A DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION COURSE FRAMEWORK: A CURRICULUM PROPOSAL FOR AN EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH TO THE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN AND THE PROJECTS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COURSE SEQUENCE IN THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS MAJOR James Wynne, VCU Gerry Saunders, VCU Roland Weistroffer, VCU Harry Reif, JMU

IS Curriculum Requirements: Core Requirements: –Hardware/Software Design –Programming Languages –Data Communications –Systems Analysis & Systems Design –Database Systems –IS Projects Specialty Tracks: –Application Development –Information Engineering –Network Administration 18 Credit Hours9 Credit Hours

Systems Analysis & Design: INFO 361 –SDLC –Object Oriented Paradigm UML Unified Process Graphical Tools (Rational Rose) –Pedagogical Approach Lecture/Exercises Assignments Project Tests

INFO 361: Unified Process OO Methodology –Incremental & Iterative Life Cycle –Phases: Inception Phase —purpose & feasibility Elaboration Phase —initial requirements & specifications Construction Phase —build/buy operational model Transition Phase —ensuring user requirements are met –Workflows: Requirements, Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing

INFO 361 Primary Focus: Inception & Elaboration Phases –Iterative Refinements of Workflows UML Modeling –Use Cases –Class Diagrams –Sequence & Collaboration Diagrams –Activity Diagrams –State Charts Reinforcement of Concepts through Assignments

Projects in Information Systems: INFO 465 Primary Focus: Elaboration & Construction Phases –Refining Analysis Workflow –Defining Design Specifications –Building Prototypes –Control Classes –Interface Classes –Boundary Classes –Testing

INFO 361/465 Framework INFO 361 INFO 465 The Unified Process Phases and Workflows and the INFO 361 and 465 Course Sequence

Implementing Framework: e-Business Framework Project “Engine” –Predefined Core Classes (Entity, Boundary, Control, Interface) –Library of Working Class Objects Database Prototyping –Visual Basic.NET Incremental & Iterative Process

Courseware Supports : Basic Requirements Prototyping Adding Order Entry, Accounting, & Reporting Functions Creating Screen Interfaces to Provide EDI Trading Functions (ANSI AX.12)—Catalog Sales, Invoicing, Purchasing, Payment Various e-Business Enterprise Domains

Framework Strengths: Learn current systems development tools Learn the UML system design paradigm Experience the complete SDLC Integrate real business process concepts Learn e-business modeling concepts Simulate real-world project team participation Simulate the iterative process of SDLC Learn Project Management skills and tools Integrate programming, database management, data communications, & hardware/software skills

FRAMEWORK LIMITATIONS & CONSTRAINTS: Hardware/software requirements Technical orientation New case development required each year Part-time students participation