Information Systems Unit 4 Course Outline
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This unit focuses on techniques, procedures and strategies to develop, implement and evaluate a proposed networked information system. Students explore the technical, human, procedural, economic and management factors that need to be considered when undertaking the development, implementation and evaluation phases of the systems development life cycle.

In Unit 3 students explored the development phase of this life cycle by partially developing a software specification. In Unit 4 students are expected to study all of the stages of software development associated with the production of purpose-designed software. Students continue to study the programming language selected in Unit 3.

AREAS OF STUDY

1.   Software engineering

This area of study focuses on the nature and purposes of a range of tools and methods to produce purpose-designed software. All stages of software development are studied; analysis, design, development, testing, documentation and evaluation. Students continue to use the programming language studied in Unit 3.

This area of study will include:

·         stages of software development;
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methods of organising files to suit particular software needs;
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factors affecting access of data;
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factors affecting software design;
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high-level programming languages as methods for implementing software design;
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forms and uses of data structures to organise similar and dissimilar pieces of data;
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types and purposes of algorithms;
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methods for designing, developing and testing algorithms;
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applications and purposes of system programs;
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nature and types of user documentation;
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causes of conflict between developers of purpose-designed software and end-users.

2.   Information systems engineering (development, implementation and evaluation)

This area of study focuses on the systems development life cycle phases of development, implementation and evaluation. In Outcome 1, students explore the development phase through the creation of purpose-designed software in response to a design specification. In Outcome 2 the focus is on those technical, human, procedural, economic and management factors that need to be considered when undertaking the phases of development, implementation and evaluation.

This area of study will include:

·         the systems development life cycle;
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factors influencing the acquisition of specific hardware and software components;
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testing techniques to ensure that the components operate as intended and to gain acceptance of an information system;
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methods for implementing a proposed information system;
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types of system support documentation to assist with the implementation of a proposed information system;
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training requirements for the users of a proposed information system;
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procedures to govern the relationships between the components of information systems;
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project management tools and techniques;
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criteria for evaluating the performance of a proposed information system;
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strategies for evaluating the performance of a proposed information system.

3.   Information systems: networks

This area of study focuses on the components of networked information systems, and how the application of these systems in a global environment result in advantages and disadvantages for different stakeholders.

This area of study will include:
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types and capabilities of networks and network topologies;
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network operating systems;
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purposes for organisations using networked information systems in a global environment;
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types of problems associated with using networked information systems in a global environment;
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advantages and disadvantages for organisations and society in using information systems in a global environment.