CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - NORTHRIDGE
Department of Accounting & Information Systems

IS 431 : SYSTEMS ANALYSIS & DESIGN

Fall 2019 Semester

Instructor:             Dr. DAT- DAO NGUYEN
Office:                 BB 3221 (Business Building)
Office Hours:       - Tuesday from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
                           - Thursday from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
                           - or by appointment (not for pickup unclaimed classwork !!!)                    
e-mail:                    datdao.nguyen@csun.edu
Home page:             http://www.csun.edu/~dn58412/

SCHEDULE OF CLASS MEETINGS

       Class Number                                            Time                                             Location
         13488  (Day Class)            Tuesday / Thursday 11:00 AM - 12:15 AM        BB 1117
         13951  (Evening Class)          Thursday 7:00 PM - 9:45 PM                        BB 1119
		 
Due to logistic/admin issues, you have to attend class meetings, submit assignmensts/term project, 
and write exams in the session that you are enrolled in  * NO EXCEPTIONS *

Why This Course

Information System (IS) is a combination of hardware, software, and telecommunication network to assist business people in solving their business problems in a specific context. The main responsibility of an IS specialist/consultant NOT a programmer, that is NOT how to build a database, BUT why and what tables/attributes are needed, NOT how to connect node A to node B with a network technology BUT why a business needs it. He/she should always concern about cost/benefit, added values of technical alternatives in a competitive business environment. The IS program intends to equip future IS specialists with necessary knowledge of technology (database, networking, programming, etc…) in order to effectively evaluate technical alternative solutions for an IS project. If IS students, while preparing for their future carrer, are too much obsessed with Information Technologies (IT) , their career in Information Systems may be at risk as their technical work could be outsourced overseas for lower cost and better quality, once the specifications / requirements for a business solution have been identified by the other IS specialists/consultants.

Systems Analysis and Design (SA&D) is core of Information Systems discipline, which requires the mastering a set of established system development concepts and principles as well as emerging tools and techniques. The goal of study is to understand the requirements of a specific business the create a blueprint of system functions and system data for designing and implementing an effective information system for a specific business entity to gain competive advantages..

What to Be Covered

This course covers the traditional structured analysis and design approach - Systems Development Life Cycle- and the emerging, prevailing Object Oriented approach. The course offers you with a variety of efficient analysis and design tools from past successful practices as well as those from new effective developments in the field to identify/analyze business requirements, model/design related systems functions and data for implementing an effective and efficient information system for a business.entity

This course integrates the knowledge acquired in previous or concurrent business and information system courses in the analysis and design of effective information systems for businesses. The course presents a variety of methodologies and techniques in modern systems design and analysis such as Process Modeling, Data Modeling, and Object Modeling. After completing the course, you should be able to analyze the requirements, design necessary functions and related data, evaluate the feasibility of alternative technical solutions within specific constraints of a business in terms of technical, operational, econmic, schedule and risks in a professional system proposal.

What Do You to Get from This Course

After successful completing this course, you should be able:

Understand the stages/phases/activities of a standard systems development process and its variations;
Identify the requirements of an information system to assist a specific business entity;
  Identify and model the functions/activities/tasks for a business system (Process Modeling with Date Flow Diagram) to give specification/instructions to the system designer/builder;
  Identify and model the necessary data for a business system (Data Modeling with Entity Relation Diagram) to give speccification/instructions to the database designer/builder;
  Identify and model the necessary "object" for a business system (Object Modeling with UML) to give speccification/instructions to the database designer/builder;
  Analyze the feasibility (technical, operational, economic, schedule, and risks) of information system alternatives to be developed for a specific business entity;
  Be familiar with the structure,content, and presentation of a professional information system proposal to solve a business problem.

How to Get a Satisfactory Performance

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

	Whitten and Bentley (2007), Systems Analysis and Design Methods, 7th Edition. McGraw-Hill Irwin, ISBN-13 978-0-07-305233-5 - (This is a timeless classic !) (Note: 6th Edition or 7th International Edition is acceptable)
	Harvard Business Review (2011), On Strategy. Harvard Business Review Press, ISBN 978-1-4221-5798-5 (pbk.)-(This is part of the Harvard Business School HBR's 10 Must Reads Series for ALL knowledgeable managers.)

CLASS WORK & GRADING

Mark Distribution:

    Assignments:
           Process Modeling                      5%
           Data Modeling                           5%
           Object Modeling                        5%
           Book Report                              5%

       Group Project:                           15%

       Exams:
          Midterm (1 hour)                      25%
          Final   (2 hours)                        40%

Assignments: There are 3 Assignments covering major modeling techniques in systems analysis and design. All homework assignments are to be done individually. You may consult with your classmates on the assignments but you should have your own answer and submit your own work. Refer to Academic Regulations on Honesty prescribed in University Catalog if you happen to forget them ! As your assignments will be graded and given back in the next class meeting, make sure that you hand in your work in time.

Book Report: Since technology is the infrastructure of a society, and we don't just just do IT, but need to know that our IT works/projects contribute to a business strategy to gain a competitie advantage. The HBR book "On Strategy", written by gurus in IT and business corporate strategy, will provide you some food for thought and equip you wth the business sense of a competent/knowledgeable nanager. For each assigned article (TBA), you will write 1 typed, Time New Roman 12, single-spaced page report in decent English on what you learn on best practices and ideas for unleashing technology's strategic potential. The Report Packet due 2 weeks before the end of semester. There will be also an essay question on the book in the final exam.

Group Project: There will be one Group Project on systems analysis and design proposal. You should participate equally and actively in group work. To be fair, the individual credit for group project will be based on peer evaluation of individual contribution to the group work. (Specifications TBA)

Exams: There are 2 closed-book exams covering the chapters listed on the following schedule, the material discussed in class lectures, and the homework problems assigned during the Semester. Each exam will have multiple-choice questions, short essay questions, and systems modeling hands-on. Specs / hints will be announced in class to assure that you will be on right track to success. To relieve your cognitive burden, the Final Exam is NOT cumulative. (Check class schedule for information on which lectures to be covered in each exam.)

Final Grade: Your overall achievement for the course will be measured on the following scale: A (93-100), A- (90-92), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (60-66), F (0-59). To be continued in your academic path, you should get a C or better. Nobody should fail/repeat this class, but you should work hard to be well prepared for your future success in a competitive world.

Class Participation: More than one-third of the class time will be working on systems analysis and design case studies. Make every effort to attend the lecture regularly, read the assigned materials and come to class on time. During the lectures, you may be asked (cold called !!!) to propose a solution for a case study / systems issue, so be prepared to share your excellent/creative idea to the class. (Don't think tbe able to catchehat your instructor is picking on you, in fact he likes you very much such that he remembers your name!) In no way you will catch up effectively with the class materials, merely from borrowing notes and missing lectures. (See also Ground Rules below.)

Academic Regulations: In case that you have been overlooking these prescriptions, you are reminded of the importance of reading and undestanding the full content of the academic regulations in the Unniversity Catalog on Academic Dishonesty. Beware that any form of academic dishonesty will result in serious consequence: a grade of F for the course and could lead to suspension or even expulsion from the University. This is non-negotiable and no second chanse will be given!

GROUND RULES

To assure a productive and pleasant / mutual respect classroom environment for everybody, please observe the following ground rules:

Make every effort to come to class on time. A professional never shows up late for any meeting /appointment / (romantic even date !). If you are 10 minutes late, either be prepared to stand before class to review materials in previous lectures or wait outside till the break, to avoid any possible embarrassment. (IS 431 alumni call it the "10-minute Rule". )

Lecture notes (PPT slides) will be posted in advance. It is preferable to read them before attending class.

Keep your cell phone in silent mode, to prevent disturbing the class.

Minimize your private conversations / activities in class to present distracting your classmates. Raise your hand before talking to the instructor and/or the class.

You are responsible for studying ( and studying well) all the class materials. Although your instructor has an open door policy during office hours, be fair to your classmastes and don't monopolize all the time for yourself. The class office hour is NOT a private tutoring service. (Do prepare a precise question on problematic issue. Don't ask for complete reviews of class materials/assignment solution in your missing lectures. Don't press for intensive hints on un-submitted assignment.)

Develop your personal branding, and act likes a professional. Your behavior/outlook will reflect whether your are a respectable / educated / trustful person or not.

All UNAUTHORIZED in class video taping / voice recording / photo taking are PROHIBITED. If you must take pictures, first ask permission from your instructor, then take only those important diagrams that help you understand the case study. Usually your instructor will suggest which pictures to take to reinforce your note taking. Don't disturb the class while taking pictures. (FYI, marginal / failed students are the ones taking a lot of pictures without knowing the meaning of those.)

Homework Assignments submitted by e-mail will NOT be considered for grade. (This is NOT a distance learning class.)

Always use your CSUN email to contact your instructor. Chances that the system may redirect commercial e-mails into Spam / Junk folder !!! In the Subject of your e-mail, remember to write " IS431/Section # (Day/Evening) - Your Name: Question ".

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Check CANVAS for the specific Class Schedule and Course Materials for your Section

Schedule for EVENING Section (Thursday Evening) is higlighted

DATES TOPICS READINGS
(Whitten Text) CLASS ACTIVITIES

(8/27-29)
8/29 SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT
Participants and Context Ch.1-2
Lecture Note 1

(9/03-05)
9/05 Systems Development Life Cycle Ch.3
Lecture Note 2

(9/10-12)
9/12 SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
Systems Analysis Overview / User Requirements Ch.5-6
Lecture Note 3

(9/17-19)
9/19 Process Modeling Ch.9
Lecture Note 4 Case Study DFD 1
Case Study DFD 2
Case Study DFD 3
Case Study DFD 4
(Print and bring them to class for hands-on practices)

(9/24-26)
9/26    " " Lecture ASSIGNMENT # 1 (Process Modeling) to be posted on Canvas

(10/01-03)
10/03 Data Modeling Ch.8
Lecture Note 5A
ASSIGNMENT # 1 DUE

Case Study ERD1
Case Study ERD2
Case Study ERD3
Case Study ERD4
ABC Shop Case Study on Normalization & Data Capture
(Print and bring them to class for hands-on practices)

(10/08-10)
10/10
" " Lecture

(10/15-17-22)
10/17
   Business Operations Modeling Lecture Note 5B ASSIGNMENT # 2 (Data Modeling) to be posted on Canvas

10/24
MIDTERM EXAM ( 1 hour : Lectures 1 to 4)
Bring 882-E Scantron and HB-2 Pencils

(10/29-31)
10/31 Object Modeling Ch 7,10 & 18
Lecture Note 6 ASSIGNMENT # 2 DUE

(11/05-07)
4/11 " " Lecture
ASSIGNMENT # 3 (Object Modeling) to be posted on Canvas

Case Studies in Class

(11/12-14)
11/14
SYSTEMS DESIGN
System Proposal & Project Management

Systems Design & Architecture

Ch.4, 11
Lecture Note 7

Ch. 12, 13
Lecture Note 8
ASSIGNMENT # 3 DUE

(11/19-21)
11/21
Database Design

   Input/Output Design &
User Interface Design

Ch.14
Lecture Note 9

Ch.15-16 & 17
Lecture Note 10
BOOK REPORT DUE

11/28 - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (No Classes)

(12/03-05)
12/05 System Implementation & Support Ch.19-20
Lecture Note 11 PROJECT DUE

TBA

FINAL EXAM ( 2 hours - Lectures 5A-B to 11)
Bring a Scantron 882-E and HB-2 Pencils

DATES	TOPICS	READINGS (Whitten Text)	CLASS ACTIVITIES
(8/27-29) 8/29	SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT Participants and Context	Ch.1-2 Lecture Note 1
(9/03-05) 9/05	Systems Development Life Cycle	Ch.3 Lecture Note 2
(9/10-12) 9/12	SYSTEMS ANALYSIS Systems Analysis Overview / User Requirements	Ch.5-6 Lecture Note 3
(9/17-19) 9/19	Process Modeling	Ch.9 Lecture Note 4	Case Study DFD 1 Case Study DFD 2 Case Study DFD 3 Case Study DFD 4 (Print and bring them to class for hands-on practices)
(9/24-26) 9/26	" "	Lecture	ASSIGNMENT # 1 (Process Modeling) to be posted on Canvas
(10/01-03) 10/03	Data Modeling	Ch.8 Lecture Note 5A	ASSIGNMENT # 1 DUE Case Study ERD1 Case Study ERD2 Case Study ERD3 Case Study ERD4 ABC Shop Case Study on Normalization & Data Capture (Print and bring them to class for hands-on practices)
(10/08-10) 10/10	" "	Lecture
(10/15-17-22) 10/17	Business Operations Modeling	Lecture Note 5B	ASSIGNMENT # 2 (Data Modeling) to be posted on Canvas
10/24	MIDTERM EXAM ( 1 hour : Lectures 1 to 4) Bring 882-E Scantron and HB-2 Pencils
(10/29-31) 10/31	Object Modeling	Ch 7,10 & 18 Lecture Note 6	ASSIGNMENT # 2 DUE
(11/05-07) 4/11	" "	Lecture	ASSIGNMENT # 3 (Object Modeling) to be posted on Canvas Case Studies in Class
(11/12-14) 11/14	SYSTEMS DESIGN System Proposal & Project Management Systems Design & Architecture	Ch.4, 11 Lecture Note 7 Ch. 12, 13 Lecture Note 8	ASSIGNMENT # 3 DUE
(11/19-21) 11/21	Database Design Input/Output Design & User Interface Design	Ch.14 Lecture Note 9 Ch.15-16 & 17 Lecture Note 10	BOOK REPORT DUE
11/28 - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (No Classes)
(12/03-05) 12/05	System Implementation & Support	Ch.19-20 Lecture Note 11	PROJECT DUE
TBA	FINAL EXAM ( 2 hours - Lectures 5A-B to 11) Bring a Scantron 882-E and HB-2 Pencils

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - NORTHRIDGE Department of Accounting & Information Systems