OSRA Technological Solutions for Business

Organizational & End-user Information Systems

Curriculum Model

Organizational & End-user Information Systems Planning and Design

Course Description

This course covers the planning stage of OEIS development with particular emphasis upon employee and work group interaction. The ability to define and solve OEIS problems is emphasized. Problem recognition skills are stressed as well as analysis of OEIS through a group field-based project. A systems design is completed by the students with special attention given to inter- organizational goals. A systems mode of thinking concerning organizational issues is emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisite: OEIS-1 OEIS Concepts.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

understand the value and application of systems thinking in the planning and design of OEIS
apply project management methodology to the planning and design of a simple end-user information system: define the scope of a project; define project objectives; identify and gather needed information; select the tools, tactics, and activities (including CASE tools) required to develop an end-user information system; select or develop a solution
synthesize end-user systems study results
prepare a project proposal and discuss it in an oral presentation

Course Approach

This course is designed to provide students with theoretical foundations and practical experience in planning and designing OEIS. The conceptual foundations include change management and job redesign. Students learn standard project methodology and systems concepts. They develop assessment tools, and collect and analyze data in an actual field project. Students could present the results of their study in oral presentations followed by open class discussion, and where necessary, modify their results. Study teams and work group methods could be used in this course both as learning and project completion techniques. Work groups could prepare a final written report of their field project.

Course Content

1. OEIS and Organizational Relationships (20% of course) Skill levels 1 and 2

Material covered: Systems thinking and its value in the planning and designing of an OEIS; discussion of the value of cultural influences and diversity; strategic planning to include the role of the mission statement, critical success factors, and systems objectives; an examination of change management, functional relationships of the organization and organizational structure employed in accomplishing the goals of the business enterprise.

2. Basic End-user Structure and Work Groups (10% of course) Skill level 2

Material covered: End-user structures and groups/teams, job (re)design considerations; analysis of intergroup and interdepartmental relationships (stresses the interconnectedness of the business organization as a system).

3. Project Methodology for OEIS (30% of course) Skill level 2

Material covered: Defining the scope of the project; identifying stakeholders; defining the objectives of the system; measurement of productivity and tangible benefits vs. soft system costs; assembling a project team; documenting the current system; introduction to structured analysis and related techniques; internal development; request for proposals; analysis of system requirements; selecting or developing solutions; design considerations.

4. Planning Tools Tactics, and Activities (30% of course) Skill levels 2 & 3

Material covered: The construction of data collection instruments such as interview guides, questionnaires, observation guides, time or document logs, and work sampling; use of CASE tools; business processing reengineering concepts; data collection and evaluation; use of flow charts and data flow diagrams; group field study (OEIS course project).

5. Synthesizing the OEIS Study Results (10% of course) Skill levels 2 & 3

Material covered: Comparison of system requirements to departmental, divisional, and organizational needs; presentation of results of systems project (oral presentation and written report recommending system design to meet organizational needs).

Resources

References include major systems and data processing journals as well as trade magazines describing some of the latest technology. Periodicals might include: Datamation, Infosystems, Journal of Systems Management, Management Technology, MIS Week, Modern Office Technology, The Home Office, The Office

Recommended textbooks include:

Amadio William. (1993). Systems development: A practical approach. Santa Cruz, CA: Mitchell Publishing, Inc.

Eliason, A. L. (1993). Systems development: Analysis, design, and implementation. Glenview, IL: Brown Higher Education.

Hershey, G., Kizzler, D., Levy, J. D., Miller, R. A., & Wohl, A. (1992). Planning and implementing end-user information systems. Cincinnati, OH: South-Western Publishing Co. (OSRA endorsed text).

Kendall, K. E., & Kendall, J. E. (1992). Systems analysis and design. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Publishing Co.

Regan, E. A., & O'Connor, B. N. (1994). End-user information systems: Perspectives for managers and information systems professionals. New York: Prentice Hall/Macmillan Publishing Co.

Senn, J. A. (1993). Analysis and design of information systems. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.

Whitten, J., Bentley, L., & Barlow, V. (1994). Systems analysis and design methods. Santa Cruz, CA: Mitchell Publishing Co.

Software productivity tools might include: Lotus Freelance, Harvard Graphics, Harvard Project Manager, Microsoft PowerPoint, FlowChart 3, Microsoft Access, Paradox for Windows, Excelerator (Index Technologies), Design Aid (Nastec), Information Engineering Workbench (Knowledge Ware), Analyst/Designer Tools (Yourdon)

The OSRA Curriculum Revision Group

page design by Preston Lathrop
last revised: December 23, 1996