Outline the structured specification produced by DeMarco’s systems analysis method.
What do you think are the main advantages of specifying a computer-based system by means of such a structured specification?
How adequately, do you think, does this method deal with the human aspects of information systems changes?
According to DeMarco’s structured analysis, it is a study of a problem leading to the specification of a new system prior to implementation of that system. DeMarco also makes it very clear in his book (The Structured Analysis and System Specification – a Yourdon Book) that the most important product of the analysis phase of the life cycle is the specification document. Different organizations are using different terms for this document: Functional Specification, Design Specification, Memo of Rationale, Requirements Document, etc. But DeMarco introduced a new term called the Target Document. The analyst is the third person or the middleman between the user and the development team. The user decides what has to be done and the development team makes it possible. With the Target Document, the analyst will bridge the gap between the user and the development team. The process of putting this document together and getting it accepted by all parties is called specification. Whether the whole specification process leads to a successful result or not will depend on its product which is the target document. As planned, if the Target Document is capable of performing its task, to serve as a model of the new system, that shows the success of the specification process.
The Structured Specification has several components:
1. Data Flow Diagram (DFD): Depicts processes and the flow of...
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... the world. Organizations use more and more computers. Almost every employee knows how to use a computer these days. The techniques discussed in DeMarco’s book the Structured Analysis and System Specification are still applicable and it can be used with the modern technology to achieve the effectiveness. This approach can always be altered to fit (combined with the modern technologies) to the human aspects of information systems changes.
Reference:
01. Structured Analysis and System Specification – Tom DeMarco
02. The Digital Firm – Laudon K.C and J.P Laudon
03. The Study Guide – Information Systems Development and Management (The American University of London)
On the Internet
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Asemi observe that Management Information System (MIS) is one of the information systems that is computer based. Besides, Asemi defines MIS as “an organizational method of providing past, present and project information related to internal operations and external intelligences. It supports the planning, control and operation functions of an organization by furnishing uniform information in the proper time frame to assist the decision makers,” (2011). The aim of MIS is to satisfy the general information need of the entire manager in an organization. Before the advent of computers, the process of decision-making was one that was full of built-in advantages and ad hoc methods. Computers technologies have changed the landscape of the decision-making process completely by making the process less demanding and easy to undertake. The reason for this situation is that information technology has made access to information more automated, efficient, effective, timely, and less ambiguous. Consequently, the ordinary t...
University of Idaho. (2014). Information Technology Services: Appendix 1: ITS Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Retrieved from http://www.uidaho.edu/its/strategic-plan/appendix-i.
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Haag, S. & Cummings, M. (2008). Management information systems for the information age (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
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Keri E. Pearlson and Carol S. Saunders (2010). Strategic Management of Information Systems, 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, New York
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The purpose of the new system that I will develop is to improve on the
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Palvia P., Palvia S. & E. Roche (1996) Global Information Technology and Systems Management. Ivy League Publishing
Perry, B., 2005, Organisational Management and Information Systems. [e-book] Oxford; Elsevier. Available at: Google Books . [Accessed 14 November 2013]