BSA 375 Complete Course

Week 1

Discussion Questions

Why do heuristics and biases play a major role in the success/failure of an IT project? What specific kinds are the most influential factors - in general and for your specific organization?

How does organizational culture play a role in the successful reliance on the JAD process to identify and gather business requirements? Would JAD work in your company? Why or why not?

Based on Tallon and Scannell's (2007) article, describe information life cycle management (ILM) and the relationship to the cost of storage.

Week 2

Individual Assignment: Service Request SR-rm-004, Part 1

The final individual paper for this class is comprised of three sections and due in Week Four. One section of the paper is due each week.

Complete Section 1 of 3 for the final paper due in Week Four. Using the Service Request SR-rm-004, Analyze HR System, and prepare a 4-6 page paper that accomplishes the following:

Describe the information-gathering techniques and design methods you would propose to use for the project.

Identify the key factors that help ensure the information required for the project is gathered successfully.

Explain the scope and feasibility of the project.

Cite and discuss 3 to 4 references, in addition to the required readings, that are relevant to the assignment. Include citations and references using the University of Phoenix approved style guide format.

Submit Section 1 of the final paper.

Discussion Questions

What is "enterprise-wide analytics technology" and how can it play a part in understanding business processes? What are the challenges in rolling out a Business Intelligence tool?

Based on Perkin's (2007) article, list five reasons why projects fail. Provide an example of a project failure.

Based on Stotz's (2007) article, why is it important to adequately define the use of a system? List five items a typical design document contains.

Week 3

Individual Assignment: Service Request SR-rm-004, Part 2

Complete Section 2 of 3 for the final paper due in Week Four. This weeks assignment incorporates the transition from analysis to design. You may consider revising Section 1 based upon faculty feedback.

Prepare a 4-6 page paper that accomplishes the following:

Describe the application architecture and process design.

Include a high-level description of the security controls that you recommend for the design of this HR system. Apply the tools of systems analysis to describe the information systems architecture in terms of data, processes, interfaces, and network.

Draw the physical data flow diagrams. Use Microsoft Visio to prepare examples of flow charts and data flow diagrams.

Cite and discuss 3 to 4 references, in addition to the required readings, that are relevant to the assignment. Include citations and references, using the University of Phoenix approved style guide format.

Discussion Questions

What are the differences between the "human-centered" and "user-centered" approaches? Do you agree that the human-centered approach is more effective? Why or why not?

Based on Rajlichs (2006) article, do you think that the waterfall model is no longer useful in todays development environment? Discuss why or why not.

Week 4

Individual Assignment: Service Request SR-rm-004, Part 3

Complete Section 3 of 3 for the final paper. This weeks assignment incorporates the transition from design to implementation. You may consider revising Sections 1 and 2 based upon faculty feedback.

Prepare a 4-6 page paper that accomplishes the following:

Describe the implementation stage for this project.

Include a discussion on the six major activities for the implementation stage as described within the text:

Coding

Testing

Installation

Documentation

Training

Support

The discussion on these six activities must describe how each activity would be specifically planned for the individual project situation.

Discuss the benefits of using defined and repeatable processes for accomplishing these activities for the implementation stage.

Cite and discuss 3 to 4 references, in addition to the required readings, that are relevant to the assignment. Include citations and references using the University of Phoenix approved style guide format.

Compile Sections 1 through 3 into one final paper and submit.

Discussion Questions

Is testing a distinct phase of the project, or does it come into play during other phases? Please explain. How can tools help the quality and effectiveness of testing?

Based on Walsh's (2007) article, explain why end user satisfaction should be used in addition to ROI when measuring new systems.

Based on Davidson and Kumagais (2008) article, list three advantages and risks associated with open source software.

Week 5

Learning Team Assignment: Service Request SR-kf-013

Draft the final 4-6 page section of the paper. This should include:

Testing Process Summary: Define a test plan or script that identifies major software functionality and hardware to be tested along with the required outcomes.

Installation Process and Training Plan Summary: Provide a time line that identifies the specific stepsincluding trainingand related resources required to implement the recommended system. Include a narrative explanation that includes a discussion on the effects of project constraints, such as time, conversion method, etc. and a description of the recommended training plan.

Documentation Plan Summary: Specify and explain each type of documentation required for ongoing supporttechnical and userof the proposed system.

Support and Maintenance Plan Summary: Provide a plan that outlines responsibilities and related resources necessary to support and maintain the proposed systemsoftware, hardware, and networks.

Finalize the paper.

Finalize the PowerPoint presentation.

Discussion Questions

When does it make sense to outsource, specifically the maintenance and support of an application system?

Based on Gardners (2007) article, describe the importance of timing when implementing new projects?