Related Course/s:

Aims & Objectives:

By the end of the unit of study, students should be able to:

• Understand the nature and characteristics of business problems and their organisational contexts.
• Position information systems analysis within complex organisational contexts.
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of some of the major, contemporary problem solving methodologies in business information systems analysis, and their application to business analysis and information analysis.
• Identify and appreciate contemporary issues and problems associated with information requirements analysis in an organisational.
• Understand business analysis as the means of identifying, clarifying and defining business information requirements.
• Use business analysis as the basis for constructing, implementing and assessing business information systems.
• Demonstrate ability to use appropriate tools and techniques (software) to support different problem solving and analytical approaches

Teaching Methods:

Assessment:

Generic Skills Outcomes:

The graduate attributes which relate to this unit of study help to produce graduates who:

• Are capable in their chosen professional areas, vocational or study areas.
• Are adaptable and manage change having a capacity for flexibility and curiosity.
• Operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Are aware of local and international environments that influence the context of their professional work (eg socio-cultural, economic, natural).
• Are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community.
  

Content:

• Nature of problem in organisations, the organisational context of business and information analysis.
• Nature of systems, and systems thinking for organisational problem solving.
• Business analysis and the systems development life cycle (SDLC).
• Tools, techniques and skills for business & information analysis: communication, recording, assessment.
• Hard vs soft approaches to intervening in organisational problem contexts.
• Soft OR approaches, and their relevance to business and information analysis.
• Sociotechnical theory and its relevance to business and information analysis.
• Reflective systems development approaches.
• Issues & challenges in business and information analysis, and the criticality of these initial phases to system success.
• Information as social/cultural /political symbol & signal, concept of myth and metaphor in business and information analysis, and systems development and acquisition.
• Interpersonal issues & communication difficulties between and amongst analysts & users.

Reading Materials: