FIT9130 Systems analysis and design - Semester 1, 2015

This unit introduces students to the key principles which underlie the analysis and design of information systems to support business and other organisational undertakings. It covers design and design thinking, requirements elicitation, consulting skills and conceptual and logical systems modelling.

Mode of Delivery

• Caulfield (Day)
• Caulfield (Online)

Workload Requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

• 2 hours of lectures
• One 2-hour studio

(b.) Study schedule for off-campus students:

• Off-campus students generally do not attend lecture and studio sessions, however should plan to spend equivalent time working through the relevant resources and participating in discussion groups each week.

(c.) Additional requirements (all students):

• A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

See also Unit timetable information

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

FIT9030, FIT5130

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

In response to the last SETU of this unit, the order of topics in the syllabus has been adjusted to include requirements elicitation earlier in the semester.

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

• select and use conceptual and logical modelling techniques to design an information system;
• select and use techniques to elicit requirements for an information system design;
• select and use approaches to the systems development lifecycle including the waterfall model and modern alternatives;
• assess and discuss the capabilities and limitations of an information system;
• communicate the requirements for the business functionality of an information system in terms of data required, data storage and processing to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Unit Schedule

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Teaching Approach

• Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
  This approach exposes students to information that is later practiced in a hands-on studio environment and in assignments.
• Studio teaching
  This approach gives students an opportunity to practice skills in a hands-on, collaborative environment with other students.
• Problem-based learning
  This approach presents students with information and guides them on how to best find solutions for a given problem.
• Simulation or virtual practice
  This approach allows students to practice design skills by taking on the role of a professional designer in a simulated business setting. 

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Assessment Tasks

Participation

• Assessment task 1

  Title:

  Assignment 1a - Draft Design Specification Introductory Section

  Description:

  Assignment one consists of multiple submissions with feedback, working towards a completed design specification for an information system.  You will be given a partial design brief as well as opportunity to elicit further requirements from the client via an online discussion forum.
  
  Assignment 1a consists of a draft skeleton report consisting of a narrative overview for your proposed design solution, along with section headings for the remainder of the specification document that will be populated with content in subsequent submissions.

  Weighting:

  5%

  Criteria for assessment:

  1. Completeness of discussion on the project background
  2. Completeness of understanding of the design problem
  3. Completeness of report structure
  4. Quality and professionalism of presentation, including report layout and grammar

  Due date:

  10am, Monday 13 April 2015 (Week 6)

• Assessment task 2

  Title:

  Assignment 1b - Completed Draft Design Specification

  Description:

  Assignment 1b includes a full draft submission of your design specification.  It will include revised material from Assignment 1a based on the feedback given, as well as several conceptual design models:

  • An Entity Relationship model
  • A matching Class Diagram model
  • Use Case models
  • Activity Diagrams for selected Use Cases
  • Matching System Sequence Diagrams

  As with 1a, you will receive feedback that will allow you to make improvements to your final submission in 1c.

  Weighting:

  15%

  Criteria for assessment:

  1. Narrative overview:

  a. Completeness of discussion of the project background

  b. Completeness of understanding of the design problem

  2. Conceptual models:

  a. Quality of the design solution and support for the business requirements

  b. Correctness of technique execution

  3. Quality and professionalism of presentation, including layout, structure and grammar.

  Due date:

  10am, Monday 4 May 2015 (Week 9)

• Assessment task 3

  Title:

  Assignment 1c - Final Design Specification

  Description:

  Assignment 1c is a resubmission of assignment 1b based on the feedback received.  The deliverables required are the same as for 1b.

  Weighting:

  20%

  Criteria for assessment:

  As per Assignment 1b.

  Due date:

  10am, Monday 25 May 2015 (Week 12)

• Assessment task 4

  Title:

  Assignment 2 - Portfolio

  Description:

  The portfolio assignment is intended to build up your skills in a number of techniques, both professional and academic.  Throughout the semester you will submit four small pieces of work from two categories: critiques of readings and drawing design models.  You will receive feedback on this work to improve your techniques and skills.

  Weighting:

  10% in total

  Criteria for assessment:

  The assessment criteria for each item of work differs depending on the category of task.

  For critiques of readings:

  1. Depth of analysis (critical thinking, quality of argument)
  2. Quality of expression and citation technique.

  For design models:

  1. Quality of the design
  2. Correctness of the execution of the modelling technique.

  The overall grade for the portfolio will be the average grade of the four submissions.

  Due date:

  Various due dates throughout the semester, with no task due after Week 11

Examinations

• Examination 1

  Weighting:

  50%

  Length:

  3 hours

  Type (open/closed book):

  Closed book

  Electronic devices allowed in the exam:

  None

Learning resources

Reading list

Weekly readings will be specified on the unit's Moodle site.

Feedback to you

• Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
• Graded assignments with comments
• Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Resubmission of assignments

Assignments may not be resubmitted.

Referencing requirements

All material quoted, paraphrased or relied upon in your work must be cited correctly according to the APA style guide.  See the links provided for more information.

Assignment submission

Online submission

Technological Requirements

Students must check the unit's Moodle site on a weekly basis.  Access to a computer and internet connection for assignment work is required, although choice of software is up to the student.  Software required includes a word processing package such as Microsoft Word and a drawing package such as Microsoft Visio or OmniGraffle.

Other Information

Policies

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student Charter

Student services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit