The Domain of Information
Systems
Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
 In
introducing a Discipline of Information
Systems and its component areas of study,
we need to consider the Domain of these
Systems :
 We will consider some definitions of
Information Systems and the functions that
can make up such systems.
 You have already considered, in various other
modules, the Information Technology which
enables Information Systems.
 The Domain of Information Systems which
we will now address comprises :
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
•
•
•
•
•
•
Simple Classification
Types
Objectives
Risks
Planning & Project Management
The Organisation :
– structure
– processes
– types of information & information requirements
• The Information Systems Development Life-Cycle
– Feasibility Study
– Systems Investigation
– Systems Analysis
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
– Systems Design
– Implementation
– Review & Maintenance
• Tools, Techniques & Methodologies
• Social Effects
–
–
–
–
–
Change Management
Implementation is not just Coding!!
Education & Training
Skill-Change
Societal & Cultural Change
• Integrative Models
– Computers in Society
– Big Brother
– Where do you want to go today?
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
 Simple Classification of Information Systems
• This is a general classification which reflects the
material we have already covered.
• Informal Information Systems :
– evolving complex patterns of human behaviour
– never formalised by the organisation
– often vital to the effectiveness of communication within
the organisation and hence the effectiveness of the
organisation itself
– “grapevine” can be negative and/or positive
• Manual Information Systems :
– formalised procedures, not computer based, for
production of information within an organisation
– Historically, prior to computers, all organisational
information systems operated in this way, with clerks
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
processing the information.
– Still many such systems through :
• organisational unwillingness to invest in new
technology
• development costs not balanced by business
advantage/productivity gains
• specialist skills of staff cannot be replicated in
computerised system
• Computer-based Information Systems :
– automated systems
– use I.T.
– We are only really concerned with these, and we will
focus exclusively on these from now on.
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
 Types of Computer-based Information
Systems :
• Data Processing Systems
– accounts processing
– routine product control
– personnel
• Office Automation Systems :
–
–
–
–
–
document preparation and management
databases and associated software
electronic mailing
diaries and schedulers
spreadsheets
• Management Information Systems
– use data from data processing systems to produce
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
summary information
– generally simple statistical models
– aggregate data, production, output, etc.
• Decision Support Systems :
– extended MISs which incorporate more sophisticated
statistical and predictive models
– allow “what-if” analysis and hypothesis testing
– highly interactive, governed by user input
• Executive Information Systems :
– can be further extensions of DSSs to allow development
of strategic modelling
– can also be extended MISs which permit much higher
levels of aggregation of data
– usually highly graphical, permitting access to a wide
range of information through a friendly user interface
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
 Objectives of Information Systems :
• Essentially these can be seen as the benefits that an
organisation can achieve through the successful
use of an Information System
• Efficient Operations
– maximisation of throughput with respect to the unit of
resource input
– the organisation obtains maximum benefit with the least
waste from the resources it allocates to tasks
• Effective Management
– the ability to produce the intended output in a
satisfactory manner
– a measure of how well the products and/or services of
an organisation meet customer needs
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
• Competitive Advantage
– first use I.T. to produce information to make the
operational and management activities of the business
efficient and effective (as above)
– next use information in new and innovative ways to
improve business performance, cut costs, etc. to develop
an advantage in comparison to competitors
• Long-Term Goals
–
–
–
–
–
–
Survival
Profitability
Expansion
Market Share
Customer Satisfaction
Employee Satisfaction
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
 Risks of Information Systems
• If we take the view that all those elements
described as objectives of Information Systems then
become dependent for success on the Information
System, then the Information Systems become
progressively larger and more complex. Then the
biggest risk is in Information Systems failure,
resulting in an inability to support :
– Business operations
– Management
– Strategic Objectives
• Reasons for such failure can be :
– Economic
– Technical
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon
– People-based
• Resistance to change
• Fear of technology, loss of job, etc.
• Inadequate training
• Lack of specialist skills
• Inappropriate organisational culture
– Evolutionary
• Technological change
• Environmental change
• Organisational change
F29IF2 : Databases & Information Systems
Lachlan M. MacKinnon