Week 12

1. What do you believe are the two most important skills required by a good Systems Analyst? And Why?

A system analyst is the one who investigates, analyzes,designs, develops, installs, evaluates and maintains a company’s information systems. I think the following are the two most appropriate skills required by a good system analyst are:-

-> A good system anayst should have a clear understanding of thesystem development life cycle and its approach.

-> A good system analyst should have good listening skills and good questioning and interviewing techniques.

A system analyst plays a vital role in system development life cycle. A system analyst shoud be able to translate the business problems and requirements into information requirements and business. A system analyst is responsible for planning projects, developing schedules and estimating costs for these projects so it is neccessary for a system analyst to adopt different methods in constructing the system and also in design and implementation


2. If you were in charge of this course next term ,what changes would you make to improve the course? And why?

If i were in charge of this course next term then i would suggest the following changes
->Audio and video streaming of lectures,through which students can easily grab the required information.

->Reduce the burden of assignments by providing a extra lectures handling assignment issues.

In my opinion streaming is a very popular approach today. With streaming both text and graphic files can be streamed. This will help the students to listen and view the required information whenever they want. As a student i have realised that there is so much burden of assignments. Sometimes students get stressed because of assignments.So it is necessary to give extra classes to explain the various concepts involved in a particular assignment and giving proper feedback to students.This will help student to perform well in assignment and also help in reducing plagiarism and every student would perform their own assigments by their own.

Week 10

There are mainly four types of maintenance activities. They are;

· Corrective Maintenance
· Adaptive Maintenance
· Perfective Maintenance
· Preventive Maintenance

Corrective Maintenance.
Corrective maintenance diagnoses and corrects errors in an operational system as well as errors from the previous maintenance changes. Problem analysis and documentation is the main task for corrective maintenance. The terminology using for this method is to scale-down the SDLC for avoiding new problems in the maintenance task by investigation, analysis, design and testing of the new system. Corrective maintenance performed in timely manner with the report from the user. Usually whenever a request from user for maintenance arises in new operational system, the maintenance team arrives at a solution for maintenance after validating, prioritizing, designing, testing and documenting the error report. Emergency system failure is also maintained by this method. In that case the IT department by passes the initial steps and tries to correct the problem immediately. When the system becomes operational level the maintenance team determines the cause of the problem, then they analyzes that and designs a permanent solution. After testing the solution they prepare a full documentation. (Shelly, G, B, Cashman, T, J, Rosenblatt, H, J, 2006, Systems Analysis and Design, 6th ed, Boston.).

CQU can follow this method before implementing new information system. By using this system the problem can be identified and it can be solved before and immediately after implementing new information system.


Adaptive Maintenance.
Adaptive maintenance adds enhancements to an operational system and makes the system easier to use. The features and capabilities of this method are necessary when business environment changes. The procedure of minor adaptive maintenance is similar to routine corrective maintenance. Maintenance team analyses, designs, tests and implements the enhancements after validating the user request. Adaptive maintenance requires more IT department recourses than minor corrective maintenance terminology.Major adaptive maintenance tasks are similar to a small-scale SDLC, as the procedures for both are same. Adaptive maintenance always difficult than SDLC, because the enhancements must work with in the constraints of an existing system. (Shelly, G, B, Cashman, T, J, Rosenblatt, H, J, 2006, Systems Analysis and Design, 6th ed, Boston.)

CQU can also use this approach as any member involved in the process of finding and resolving the academic misconduct cases can suggest something new that may prove very beneficial when the review commettiee analyzes it for use. But its implementation can be expensive or hard to some extent due to the restrictions of existing system.


Perfective Maintenance.
This method involves, changing an operational system to make it more efficient, reliable and maintainable. Users requests for corrective and adaptive maintenances, but the IT department usually initiates perfective maintenance method. This method usually increases system efficiency by limiting the errors .To restore the performance of the system more reliably, this method simplify the complex programs to comply with users.Companies with limited resources consider new system development, corrective and adaptive methods than perfective maintenance. Perfective method is costly because it is using in the middle of the systems operational life and is not needed in new system.Benefits of this method are not valuable if the company decides to discontinue the old system. For adding a new function in to a current system we can use perfective maintenance in adaptive maintenance project. (Shelly, G, B, Cashman, T, J, Rosenblatt, H, J, 2006, Systems Analysis and Design, 6th ed, Boston.)

When CQU’s academic misconduct management system is in use, perfective maintenance may use to optimize the user’s desktop setting. That means to develop an interface that seems as friendly to the user as possible. In doing so, users can manipulate the system more easily and save time. In addition, perfective maintenance can install additional memory to the related computers and compress system files to help the system improve response time and system efficiency.


Preventive Maintenance.
Preventive maintenance is to prevent the cause of problems for future.To avoid problems we should analyze the area where the problems likely to occur.IT department takes the initiative for this method. Preventive maintenance often results with increased user satisfaction, decreased down time, reduced TCO. This method competes with IT resources, as it will not get proper priority. (Shelly, G, B, Cashman, T, J, Rosenblatt, H, J, 2006, Systems Analysis and Design, 6th ed, Boston.)

This maintenance used to avoid problems that may occur in future. Like perfective maintenance, IT department normally initiates preventive maintenance and it often results in increased user satisfaction. Thus, it will be used to AMMS because the CQU should prevent the information report of last semister student’s assignments and it is compares with the current studying students.

Week 9

According to Shelly, Cashman and Rosenblatt (2003) System changeover is the process of putting the new information system online and retiring the old system. It can be rapid or slow depending on the method.
the following are the four potential methods for changing over from one information system to another:-

Direct cutover - this approach causes the changeover from old system to the new system to occur immediately when the new system become operational. It is least expensive but it can operate and maintain only by the IT group people. This system involves more risks and if you transfer to new system cannot revert the old system as a backup option. Most of organizations uses direct cutover because the systems is developed in-house and use this process is suitable in non-critical situations.

Parallel – In this changeover method both new system and old system operated simultaneously. The input is given in new system and the output generated is compared with old system and it is compared with older one and when it is satisfied the old system will be terminated.

Pilot – In this changeover method the new system is used in one part of the organisation as a trial and the old system run on the remaining part of the organisation. Pilot operation is combination of both parallel and direct cut over method. It is the group uses the new system. This system is less expensive when compared to parallel operation and restricting the implementation of pilot approach reduces the risk of system failure.

Phased – In this approach, the operation of implementing the new system is divided into stages or modules. One advantage of phase operation is that the risk of errors or failures is limited to implemented module only and it is less expensive. The phased operation considers one system at a particular time and main disadvantages of this system is giving a part of system to all users.

The following discussion is in relation to the introduction of a technology-based system into New Academic Misconduct Management System.

Direct cutover
If we use this type of system changeover method for AMMS there may be benefits like less time of work, reducing the employees so that it will also benefit to organization by appointing the new staff, which are having knowledge of new system or give the training to old staff. But from my point of view , this system will not fit to CQU because the AMMS involves seven processes which are
1. Raising incident
2. Recording the incident
3. Assigning the offence level
4. Deciding on the penalty
5. Apply the penalty
6. Handling appeals
7. Generating the reports

and it is compulsory to have backup option to compare the report with other term student. Also When this method is implied in Cqu for adopting new technology the failure level is high. Since Cqu is a huge organization if there is any failure in the newly implied system then Cqu may face lot of problems because of work stagnation. If direct cut-over method works properly then will be the best method which can be used because it is the cheapest when compare to other methods.

Parallel
CQU has seven processes and work should verify every level, which means the system is functioning parallel to it, this system is time consuming and should have more trained staff for parallel systems like old and new system. CQU can replace the old system by using this method. In this method the work will be done in both technologies so the risk level is considerably low. In case if there is any problem or issue arises in new technology the work will not get hold in a particular section, it can be completed by using old technology. It can be quickly returned to old system if there is any problem. The staffs involved can learn to use the new technology without any difficulty. Risk can be reduced by introducing the new technology parallel to the older one.

Pilot
This method of system will not be appropriate for CQU because in this methodology the new system will be installed in some of the departments of the organization. If it is installed then some department of Cqu will be computerized and other will be manual. So it will be difficult to complete a job efficiently.

Phased
A disadvantage of this method can be seen in that the change over of stages may not map directly or easily from one system to another. An example of this would be the assigning of a level to a case where in the original system it would be done by a plagiarism officer where in the new system it could be done automatically through searching of student records. One disadvantage of this method for CQU is it is hard to connect one new module to others old system parts and processes. It will increase staff workload because even one process can be done automatically however others are still done manually so staff need to copy data from new system then continue next process or input data into new system to make sure it can be processed using new modules. This might not be suit for CQU system because it involves seven processes and it is inter linked with each process levels. Even AMMS system is a centralised system and cannot be divided in to modules.

Week 8

Article 1
Technology's latest wave: colleges and universities are increasingly exploring the academic use of digital mobile devices—but lack of money sometimes stands in the way

This articles states how I-pod has helped Dorian Scheuch of Georgia College & State University to understand and concentrating on songs which is taught to her in college without being disturbed by her room mates.and it also define that I-pod help student to listen to their lecturers anywhere.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DXK/is_2_22/ai_n13720077

Article 2
Higher ed goes mobile, lightweight: from handhelds to tablets to laptops, campus computer users are veering away from traditional desktop PCs. So why are they still showing up in the campus computer labs?

This article shows how students use Mobile computers such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, laptops, and tablets to create mobile lifestyles. In particular, students are exploiting the technology to work, research, and entertain themselves nearly anywhere on campus at any time.


http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LSH/is_12_7/ai_n8573954

Article 3
CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
Harvard Medical School
Helping students learn and work in a mobile world

This article shows how students use MyCourses application powered by M-Business Anywhere to have instant access to important learning information from handheld devices while improving communication between mobile groups of students and faculty.

http://www.ianywhere.com/success_stories/harvard.html

Article 4
Teaching future physicians: technology, academics and patient care join forces in a mobile world – Wireless

This article shows ur how mobile devices help student to get updates form their faculties when they are not in campus.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DUD/is_2_23/ai_82879513

week 7

Before going through this blog let us understand the meaning of Innovation
The classic definitions of innovation include:
the process of making improvements by introducing something new
the act of introducing something new: something newly introduced (The American Heritage Dictionary).
the introduction of something new. (Merriam-Webster Online)
a new idea, method or device. (Merriam-Webster Online)
the successful exploitation of new ideas (Dept of Trade and Industry, UK).
change that creates a new dimension of performance Peter Drucker (Hesselbein, 2002)

The term innovation may refer to both radical and incremental changes to products, processes or services. The often unspoken goal of innovation is to solve a problem. In the organisational context, innovation may be linked to performance and growth through improvements in efficiency, productivity, quality, competitive positioning, market share, etc. While innovation typically adds value, innovation may also have a negative or destructive effect as new developments clear away or change old organisational forms and practices.

ref:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovation


What is the name of the innovation?

SMS (short message services)
IVR- (interactive voice response system)




Describe the innovation and how it would work and the service it would provide to students?

SMS (short message services)

This is a very common type of service as well as one of the most popular means of communication among mobile device users .Notification of following important services can be made through / via SMS to students using mobile devices.
- Important Emails such as course coordinator mails, enrolment mails etc
- Course updates
- Assignment Updates
- Due date of library items.
- Feedback
- Student Poll.


IVR- (interactive voice response system)

This is a type of system where there can be a description of every department and a service over the telephone, the design of this system has to be completely automated initially and be a total voice response enable system, for example : when a student calls → he should be able to key in his id number and use a password for security purposes. This service will provide access to various options and general help desk. This IVR system can be divided in different categories from which the student could select appropriate options. Such an IVR system will enable students to conduct basic day to day operations from the convenience of a phone. This will eliminate the need for students to visit University departments for all their operational needs. Services that could be provided on this IVR :

- Enrolments
- Time Table enquiries.
- Fee enquiries.
- Library Book reissues.
- Appointment making.
- Technical support for student portal.

This is just a small design of how the system would function but I feel this system might be expensive initially but is could have great potential for providing best and user friendly services both to student and the organization as this will definitely have two outcomes

1. Less time consuming.
2. Less requirement of staff to handle this particular department.

How did you identify this innovation?

Survey
I believe conducting Survey’s is the best approach for CQU to find answer to above question. Survey should help in getting students opinion as to which services students would like to receive. Usually surveys are highly reliable and are easy to obtain. It can be administered from remote locations using mail, email or telephone. Also it is one of the inexpensive fact finding method.The following methods will not be relevant for this question:

1.Document Review: This method is not applicable here because the university doesn’t have any available documents that can provide information on such services being utilized by students.

2.Observation: Since this is an opinion-based question, observation method will not be appropriate because it doesn’t provide an opportunity to obtain opinions.

3.Sampling & Research: This method is also not very reliable because we don’t have any present data of this program available to conduct research/sampling.

Week 5 -structured English

Structured English description of the process which is used to create and register blog at blogger.com


IF the student has a gmail or google account
THEN SELECT New Blogger
ELSE Select create a new Blog

END-IF

SELECT
Blog title
Blog address

DO
ENTER blog address
UNTIL available blog address is TRUE.

SELECT
Blog Template

SELECT
Start Posting

SELECT
Logout

IF user login is successful
THEN Start posting
ELSE Create new account

END-IF

DO create new account
UNTIL user login is successful.

END DO UNTIL

week 4

Context Diagram For Current Academic Misconduct Management System in CQU





DFD Diagram For Current Academic Misconduct Management System in CQU