”

Application Development Life Cycle Analysis Design Build/Buy Monitor Implement

Methods for Applying SDLC Classic “Waterfall” Model Classic “Waterfall” Model –Static environment –Minimal unknowns Rapid Application Design Rapid Application Design –Iterative –Delivery in stages –Insufficient knowledge for accurate design Prototyping Prototyping –Focus on presentation, not process –Customer-based apps

Analysis Basics Focus on business need, not technology Focus on business need, not technology Entity-relationship Diagrams for data Entity-relationship Diagrams for data Dataflow diagrams for logic Dataflow diagrams for logic Define Scope Define Scope Define Success Define Success

Design Basics Focus on the solution, “blueprint” Focus on the solution, “blueprint” Considers environmental factors Considers environmental factors –Enterprise standards –Staff talents, availability Data-centric: Normalization Data-centric: Normalization Process-centric: Flowchart / Pseudo-code Process-centric: Flowchart / Pseudo-code Combining the two: Objects Combining the two: Objects

Build / Buy Issues Current move to “buy and integrate” Current move to “buy and integrate” Build only where control, differentiation are key Build only where control, differentiation are key All applications must coordinate upwards and to peer applications All applications must coordinate upwards and to peer applications Trade off of ability to maintain versus control over maintenance Trade off of ability to maintain versus control over maintenance Exception handling is 80% of work Exception handling is 80% of work “Workflow” is often the major issue “Workflow” is often the major issue Testing and QA Implications Testing and QA Implications

Implementation Issues Process Changes Process Changes Training, reward mechanism Training, reward mechanism Business process change must accompany technology change Business process change must accompany technology change Data lifespan includes creation, operational use, analytical use, archiving Data lifespan includes creation, operational use, analytical use, archiving

Monitor / Measurement Baseline Statistics Baseline Statistics Aggregate “good news”, detail “bad news” Aggregate “good news”, detail “bad news” Compare to Analysis goals Compare to Analysis goals Basis for upgrade, acceptance Basis for upgrade, acceptance

Phases of Technology Assimilation Identify Identify –What technical abilities are required? Learn Learn –How do they work? Control Control –How will we use them? Distribute Distribute –Commit to the new technology!

Case Analysis Strategy Scope Scope –Data vs Process Strategy and Tactics Strategy and Tactics –Consistency at each level Efficiency vs Flexibility Efficiency vs Flexibility –Parallels investment strategies Excellence vs “Satisficing” Excellence vs “Satisficing” –Elasticity of return Adherence to phases of “technology assimilation” Adherence to phases of “technology assimilation” –Is IT incorporated into business practices?

Scope Discussion What are the weaknesses of providing technical solutions: What are the weaknesses of providing technical solutions: –Overly centralized ? –Overly distributed ? –Provide an example to match each observation.

For Next Week Technical Brief: Networking Concepts Technical Brief: Networking Concepts Nestle Case study (see web page) Nestle Case study (see web page) Online Text Chapter Online Text Chapter –Understanding Software: A Primer for Managers: