Unit 5: Information Systems Development
Businesses have diverse needs. While software packages for managing information exist, most software is not "plug-and-play" ready for most business applications. IT departments, in conjunction with representatives from all lines of business, must work together to develop and implement information system solutions. The IS development process can range from the simple to the extremely complicated. Managers often find themselves disagreeing about what information is most important and what is worth developing. Trade-offs between financial resources, time, and the capabilities of current information systems can lead to frustration. For this reason, IS development is a very important function within a business.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 6 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- explain the overall process of developing a new software application;
- explain the differences between software development methodologies;
- differentiate among types of programming languages used to develop software;
- describe the major phases in the development of websites and mobile applications; and
- identify the four primary implementation policies.
5.1: IS Development Methodologies
This chapter focuses on the concepts surrounding the development of information systems. It begins with a discussion of software development methodologies, then covers programming languages and tools, and finishes with a review of implementation methodologies. As you read, reflect upon all the different pieces that must come together in order for a system to be developed.
- Read this article, which compares the two broad processes for developing software. Then, select one of the methodologies (SDLC, RAD, Agile, Lean) you read about in Chapter 10 and do further research on the state of the art for that particular methodology. Write a four-six paragraph essay that describes the methodology you chose, your research findings, and the types of projects that use that methodology.
5.2: IS Implementation Methodologies
- This study examines how selected British hospitals made the transition to electronic health records. The paper discusses how the hospitals planned and executed the transition. Pay special attention to the unexpected impacts of implementing new software.
- This follow-on article moves the discussion forward by adding further dimension to the issue of unintended consequences from the perspective of the United States health system.
Unit 5 Assessment
- Receive a grade
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.