The Importance Of Designing An Information System

Introduction

Once an organization decides to implement an information system, there are four components that must be considered. The information system includes two sub-systems, technical subsystem and a social subsystem. The technical subsystem includes technology and business processes (McCubbrey, 2009). Within the social system, there are two parts: people and organizational structure. This paper will discuss each of these components and its importance when designing and implementing an information system.

Technical System

Information Technology Information technology includes the “hardware, software, and telecommunication equipment used to capture, process, store, and distribute information” (McCubbrey, 2009, p. 224). Hardware refers to the physical components within a computer system. This encompasses a variety of devices including the CPU (central processing unit), hard drives, keyboards, scanners, printers, and bar code readers (Storing and processing information, 2016). Selecting the appropriate devices is important so the business has the devices required to handle all aspects of its business needs.

Software is the set of instructions written in a unique code that controls the operation and how it

People are key to the success of most information systems. In most organizations, people are the “most important and most expensive business-system component” (Carroll, 2014). Knowledge, skills and attitudes can control the quality and quantity of system output. Therefore, companies must provide sufficient training and time for employees to become comfortable with a system. Furthermore, including employees in the design of the information system will encourage them to accept the system and to ensure it is implemented successfully (Allen and Kilvington,