Chapter 11 -- Approaches to Systems-Building

(This page last modified July 23, 1997. Please send comments to H.E. Dunsmore)

Teaching Objectives

• To present the various alternative approaches for building information systems: the traditional systems life cycle, software packages, prototyping, end-user development and outsourcing.
• To point out the strengths and limitations of each approach to building systems.
• To provide students with the knowledge of when to use each approach to develop an information system.
• To describe management issues raised by the alternative systems development methods.

Key Terms

Systems lifecycle
Project definition
Systems study
Design
Programming
Installation
Post-implementation
Prototyping
Prototype
Iterative
End-user interface
Application software package
Customization
Request for Proposal (RFP)
End-user development
Information center
Outsourcing
Development methodology
Structured
Structured analysis
Data flow diagram (DFD)
Process specifications
Structured design
Structure chart
Structured programming
Module
Sequence construct
Selection construct
Iteration construct
System flowcharts
Object-oriented software development
Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE)
Software reengineering
Reverse engineering
Forward engineering

Chapter Outline

11.1 The Traditional Systems Lifecycle

Stages of the Systems Lifecycle

Limitations of the Lifecycle Approach

11.2 Alternative System-Building Approaches

Prototyping

Application Software Packages

End-User Development

Outsourcing

11.3 System-Building Methodologies

Structured Methodologies

Object-Oriented Software Development

Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE)

Software Reengineering

Internet Resources

Saab-Scania and Computer Integrated Interactive Manufacturing (CIIM) of Avalon Software are discussed in the Window on Technology on page 346 in the textbook. Note that in September 1996, Industrial and Financial Systems (IFS) acquired the assets of Avalon Software.

Ford of Europe and Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) are discussed in the Window on Management on page 351 in the textbook.

Air Canada and Texas Instruments' CASE tools are discussed in the Window on Organizations on page 360 in the textbook.

An excellent reference on most of what appears in this chapter is A State of the Art Report: Software Design Methods from the Data & Analysis Center for Software (DACS).

More information on Prototyping may be found at Software Prototyping: An Overview.

More information on Outsourcing appears in Business Case News' Managing Costs and Benefits: Outsourcing, Training, and Services.

A wealth of information on Object-Oriented Design and Programming and Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) is available from the Data & Analysis Center for Software (DACS).

The Software Technology Support Center has a Software Reengineering Website.

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