Business Analysis Modelling and Design

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

200 hours

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Aims

This subject introduces the fundamental business analysis processes to identify information systems requirements, leading to the specification and design of information systems or the selection of commercial off-the-shelf packages to support business processes. Students will gain experience in the tools and techniques for the initial stages of these analysis and design cycles.

This subject is in the lower core of the Master of Information Systems program but is valuable for anyone wanting to learn about business analysis leading to capitalising on technology use in business processes.

Indicative Content

Topics include requirements gathering tools and techniques, information and process modelling, and systems development methodologies.

Examples of projects that students complete are:

• A requirements report analysing a business process
• A report to recommend ways forward for improving the situation analysed in the requirements report
• Critiques of reports

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

1. Describe and apply requirements gathering techniques
2. Use appropriate modelling techniques to best understand a business context and need for an information system
3. Write and criticise reports documenting information systems requirements
4. Select and justify using a systems development methodology to solve a business problem
5. Initiate a case that justifies the purchase of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) packages

• One group based report (35%) with 4 to 5 group members of approximately 4500 words due mid semester, requiring 45-50 hours of work per student. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 2 and 3 are addressed in this report.
• One group based report (30%) with 4 to 5 group members of approximately 3500 words due end of semester (30%), approximately 35-40 hours of work per student. ILOs 2 to 5 are addressed in this report.
• One group based oral presentation of the second report (5%) with 4 to 5 group members of 10 minutes duration due in week 12, requiring 5-10 hours of work per student.
• Two critical reviews of reports (30%) of approximately 1000 words each due mid semester and end of semester, requiring 45-50 hours of work. ILO 3 is addressed in the critical reviews.

Avison, D. and Fitzgerald, G. 2006 Information Systems Development: Methodologies, Techniques and Tools, McGraw-Hill

A reading pack will be made available.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• Clear thinking
• Report writing skills
• Enhanced ability to work in a team
• Presentation skills