35 research outputs found
A new model for the development of information systems
The most commonly used systems specification and design techniques in commercial
computing are described and compared; Information Engineering as proposed by James
Martin, A Framework for Information Definition-Muitiview proposed by Wood-Harper et al,
Real-world Modeling as described by Jackson, Structured Analysis and Design as In Demarco,
Yourdon and Constantine and Output-Oriented Structured Requirement Definition proposed by
Orr. In addition, system prototyping is discussed, including the role of prototyping in large
software development projects and as a tool for the design of human-computer interfaces.
Other areas described and discussed include decision support systems (DSS) and knowledge
based management support systems. The context is in the design and development
approaches for DSS, prototyping for DSS, expert system for DSS and the integration of DSS
and information system. The design and development of human-computer interface is also
discussed in relation to user Interface complexity and adaptive interfaces. Further, the
important issue of user involvement and support within the development process Is discussed.
Thus, weaknesses of current approaches to the system development process are identified and
a new model for the development of information system is proposed. In proposing the model,
data and functional analysis structured method and methodology for decision support systems
(DSS) development is presented including guidelines for the development of knowledge based
DSS. The new proposed model is put to test in the design, development and implementation of
large integrated commercial systems including DSS. Results and discussion on the use of the
model is reported with special consideration to the users' and developers' view of the model.
Finally the objectives of this research program are examined in relation to what has been
achieved during this program of research. The prospect of using the model for the
development of information systems are concluded with references to current and future goals
A generic approach, employing information systems, for introducing manufacturing information systems in SME 's
This thesis presents an approach which the small and medium size firms can use in-house
to introduce manufacturing information systems. The approach developed is
generic and employs information system design and analysis techniques to guide
Small and Medium size Enterprises (SME's) from specification of their need, right
through to the implementation of an appropriate solution. Although there are
various tools and methodologies that are available for large organisations needs,
none are available for SME's. Therefore, the approach presented in this thesis
provides original and significant improvements on current practice.
The approach emphasises the importance of taking a company wide approach to
analyse systems throughout its various departments to establish bad practices and
system flaws which may impinge on the performance of the manufacturing
operations.
The research involved three independent stages. The first stage was the
identification of the problem which was realised from two sources: literature survey
and interviews with case study company managers. The second stage was the
development of a novel approach. The final stage included the validation of the
approach by implementing it in five different SMEs in the Devon and Cornwall
region.
Through the use of this work, company's are encouraged to improve ownership and
commitment to the manufacturing information systems by fully involving the
relevant company personnel in identifying and resolving various problems. The
approach proposed also helps managers understand how the various processes work
in other areas of company, and can subsequently lead to improvements in other
departments
A formal technique for the logical design of organisational information systems.
SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D51992/84 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo
An investigation into the planning, organisation and control of rapid software development and prototyping
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophySoftware development involving prototyping has been widely written about since the early 1980s. This project has been carried out with the intention of investigating the various claims made about it. The first section of the research examines the background to software development and the emergence of alternative approaches to carrying it out. It considers the options open to developers and then examines the background and application of prototyping. It reviews the published work (including survey evidence) on the management and control of prototyping and the ways that this can be carried out effectively. The second part of the work evaluates the results of a series of studies that have been carried out. These comprise several developments for systems built for a metal finishing company and also the analysis of using function points measurement in the development of a system for a local authority, in each study prototyping was used as part or all of the development,. The final part of the work proposes a model for controlling the prototyping process. The second part is a quantitative investigation in to the effectiveness of prototyping as part of a RAD style development. The report concludes with overall recommendations and scope for further research
Applicability of HCI Techniques to Systems Interface Design
PhDThis thesis seeks to identify reasons why HCI techniques are unsuitable for application
in real world design projects. User-oriented systems design and evaluation require
that many considerations such as the psychology of users, the applications and
target tasks be born in mind simultaneously. A selection of influential HCI design
and evaluative techniques from HCI research literature are reviewed and characterised
in terms of their analytic scope.
Two studies of systems designers' approaches to user-oriented design and evaluation
were carried out in order to gain a clearer picture of the design process as it occurs
in applied and commercial projects. It was found that designers frequently lack
adequate information about users, carrying Out, at best, informal user-evaluations of
prototypes. Most notably HCI design and evaluative techniques, of the type common
in the literature, are not being used in applied and commercial design practice.
They seem to be complex, often limited in scope, and possessed of inadequate or
unrepresentative views of the design process within which they might be applied. It
was noted that design practice is highly varied with only a small number of common
goal directed classes of activity being identified. These together with observed
user-oriented information sources and design constraints provide a useful schema
for viewing applied and commercial design practice.
A further study of HCI specialists' practice in commercial environments was undertaken,
in order to identify particular user-oriented design approaches and HCI techniques
suitable for application in practice. The specialists were able to describe
desirable, and undesirable properties of the techniques they used which made it possible
to identify a list of specific desirable features for HCI techniques. A framework
for assessing applicability of HCI techniques was developed from the findings
of the thesis. This is demonstrated using an example project from the design studies
and may prove valuable in supporting design, evaluation, critiquing and selection of
HCI techniques
An empirical study of function points analysis reliability
Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1990.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-56).by Michael J. Connolley.M.S