INSC 30723
Business Information Systems Planning
Fall 2009

Course Description

This class is a project management course. The purpose of systems analysis is to apply project management principles to plan and develop an Information System. Information systems are essential in all organizations. Information systems technologies are causing organizations to explore new business strategies and redefine their established business relationships with both their business partners and customers.  Organizations are actively exploring new ways to leverage these technologies to support internal decision-making and interactions with business partners.  The speed and connectivity that are an inherent part of doing business electronically can provide firms with both operational and administrative benefits that can improve the organization’s overall competitive position.  These organizations are building new information systems designed to take advantage of information systems for business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and intra-business transactions and information sharing. The primary objective of this course is to provide students with an overview of the project management principles required for the information systems development process.

Course Objectives

In this course we develop the skill set to apply project management principles required for the planning and development of an Information System to meet organizational needs. The actual development of the Information System will be conducted in the BIS-development class in spring (BIS majors only). The objectives of this course are to:

· Build an understanding of the role that IS and business professionals play in the planning, analysis, and design of information systems to support organizational business strategies.

· Provide an understanding of both established and leading edge processes and methodologies used in the analysis and design of information systems.

· Learn how to effectively utilize project management software applications to manage projects.

· Learn how IS strategy is integrated with organizational business strategy.

· Learn to analyze and redesign the operations of companies.

The business education objectives of the course are accomplished through the use of class discussions, testing processes, and group projects.  The exams, class discussions, and projects aid in the development of critical thinking skills.  Class discussions are designed to link topics in such a way that the student understands the context for each issue in the course.  Presentations, group projects, application exercises, and group discussions in class are opportunities for engaging with other learners.  Time for reflecting and acting comes through exams, in-class questions, and the development project.

Specific Objectives

A breakdown of the topics that will be covered and the purpose of these topics is summarized below:

· Information Systems Environment: Introduce and familiarize students with different types of Information Systems and their importance to the modern organization.

· Chapter 1 (The Systems Analyst and Information Systems Development): Understand how to choose a strategy to develop an Information System.

· Chapter 2 (Project Selection and Management): Understand the importance of linking the Information System to business needs.

  Learn how to development Information Systems with the necessary functionality within the required time and cost constraints.

· Chapter 3 (Requirements Determination): Analyze organizational operations for business process automation, improvement, and re-engineering.

· Chapter 5 (Process Modeling): This is the most important chapter in this class. You will learn how to analyze the operations of an organization.

  You will diagnose flaws within the current operations of an organization and recommend how the operations of an organization can be redesigned through the introduction of an information system.

· Microsoft Project: Develop a strong proficiency for this project management tool for IS projects and all business projects.

· Global Information Systems Strategy: Understand the global business environment and the role that Information Systems play in the global marketplace.

What this course is Not

This is not a programming course - we do not any programming in this course at all. BIS majors will continue with BIS-Development in which we will learn additional project management techniques and apply programming (learned from your BIS programming class) to develop systems. Note: Supply chain and BIS majors have the same prerequisites coming into this course - BIS majors do not have courses that provide them with an advantage in this course.

Books And Supplies

• Systems Analysis & Design: 4^th Edition - Dennis, Wixom and Roth, 2009 - Wiley. ISBN-13: 978-0470228548; ISBN-10: 0470228547

• - student companion site http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&itemId=0470228547&bcsId=4649

• Microsoft Project 2007 - New Perspectives - Bunin - Course Technology http://www.course.com; ISBN 13: 978-1-4239-0594-3; ISBN 10: 1-4239-0594-6

Note for BIS Majors: You will be using the Systems Analysis and Design book for BIS-Development in Spring. You will also use the MS Project book in Dr. Mackay's Project Management/Consulting class your senior year. I would also recommend that supply chain majors hang onto their books - you will likely need them as a reference for work at some point.

Grading
The student’s overall grade will be based upon his or her performance on readiness assessment tests, quizzes, application exercises, projects and assignments, and group evaluations as follows:
 

It is your responsibility to keep track of your grades throughout the semester. Following any exam or graded assignment, I will be happy to discuss the results with you for up to ONE WEEK after the grades are distributed.  After one week has passed, the grade is final. All final grades are assigned after the final examination and will be determined as follows:

Please note that I do not haggle over grades. If a student disagrees with the way I have graded something, please write an explanation as to why he/she disagree with my assessment. I will then evaluate this and provide a response. Following any exam or graded assignment, I will be happy to discuss the results with you for up to one week after the grades are distributed.  After one week has passed, the grade is final. Please note that that there is no rounding – e.g. 92.975% and is not rounded up.  Grades can be viewed at e-college. In addition, I have provided a spreadsheet that allows students to track their grades. Ultimately it is the student's responsibility to keep track of their grades throughout the semester.

Tests and Final Exam
There will be three exams worth 67% of the total course grade points. These tests will cover material from each assigned chapter as well as material covered in class discussions.  Exam I and II are together worth 42%. For Exams I and II, your higher test score will be worth 22% and the lower test score will be worth 20% The Final Exam (Exam III) is non-cumulative and will be worth 25%.

Group Performance
Group Performance refers to the peer evaluation conducted by each group at the end of the semester.  Each student will rate the other members of his/her group according to their contribution to the group against a variety of criteria.  This evaluation is then factored into the raw score used to compute final grades.  Details on the group maintenance process will be made available during the evaluation process.

Note: The group project grade will not count to bring up the student's overall course grade unless the student's overall exam grade average is a C (70%) or above. In other words, the course project cannot help a student get a higher grade if that student has a C- average or below as an individual exam average. 
 

Late Assignments
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day assigned. There are times where I will need to post the solution of an assignment for the benefit of the class. In such occasions, no late assignment will be allowed to be submitted after the solution is posted.  If the solution has not been posted - any assignment turned in late will receive a deduction of 25% of the possible points per day for the first two days, no exceptions. No assignments will be accepted after two late days.
 

Course Requirements and Participation
It is the responsibility of the student to attend all classes. The course is fast-paced and covers a lot of topics and material. To complete this course successfully you will need to:

1. Prepare for each class by completing the specified assignment (see class schedule). In general this will require reading one or more chapters of the textbook "Systems Analysis & Design" by Dennis and Wixom. There are also several instances in which Application Exercises require advance preparation.  Again, this will be noted in the class schedule.  Case studies which will receive special attention will be noted in the class schedule and pointed out in class; be prepared to participate in a thorough discussion of these cases in particular.
2. Attend and participate in each class. Participation means being an active participant in the class by contributing to discussions in a meaningful manner. Simply showing up does not constitute a high participation grade. To be properly prepared you will need to have completed the class preparation assignment thoroughly. This also means that you should spend your time in class focused on class. Pager and cell phone interruptions are unacceptable, and can result in penalties against your final grade, as can leaving class early or without the instructors prior approval, or excessive absences. A noted disturbances to the class will result in full point penalty to the student's final grade after the first warning. As web surfing and handling email during class is disruptive to other students in class, please refrain from using your computer for purposes other than following class material and/or taking notes. Absences, use of the computer, or other disturbances othat is deemed distracting to the class will result in the reduction in your participation grade. After the first warning, if additional problems occur, I reserve the right to assign a grade of zero to a student's participation grade. If a student is disrupting a particular class, I reserve the right to remove that student from the class that day. In such a circumstance the student will be receive a zero on assignments (even if they are turned in) or any quizzes given that day. 

Other class policies to note:

1. Class Policy on Absences:  Class attendance is mandatory. Three or more unexcused absences will affect the participation grade for this class. If a student has 5 or more unexcused absences, the student will receive a participation grade of zero. If a student has 8 or more  unexcused absences from the course, that student will automatically receive a reduction in one full letter grade in addition to the penalty assigned to the attendance/participation grade. Greater than 10 unexcused absences will result in a failing grade in the course.
   • University Excused Absences: These absences are related to university sponsored activities in which a faculty member or administrator requests you be excused from class (i.e. athletics, band, drama, field study, etc).  These are automatically approved.  Other absences (illness, death in family, etc) require an approved excuse from the Dean of Students or other outside source before they are accepted.  Students absent because of a UEA will not be penalized in any way for the absence, and will be given every opportunity to make up missed work.  If you miss class due to an UEA, I will be glad to meet with you to discuss any material you may have missed.
   • Unexcused Absences: If you miss class without a University Excused Absence (with the exception of certain conditions outlined below), you absence is considered unexcused.  It is assumed that you will obtain all necessary information and materials (i.e. class notes, assignments, etc) from a classmate.  You will NOT be eligible to make up work missed because of an unexcused absence. 
   • Exception:  It is sometimes necessary to miss class for various reasons which are not university sanctioned.  In this case, check with me before class (or immediately upon your return).  If I agree that the absence was unavoidable, I will not count the absence towards the absence limits on the attendance policy.  However, it is still an unexcused absence and you will NOT be eligible to make up work missed because of the absence.
2. Written Work:  Effective written communications is considered one of the most important skills required by business professionals.  It is absolutely essential that all students in this course are able to communicate their thoughts and opinions in a written format.  It is expected that all written assignments in this course will be developed in a professional manner.  Students in this class will follow standard writing conventions used in business, including:  correct spelling, subject/verb agreement, complete sentences, correct use of punctuation, proper citations (including internet sources), and paragraph formatting and lay-out).  All assignments turned in must follow the following guidelines (unless stated by the instructor):
   • Computer generated by word processing or other software.  No handwritten work accepted.
   • Printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper
   • 1" minimum margin on all sides, 1.0" on bound sides
   • no type size smaller than 12 points (except footnotes, end notes, and citations)
   • appropriate use of charts, diagrams, and graphics
   • color may be used to enhance the document, but must be used professionally
   • name, date, and group or section number on all pages
   • tables of contents, diagrams, and attachments should be included where appropriate
3. Oral Presentations:  This course will give you the opportunity to build your oral presentation skills in both formal presentations and informal class discussions.  You will be expected to display an appropriate professionalism at all times.  For help on developing and polishing your presentation skills, group are required to make an appointment with the Center for Professional Communications.
4. Group Project Grades: Any student that does not have a at least a "C" average in their individual course work (exams, quizzes, homework, etc) will not have their group project grade factored into the calculation of their overall grade.

Computer Laboratories
The BIS lab was donated by RadioShack. A stipulation of the gift is that it be used for BIS majors only. After 3:00 p.m. when classes are not being held in the BIS lab, it is restricted only to declared BIS majors and to Supply Chain majors enrolled in INSC 30723. Please use one of the other computer labs in the Neeley School for your computing needs if you do not meet the requirements of the RadioShack BIS Lab. Door lock codes will be issued to declared BIS majors and to those Supply Chain majors enrolled in INSC 30723. Door lock codes are not to be given out to other students nor are students to open the door to allow non-BIS or qualifying Supply Chain majors enter the room. Nor are students to bring food or drinks into the lab. The room is monitored at all times by video cameras and those individuals violating the BIS Lab Use Policy will have points deducted from their final course grade in each BIS course for each infringement. Software is available in other labs for you to complete your assignments.

It is highly recommended that you do not wait till the last minute to complete assignments.  "I could not get into the lab" or "the network was down" will not be accepted as an excuse for late assignments (except in extreme cases and at the discretion of the instructor).  Also, be sure and use good file management practices, including saving your work and archiving often.  There will be no allowances for computer, network, or media failure.

Class Communication
E-mail and the course web page will be the primary means of communications.  I check my e-mail regularly and will respond to your questions or requests in a timely manner.  I will expect the same courtesy from you.  The course home page is the primary method for providing students with timely information regarding all aspects of the course.  Learn to check the class news page on a regular basis.  This page will provide valuable information regarding class assignments and news.  You will be held responsible for the information presented on this page - regardless of whether it was announced in class. Also, it is required that you use your official TCU email account in all communications with me.  I will not accept email from non-TCU addresses, and will not send messages to non-TCU addresses.  To access your TCU account from off-campus, you can use the following web page:  http://mail.tcu.edu.  

University Instructional Attendance Policy
The University Attendance Policy is that regular and punctual class attendance is essential and no assigned work is excused because of absence, no matter what the cause.  Records of class attendance are kept by faculty.  When an accumulation of absences reaches the point of endangering a student’s academic status, the faculty member should report his situation to the Campus Life Office.  An instructor should not assume that continued absence from class indicates an official withdrawal until notified by the Registrar. When a student is absent to represent the University (as in athletics, band, chorus, national or state meeting of organizations represented at TCU), then official University absence may be granted by the Campus Life Office.  Faculty/staff who wish to have an activity sanctioned for official University absence status must submit the names of all students, including date and hours absent from campus, to the Campus Life Office no later than one week prior to the date of the activity.  The Dean of Campus Life reviews and approves the request as appropriate and forwards the names for publication and distribution to all faculty through the TCU Weekly Bulletin.  Faculty is required to permit students to make up work missed because of official university absences. Serious illness or family emergencies may be verified by the Campus Life Office but are not considered official absences.  Illnesses that will be verified are those involving hospitalization, or catastrophic accidents or illness.  When a serious illness or emergency has been verified, each instructor should assist the student to make up any missed work.  Time lost through such absences should NOT prejudice class standing.  Faculty members should specify the appropriate time frame for making up missed work. Students who miss an instructional experience are expected to meet with faculty to discuss their absence as soon as possible.  Faculty may permit a student to make up missed work or assess a penalty for class absence.

Academic Conduct Policy
In order to encourage and preserve the honor and integrity of the academic community, TCU expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. In instances of cheating during an exam, quiz, or other assignments, the instructor shall have the right to suspend the student(s) who is(are) cheating from further work on the exam, quiz, or assignment, and deny the student(s) credit for the exam, or exercise. All instructors or proctors shall the right to examine materials in the student’s possession during quizzes and exams. Cheating is defined as: Copying from another student’s test paper, quiz, report, abstract, or any other application exercise. Using, during a test or quiz, material and/or devices not authorized by the instructor Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test, quiz, or abstract without permission. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting, in its entirety or in part, the contents of a test or other assignment unauthorized for release. Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself, to take a test or other assignment or make a presentation. Plagiarism is defined as: the appropriation, theft, purchase, or obtaining by any other means another’s work, and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of that work as one’s own offered for credit. Collusion is defined as: the unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing work offered for credit.

Students with Disabilities
Texas Christian University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities.  Eligible students seeking accommodations should contact the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities in the Center for Academic Services located in Sadler Hall, 11.  Accommodations are not retroactive, therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations. Further information can be obtained from the Center for Academic Services, TCU Box 297710, Fort Worth, TX 76129, or at (817) 257-7486. Adequate time must be allowed to arrange accommodations and accommodations are not retroactive; therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the academic term for which they are seeking accommodations.  Each eligible student is responsible for presenting relevant, verifiable, professional documentation and/or assessment reports to the Coordinator.  Guidelines for documentation may be found at http://www.acs.tcu.edu/DISABILITY.HTM. Students with emergency medical information or needing special arrangements in case a building must be evacuated should discuss this information with their instructor/professor as soon as possible.

Disclaimer
This syllabus represents my intentions before the semester starts.  Be aware that dates and topics may change with little or no notice.  Tests may be given on dates other than those appearing on the syllabus.  Pay attention in class for verbal notifications of changes.  If in doubt, or you have questions, contact me by telephone, email, fax or visit me in my office. This syllabus and the related tentative class schedule represent the planned progress of the course for the Fall 2007 semester. Changes may be required in the pacing, assignments, schedule, or other material matters. These changes will always be communicated to the class at the next meeting. In addition, the ‘Course Home Page’ section of the web site for this course will always contain the latest information available. I suggest you check it often (at a minimum, the day before each class meeting to be aware of any preparation required which was not known previously). You will be responsible for any changes which have been appropriately published.