LUIGIDOLLOSA

10754903

BOOK REVIEW 1

BOOK : MODERN SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN AUTHOR : HOFFER, GEORGE, VALACICH

REFERENCE # : QA 76.9 S88 H64 1999

CHAPTER : 1- The Systems Development Environment

QUOTE : “Regardless of how an organization structures its Information Systems department, systems development is a team effort. “

BOOK REVIEW :

      This introductory chapter provides a concise overview of the chief topics and themes about Information Analysis and Design (in the modern context) that shall be elaborately discussed in the book’s subsequent chapters. Included matters of discussion in this chapter are the broad introductory to information SAD, roles and organizational responsibilities in SAD, the SDLC, and the types of Information Systems.

     In perusing the contents, I have learned that information systems analysis and design is an intricate process of enhancing organizational modes of operations. It brings about benefits and solutions to an ever-changing trend of needs and services of a particular organization. Significant terms were methodologies (approaches to systems development), techniques (processes for quality output), and tools (computer programs which complement the techniques and follows the methodologies).

     One of the more interesting portions of the chapter was the roles in systems development. I have realized that, in order to attain the goals and objectives of the IS department, a DIVERSE team is necessitated, which includes the IS manager, Systems Analyst, Programmers, Business Managers, End-users, etc. These roles play distinctively with the systems development process, and yet this diversity is the one that produces more quality deliverables. Interaction skills and leadership are just a few of the values reiterated in this part of the chapter.

     Furthermore, it discusses the SDLC. However, I did not dwell much on this because it introduces a new scheme, one that is somehow dissimilar to the one that we were familiarized with. I realized that there are different frameworks being implemented globally and it just matters into which method is apt for a specific situation. This is the reason why the SDLC has been overly criticized because it has to be restructured for progress.

     The 25 page opening chapter allowed me to at least acquire a fine grasp of what the entire book is going to encompass. Reading the text, it was sort of a recap of what we had taken during the last term in IST CON. By the way, I commend how the book organizes itself. It was easy to preview the text and it allocated a culmination section at the end. The language it uses is technical yet still understandable by the general reader (with a background on information systems). I think I will be using the book for the following book reviews and for additional research material. It’s a good find.