Overview

Preface Our ApproachIn today's information and technology-driven business world, students need to be aware of three key factors. First, it is more crucial than ever to know how to organize and access information strategically. Second, success often depends on the ability to work as part of a team. Third, the Internet will play an important part in their work lives. We developed Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design to address these key factors.We have over 40 years' combined teaching experience in systems analysis and design and have used that experience to create Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design, a text that emphasizes hands-on, experimental learning. We provide a clear presentation of the concepts, skills, and techniques students need to become effective systems analysts who work with others to create information systems for businesses. We use the systems development life cycle model as an organizing tool throughout the book to provide students with a strong conceptual and systematic framework.Internet coverage is provided in each chapter via an integrated, extended illustrative case (Pine Valley WebStore), an end-of-chapter case (Broadway Entertainment Company, Inc.), and a margin feature (Net Search).Many systems analysis and design courses involve lab work and outside reading. This means that lecture time can be limited. Based on market research and our own teaching experience, we understand the importance of using a book that combines depth of coverage with brevity. We have created a 10-chapter book that covers key systems analysis and design content without overwhelming students with unnecessary detail.Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design is characterized by the following themes:Systems development is firmly rooted in an organizational context. The successful systems analyst requires a broad understanding of organizations, organizational culture, and operation. Systems development is a practical field. A coverage of current practices as well as accepted concepts and principles are essential in a textbook. Systems development is a profession. Standards of practice, a sense of continuing personal development, ethics, and a respect for and collaboration with the work of others are general themes in the textbook. Systems development has significantly changed with the explosive growth in databases, data driven architecture for systems, and the Internet. Systems development and database management can be and possibly should be taught in a highly coordinated fashion. The Internet has rapidly become a common development platform for database-driven electronic commerce systems. Success in systems analysis and design requires not only skills in methodologies and techniques but also in the management of time, resources, and risks. Thus, learning systems analysis and design requires a thorough understanding of the process as well as the techniques and deliverables of the profession.Given these themes, this textbook emphasizes the following:A business rather than a technology perspective The role, responsibilities, and mind-set of the systems analyst as well as the systems project manager rather than those of the programmer or business manager The methods and principles of systems development rather than the specific tools or tool-related skills of the field. AudienceMany of you may be familiar with our other Prentice Hall book, Modern Systems Analysis and Design, Second Edition, which targets primarily upper-division undergraduates in Information Systems programs and majors in MS and MBA programs and provides a comprehensive examination of the systems analysis and design process. In this book, Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design, we provide a streamlined examination of the process, making this book useful for courses that either are more project based or take a more introductory focus.The book is written assuming that students have taken an introductory course on computer systems and have experience writing programs in at least one programming language. We review basic system principles for those students who have not been exposed to the material on which systems development methods are based. We also assume that students have a solid background in computing literacy and a general understanding of the core elements of a business, including basic terms associated with the production, marketing, finance, and accounting functions. OrganizationThe outline of the book follows the systems development life cycle, which allows for a logical progression of topics.Part I, "Foundations for Systems Development," gives an overview of systems development and previews the remainder of the book. Part II, "Systems Planning and Selection," covers how to assess project feasibility and build the baseline project. Part III, "Systems Analysis," covers determining system requirements, process modeling, conceptual modeling, and determining the best design. Part IV, "Systems Design," covers how to design the human interface and databases. Part V, "System Implementation and Operation," covers system implementation, operation, closedown, and system maintenance.Appendix A, "Object-Oriented Analysis and Design" and Appendix B, "Rapid Application Development and CASE Tools," can be skipped or treated as advanced topics at the end of the course. Distinctive FeaturesSome of the distinctive features of Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design areThe grounding of systems development in the typical architecture for systems in modern organizations, including database management and Web-based systems. A clear linkage of all dimensions of systems description and modeling-process, decision, and data modeling-into a comprehensive and compatible set of systems analysis and design approaches. Such a broad coverage is necessary for students in order to understand the advanced capabilities of many systems development methodologies and tools that are automatically generating a large percentage of code from design specifications. Extensive coverage of oral and written communication skills including systems documentation, project management, team management, and a variety of systems development and acquisition strategies (e.g., life cycle, prototyping, rapid application development, object orientation, joint application development, participatory design, and systems reengineering). Coverage of rules and principles of systems design, including decoupling, cohesion, modularity, and audits and controls. A discussion of systems development and implementation within the context of management of change, conversion strategies, and organizational factors in systems acceptance. Careful attention to human factors in systems design that emphasize usability in both character-based and graphical user interface situations. Pedagogical FeaturesThe pedagogical features of Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design reinforce and apply the key content of the book. SDLC FrameworkCentral to the development of an efficient information system is the systems development life cycle (SDLC). We highlight four key SDLC steps (Figure P-1):Planning and selection Analysis Design Implementation and operationWe use the SDLC to frame the part and chapter organization of our book. Each chapter opens with an SDLC figure with various parts highlighted to show students how each chapter, and each step of the SDLC, systematically builds on the previous one. Internet Coverage and FeaturesPine Valley Furniture WebStore. A furniture company founded in 1980 has decided to explore electronic commerce as an avenue to increase its market share. Should this company sell its products on-line? How would a team of analysts work together to develop, propose, and implement a plan? Beginning in Chapter 3, we explore the step-by-step process.Broadway Entertainment Company, Inc. This end-of-chapter fictional case illustrates how a video and music retailer develops a Web-based customer relationship management system. This case first appears at the end of Chapter 2 and concludes at the end of Chapter 10.Net Search. Each chapter includes a margin feature entitled "Net Search." Students can access prenhall/valacich to link to a specific site related to the topic within the chapter and complete an exercise.Three Illustrative Fictional CasesPine Valley Furniture (PVF). This case is introduced in Chapter 2 and revisited throughout the book. As key systems developmental life cycle concepts are presented, they are applied and illustrated with this illustrative case. For example, in Chapter 2, we explore how PVF implements the purchasing fulfillment system, and in Chapter 3, we explore how PVF implements a customer tracking system. A margin icon identifies the location of the case. A case problem related to PVF is included in the end-of-chapter material.Hoosier Burger (HB). This second illustrative case is introduced in Chapter 5 and revisited throughout the book. Hoosier Burger is a fictional fast-food restaurant in Bloomington, Indiana. We use this case to illustrate how analysts would develop and implement an automated food ordering system. A margin icon identifies the location of these case segments. A case problem related to HB is included in the end-of-chapter material.Broadway Entertainment Company, Inc. (BEC) This fictional video rental and music company is used as an extended case at the end of each chapter, beginning with Chapter 2. Designed to bring the chapter concepts to life, this case illustrates how a company initiates, plans, models, designs, and implements a Web-based customer relationship management system. Discussion questions are included to promote critical thinking and class participation. Suggested solutions to the discussion questions are provided in the Instructor's Resource CD-ROM. End-of-Chapter MaterialWe have developed an extensive selection of end-of-chapter material designed to accommodate various learning and teaching styles.Key Points Review. This repeats the learning objectives that appear at the opening of the chapter and summarizes the key points related to the objectives.Key Terms Checkpoint. This is designed as a self-test feature. Students match each key term in the chapter with its definition.Review Questions. These test students' understanding of key concepts.Problems and Exercises. These test students' analytical skills and require them to apply key concepts.Discussion Questions. These promote class participation and discussion.Case Problems. These require students to apply the concepts of the chapter to three fictional cases from various industries. The two illustrative cases from the chapters are revisited—Pine Valley Furniture and Hoosier Burger. Other cases are from various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and technology. Solutions are provided on the Instructor's Resource CD-ROM. Margin Term DefinitionsEach key term and its definition appears in the margin. A glossary of terms appears at the back of the book. ReferencesLocated at the end of the text, references organized by chapter list over 100 books and journals that can provide students and faculty with additional coverage of topics. Software Packaging Options Visible Analyst Visio Professional Oracle 8iTo enhance the hands-on learning process, Prentice Hall is planning to package this text with a choice of Visible Analyst, Visio Professional, or Oracle 8i software. Your Prentice Hall sales representative can provide additional information on pricing and ordering. The Supplement PackageA comprehensive and flexible technology support package is available to enhance the teaching experience. Instructor's Resource CD-ROMThe Instructor's Resource CD-ROM features three key components:Instructor's Resource Manual, by Joseph S. Valacich, Joey F George, Jeffrey A. Hoffer, and Lisa Miller, with teaching suggestions and answers to all text review questions, problems, and exercises. Lecture notes on how to use the video series (described below) are also included. Prentice Hall Test Manager, by Lisa Miller (University of Central Oklahoma), includes 1,500 test questions including multiple choice, matching, and essay questions. This computerized test bank is a comprehensive suite of tools for testing and assessment. Test Manager allows instructors to easily create and distribute tests for their courses, either by printing and distributing through traditional methods or by on-line delivery via a local area network (LAN) server. Test Manager features Screen Wizards to assist you as you move through the program, and the software is backed with full technical support. PowerPoint presentation slides, created by John Russo of the Wentworth Institute of Technology, feature lecture notes that highlight key text terms and concepts. Professors can customize the presentation by adding their own slides or editing the existing ones. Web Site (prenhall/valacich)The Companion Web site to Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design includesAn interactive study guide with multiple choice, true/false, and essay questions. Students receive automatic feedback to their answers. Responses to the essay questions, and results from the multiple choice and true/false questions, can be e-mailed to the instructor after a student finishes a quiz. Web-based exploratory exercises, referenced in the text margin as "Net Search" features, are developed on the site. Destinations module (links) includes many useful Web links to help students explore systems analysis and design, CASE tools, and information systems on the Web. PowerPoint presentations for each chapter are available in the student area of the site. A full glossary is available both alphabetically and by chapter, along with a glossary of acronyms. Chat facilities include Message Board and Live Chat. Message Board allows users to post messages and check back periodically for responses. Live Chat allows users to discuss course topics in real-time and enables professors to host on-line classes. A secure, password-protected Instructor's area features downloads of the Instructor's Resource Manual, data sets to accompany the text case studies, and references by chapter. Electronic Data Systems Corporation Video SeriesThis video series, prepared by Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Corporation, consists of four video segments, each approximately fifteen minutes in length, that focus on systems analysis and design. Each includes an introduction and prologue from the text authors. Lecture notes and suggestions on how to use the videos are included in the Instructor's Resource Manual.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.