The learning outcome for this unit involves the process of developing an information system (IS) for an organization. There are many factors involved in this process, including core activities and the methodologies for managing the process. Project management plays a part as well. Additionally, IS development does not happen in a silo; there is also the business side to consider as part of the process. All of these considerations are brought together and addressed in this assignment.
For this assignment, you will need to research two articles concerning information systems development and project management. Drawing on these two articles and other sources, write an essay that addresses the following:
- Provide a well-formulated thesis statement in your introduction paragraph.
- Explain how a business user could be involved in the core activities of building an information system.
- Analyze how software development methodologies (such as agile development) can work in tandem with project management for the benefit of both information systems development projects and organizations.
- Evaluate how project managers and/or IT managers can ensure that information system development projects are in alignment with business strategies and goals.
- Summarize your findings in a five-page paper using proper APA formatting.
Introduction
The development of the information system in an organization is a big challenge. However, through some strategic considerations and using some effective project management tools, outcomes can become quite predictable. There are several phases that can be depicted in the development of the information system in a firm. Each phase is to be well directed and organized to derive some effective outputs. The firm administration has to streamline the vision regarding this development process along with some key goals and strategies. The involvement of business users in the process is in the limelight, as definitely, key business initiatives are to be taken.
Thesis Statement
“The firm can develop the new information system through integrating with knowledge, tools, skills, and techniques to meet all project requirements, as the project management process is triggered by the development of the information system.”
Involvement of Business User in Core Activities
There are several core activities or phases in the information system development process. These core activities or phases can be portrayed through the information development life cycle. Different core activities in the development process are as under
- Idea Initiation
- Feasibility Study
- Requirement Analysis
- System analysis
- Specification
- System Design
- Development
- Testing
- Implementation
- Maintenance
- Review
The business user is the manager of the company who has to work on different tasks and applications to gain the expected output. The business user in the firm is aligned with all these core activities. For Instance, this first core activity is the idea of initiation. Normally, the business user can streamline the idea of effective and integrated information along with some key security measures. Thus, the business user can propose the idea and communicate it to all key stakeholders. The second core activity is conducting the feasibility study, as the business user can estimate the cost of the development and derive strengths and weakness of the whole project.
According to Xiaoxia Liang and Penghui Guo (2011), the role of the business user is to integrate with the requirement management principles. For Instance, in the analysis, the business user can obtain business requirements, user needs, and financial requirements. Normally, the business user classifies these requirements, and accordingly, prioritizes them. The documentation of the requirement and the impact of the requirement change are also to be streamlined by the business user in the information system development process. After analyzing the system, the business user in the firm can depict the demand management strategy to propose the system specifications and system design (Liang & Guo, 2011).
According to Xiaoxia Liang and Penghui Guo (2011), the business user can use the function point method to enhance the scalability and measurement of several function points. In the development process, users can use skills, technique and or project methodologies, which is also effective when testing, and implementing. The system may need maintenance with the passage of time, and through navigating several applications, the business user may depict some changes (Liang & Guo, 2011).
Workability of Software Development Methodologies
In the information system development project, it seems imperative to come up with an effective and workable software development methodology. Agile software development is the best methodologies that have been used in many organizations. The workability of this method is quite visible, especially in project management. Agile software development indicates a cycle that contains different elements. Elements of this cycle as under
- Meet
- Plan
- Design
- Development
- Test
- Evaluate
In the information development process, the agile methodology helps the company align with the adaptive planning and continuous improvement. Interestingly, the system requirement and solutions have to be evolved or changed. In this method, different cross-functional teams in the project can enable early delivery and propose rapid responses to the change. Thus, when developing the information system, the firm may contain some key requirements. For Instance, the firm may change some security measures and system integration methods during the process. Due to this flexible methodology, the form can make quick decisions and implement them accordingly. In this project management process, it has been revealed that different cross-functional project teams usually intend to enhance the visibility of interaction. The user collaboration in the information system development is worthy. It facilitates designing the system and specifications that are aligned with user needs (Beynon-Davies, Owens, & Williams, 2004)
According to Beynon-Davies, Owens, & Williams (2004), the information system development needs the effective evaluation of the utility. Of course, the company has to take the benefit of the new system. Thus, the agile software methodology helps to evaluate the development of the new information system. It is to be ensured that the firm management and all key stakeholders are taking benefits.
The Benefit of both Information Systems Development Projects and Organizations
Using the agile methodology is beneficial to the whole project and the organization. Regarding the project, the project team can enable the efficient and learn different aspects. According to Beynon-Davies, Owens, & Williams (2004), less than 3 % software in the United States of America has been used as delivered due to lack of benefits. The big advantage or benefit the project management can get is the workability. User collaboration usually enables the complete project control along with the minimum visibility of risk. Another prominent benefit is the quality. The project team can enhance the quality of the system through user interaction, proper documentation, and timely change. It seems like the manifesto of agile software development, which ensures a high-quality information system for the firm.
Conversely, the robust and workable information system is beneficial for business. According to Beynon-Davies, Owens, & Williams (2004), the firm can accelerate the single and double loop learning process in the development or after the development process. For Instance, the company may increase the organization or business performance or restructure the organizational process through the single loop and double loop learning, respectively. Interestingly, these business benefits can be aligned with the agile methodology in IS development procedure. The biggest business benefit that the firm management can get is the identification of errors. Thus, based on the needs and requirements, the firm can make several adjustments. It has a direct impact on business performance, and obviously, the impact is positive.
Role of Managers in Alignment with Business Strategies and Goals
A project manager usually ensures the alignment of an information system development project with an organization’s goals and strategies. For Instance, the strategy of the firm may be to develop the information system that can increase and improve the overall organizational functionality regarding processes, procedures, knowledge management and integration. The project manager has to streamline or power up this strategy of the company by clearly communicating the vision to all key stakeholders. The project manager has to enhance the collaboration with business stakeholders. The major role of the information technology manager is to identify the need of change regarding the organizational system. Thus, when proposing the idea, he can depict the alignment with the strategy of the firm. On the other hand, the goal of the company may be to develop an effective, workable, and high-quality information system in six months. Thus, the IT or project manager, through using the agile methodology can demonstrate the alignment. He can ensure the earliest delivery by adopting plans with the time. It is a noticeable alignment with the goal of the company. The firm can adopt the new system early along with improved functionality.
Summary of Findings
The new information system development requires several project management techniques. The role of project management in the new system development is imperative. After proposing the well-organized thesis statement, core activities have been illustrated along with the involvement of the business user. The most important thing is to understand the role of the business role when implemet8ing these core activities. The most pertinent project development or software development methodology is agile that contains a specific cycle of elements. Due to a comprehensive manifesto of agile methodology, the project management can increase the benefits of project process and business functionality. Information technology or project managers have the power to streamline the alignment with organizational strategies and goals, as far as the development of the new information system is concerned.
Conclusion
In the end, it is to conclude that the firm can use the new information system through implementing better project management practice. The better project management practice is the agile software development methodology that can help to meet strategies and goals. Through better project approaches, the development process carries the workability and efficiency, which can also increase different business benefits. Trends in doing and managing the business are changing with time, and the development process must be integrated with new trends and requirements to make a difference in this contemporary business era.
References
Beynon-Davies, P., Owens, I., & Williams, M. D. (2004). Information systems evaluation and the information systems development process. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 17(4), 276-282.
Liang, X., & Guo, P. (2011). Information System Development Project Management Requirements Management. Management & Engineering (5), 16-19.
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