(Part II) Prepared by: Dr. Savanid (Nui) Vatanasakdakul 1 Additional material: Stair and Reynolds 2008- Chapter 8 via e-reserve 2 2 Understand the concept of system development methodologies Describe the advantages and disadvantages of traditional system development, prototyping, joint application design, rapid application development, and end-user development life cycles. Evaluate the alternatives to in-house system development. 3 Traditional development life cycle Prototyping Joint application design Rapid application development CASE tools Object-oriented development 4 3 Forces staff to be systematic by going through every step in a structured process. Enforces quality by maintaining standards. Has lower probability of missing important issues in collecting user requirement. 5 May produce excessive documentation. Users are often unwilling or unable to study the specifications they approve. Takes too long to go from the important issues to a working system. Users have trouble describing requirements for a proposed system. 6 4 An iterative approach to the systems development process. Starts with only a general idea of user requirements, and develops models of the system until its right. During each iteration, requirements and alternative solutions to the problem are identified and analyzed. Users are encouraged to try the prototype and provide feedback. 7 8 Stair and Reynolds (2006) 5 A small scale working model of the entire system. For example, sample report or output screen After the first preliminary model is refined, the second, third models are introduced until the complete system is developed. 9 Speeds up the development approach Gives the users the opportunity to clarify their information requirements Useful in the development of decision support systems and executive information systems Work well for ill-defined problems Help clarify user requirements Promote close working relationship between systems developers and users. 10 6 Can result in an excess of iterations Time consuming If the process lacks of documentation, this can leads to problems after the system becomes operational and need maintenance. Not practical with large number of users. 11 A group-based method for collecting user requirements and creating staged designs. Process for data collection and requirements analysis in which users, stakeholders, and IS professionals work together to analyze existing systems, propose possible solutions, and define the requirements of a new or modified system. A group normally require one or more top- level executives who initiate the JAD process. 12 7 All users jointly define and agree upon systems requirements. Often uses group support systems (GSS) software to foster positive group interaction. Often used within the system analysis and system design stages of the SDLC. 13 Easy for management to understand Greater support for, and acceptance of new systems Saves time Produces higher quality systems Easier implementation Lower training costs 14 8 Very difficult to get all users to JAD meetings. Potential to have dysfunctional groups. All the problems that may be caused by any group process. 15 A systems development approach that employs tools, techniques, and methodologies designed to speed application development. A method that can combine JAD, prototyping, and integrated CASE tools, to rapidly produce a high- quality system. It is an iterative approach similar to prototyping, which emphasizes on the speed of development. For example, IBM has a RAD tool called Rational Rapid Developer, to make developing large Java programs. 16 9 Reduce paper-based documentation Source code are automatically generated Can create applications that are easier to maintain and modify Speeds the development process Reduces development costs Active involvement of users in the development process 17 System maybe built quickly, which may result in lower quality. May result in systems with limited functionality and adaptability for change 18 10 What is Rapid Application Development (RAD)? How does RAD differ and/or similar from Prototyping? 19 20 11 Any systems development project in which the primary effort is undertaken by a combination of business managers and users. Users perform ad hoc programming to solve business problems. 21 Factors that drive the trends toward increased end-user computing and end-user development More powerful, inexpensive desktop hardware Increasingly diverse software capabilities Increasingly computer literate population Apparent cost savings 22 12 Directly meets user requirements Bypasses the information systems department and avoids delays User controls the application and can change it as needed Increased user acceptance of new system Frees up IT resources and may reduce application development backlog 23 Creates lower-quality systems because an amateur does the programming May eventually require consulting and maintenance assistance from the IT department System may not have adequate documentation Poor quality control System may not have adequate interfaces to existing systems. 24 13 Factors to consider during make-or-buy decision On-time On-budget Full functionality User acceptance Favorable costs-to-benefits ratio Low maintenance Scalability Integration with other systems Minimal negative cross-impacts Reusability 25 Software obtained via subscription Software resides on ASPs systems Software is accessed via Web or VPN Subscriber does not have to host software on existing computer systems Updates and bug fixes are provided by the ASP ASP can provide help-desk support 26 14 An alternative to developing and installing internal AIS is to outsource them. Under outsourcing, a company needing data processing services hires an outside organization to handle all or part its data processing services. The degree to which a company outsource may range from routine assistance with a single application to running the entire IT department. 27 When organisations may not be able to manage technology as well as firms that specialise in managing IT When IT is not a core competency area When it is cheaper to outsource When organisations do not have skilled IT staff that can keep technology up to date. 28 15 Financial Avoidance of heavy capital investment Improved cash flow and cost accountability Improved cost benefits from economies of scale and from sharing computer, housing, hardware, software and personnel Less need for expensive office space 29 Technical Access to new information technologies Ability to achieve technological improvement more easily Greater access to technical skills not available internally Faster application development and placement of IT application to service 30 16 Management Concentrate on core business activity Improve company focus Elimination of need to recruit and retain competent of IT staff 31 Quality Improve performance accountability Improve quality accreditation Flexibility Quick response to business demands Ability to handle IT peaks and valley more effectively 32 17 The company may lose control of its information system and be exposed to possible abuse. It could be difficult for a company to break its contract, resulting in inflexibility. Over the long run, a company may lose sight of its information needs and how the system can provide it with competitive advantage. 33 Irreversibility of the outsourcing decision Possible breach of contract by the vendor or its inability to deliver, loss of control over IT decisions Loss of critical IT skills Vendor lock-in Some costs are hidden: vendor search and contracting, transitioning fro in-house IT to a vendor 34 18 Stair, R. and Reynolds G. (2008), Fundamentals of Information Systems, 3 rd Edition, Thompson, USA Benson, S. and Standing, C. (2008), Information Systems: A Business Approach, 3 rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York 35