Year
2023Credit points
10Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unitPrerequisites
NilIncompatible
ISYS616 Systems Analysis and DesignTeaching organisation
3 hours per week for twelve weeks or equivalent.Unit rationale, description and aim
With particular focus on computer-based technologies, this unit teaches the methods, techniques and tools that organisations can use to determine how they might better conduct their business. It concentrates on familiarising students with the type of business situation for which a technology-based solution can be useful. It teaches a systematic methodology for analysing particular situations and determining what role, if any, information technologies can play in addressing a business need.
The unit then focuses on methods and techniques with which to:
- Articulate business requirements for a technology solution;
- Specify alternative approaches for acquiring technology capabilities needed to address business requirement, and;
- Specify requirements for an information systems solution.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
LO1 - critically examine alternative system acquisition methods, including the use of packaged systems (such as ERP, CRM, SCM, etc.) and outsourced design and development resources (GA4, GA5)
LO2 - apply the principles of OO approach to analyse and model a real-life business problem by evaluating and synthesising relevant information from stakeholders (GA5, GA8)
LO3 - develop UML models for analysis and design of an information system (including functionality for process, data and OO approach) using appropriate tools and technologies (GA5, GA10)
LO4 - develop advanced skills to model logical system characteristics (user interface design, design of data and information requirements) as well as ACS code of ethics in association with the role of system analyst (GA3, GA5)
LO5 - prepare a clear and concise business requirement documents and convert them into technical specifications. (GA5, GA10)
Graduate attributes
GA3 - apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making
GA4 - think critically and reflectively
GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession
GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information
GA10 - utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively.
Content
Topics covered:
- Context of and different approaches to systems analysis and design
- Identification of opportunities for IT-enabled organisational change
- Analysis of business requirements
- Structuring of IT-based opportunities into projects, project specification and prioritisation
- Analysis of project feasibility and fact-finding techniques for requirements discovery
- Modelling system requirements with use cases
- Data modelling and analysis and process modelling
- Object-Oriented analysis and modelling using UML
- Input and output design and prototyping and user interface design
- Application architecture and modelling
- Methods of specifying and comparing approaches to systems implementation
- Basic principles of business process analysis and modelling
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Mode: Attendance mode
Duration: 12-week semester or equivalent. Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings, exams, and assessment preparation.
Students will have access to all primary learning materials online through LEO, along with formative and summative assessments, all of which will be available online, to provide a learning experience beyond the classroom. While there are no formal classroom lectures for this unit, students will be required to attend weekly three-hour workshops, which will include lecture and specific tasks related to achievement of the unit learning outcomes.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy for this unit allows you to demonstrate a critical mindset in evaluating the impact of technology and apply this knowledge to a variety of work situations. In order to develop this level of capability, in the first two assessments you will demonstrate your knowledge on how to create an ePortfolio in modelling diagrams and how you engage in online discussion forums and unit materials. The final assessment in the unit allows you to demonstrate the depth of your knowledge and understanding of work in a technology enhanced world through a final examination. The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for you to demonstrate your achievement of each learning outcome.
In order to pass this unit, you are required to
- achieve an overall mark of at least 50%
- attempt all three assessment tasks
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for you to demonstrate your achievement of each learning outcome.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes | Graduate Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
Task 1: ePortfolio 1 The goal of this assessment is to demonstrate the theoretical understanding of fundamental concepts of Systems Analysis and Design through reflection and collaboration, and practical understanding of modelling. | 25% | LO2 | GA5, GA8 |
Task 2: ePortfolio 2 This assessment aims to continue cultivating and reinforcing a reflective habit and peer interaction that would induce deep learning, to assess theoretical and practical understanding of Systems Analysis and Design subject throughout the semester. Using the feedback received as part of task 1 and evaluating other sources of appropriate learning materials, students have the chance to revise their work and present their work covering both “what is required to be solved” and “how is the problem solved” using relevant IS tools. | 35% | LO2, LO3 | GA5, GA8, GA10 |
Task 3: System Analysis and Design Case Study The purpose of this assessment is to test the students’ grasp of the theoretical aspects of the unit and their ability to apply the theoretical knowledge to real-life business problems in a given scenario (case study). The case study will outline a current business problem. Students should effectively apply critical and reflective thinking, ethical perspectives and relevant system analysis tools and techniques, to analyse the business requirement in the given case study and design a prototype solution. In addition to the system analysis and design document, students are required to demonstrate a summary of their work in a short video presentation. | 40% | LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5 | GA3, GA4, GA5, GA10 |
Representative texts and references
Satzinger J, Jackson RB & Burd S 2016, Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 7th edn, Course Technology, Boston, MA.
Beydeda S, Book M & Gruhn V 2010, Model-Driven Software Development, Springer, New York.
Shelly G & Rosenblatt HJ 2011, Systems Analysis and Design, 9th edn, Course Technology, Mason, OH.
Whitten J & Bentley LD 2008, Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design, McGraw Hill Higher Education, New York.