COMM 769

Advanced Systems Analysis and Design

Fall 1997

Course Description | Resources | Course Grading | Class Schedule | Tasks & Deliverables

I. Course Description

The overall objective of this course is to develop an advanced understanding of systems analysis and design. To this end, we will examine the theory and practice of contemporary methodologies, tools and techniques such as rapid application development, object-oriented analysis and design, and human-computer interface design. Learning will be accomplished through assigned reading, class discussion, and hands-on use of state-of-the-art technology.

Prerequisites: COMM 427 (or equivalent), and graduate standing.

Corequisite: COMM 768

II. Resources

• Rapid Development, by Steve McConnell, Microsoft Press, 1996.
• Object-Oriented Technology: A Manager's Guide, by David Taylor, Servio, 1990.
• A subscription to Computerworld: (800) 343-6474 (Note: be sure to tell them that you are a student! ... 39 issues for $18).
• In addition, students are expected to read IT-related publications (e.g., Computerworld, Information Week, etc.) and “surf the Net” for information relevant to COMM 769 on a weekly basis.

III. Course Grading

Final grade will be computed as follows:

Notes:

• Final letter grade will be assigned on a +/- basis.
• Project grade will consist of a client evaluation, a peer evaluation, and an instructor's evaluation. The weight of each evaluation will be determined by the instructor at the end of the semester.

IV. Class Schedule

Week	Topic(s)	Reading	Deliverable(s)
9/3	Introduction to Course
9/8	Classic Mistakes	Rapid Development Ch. 1-3
9/15	Teams	Rapid Development Ch. 12 & 13
9/22	Lifecycle Planning & Risk Management (Wed. 2-4:45)	Rapid Development Ch. 4-7	Career Day (9/26)
9/29	Estimation & Scheduling (+ Timebox Development)	Rapid Development Ch. 8, 9, 26, 27 & 39
10/6	Customer-Oriented Dev. & Feature-Set Control	Rapid Development Ch. 10 & 14
10/13	Fall Reading Break CMIT Program (10/17)	Rapid Development Ch. 28 & 37	Methodology Report Due (10/15)
10/20	Object-Oriented Analysis & Design	Object-Oriented Technology: A Manager's Guide
10/27	Best Practices in RAD	Rapid Development Ch. 18, 20, 21, 24, 31, 36, 38 & 42
11/3	Motivation	Rapid Development Ch. 11, 30 & 43
11/10	Silver Bullets Field Trip to AMSCAT (11/14)	Rapid Development Ch. 15
11/17	Project Recovery	Rapid Development Ch. 16	Exam (11/19)
11/24	Work on Project & Thanksgiving
12/1	Work on Project
12/8	Course Wrap-Up		Project Learning Statements Due (12/9, 12 p.m.)
			Final Project Due (12/22)

V. Description of Tasks and Deliverables

a. Contribution to Class Learning

The objective of CLC is to provide a means of assessing the degree to which individuals contribute to the learning of their peers. More specifically, CLC is designed to go beyond the traditional "class participation grade" by capturing knowledge dissemination and skill transference both inside and outside the classroom. To this end, students will be asked to evaluate their peers (via GroupSystems) using the following instructions:

Think about the people who have contributed to your learning in this class. Perhaps someone has provided you with a relevant article, helped you solve a problem in the computer lab, or provoked a new idea during a verbal discussion (inside or outside of class). Mentally consider all students on the list and ask yourself, "What have you [the other student] done for me this semester?" Select that student from the outline, and share your comments. "Sign" each comment with your name or initials. You will not be able to view comments submitted about a student, either your own comments or another person's comments.

b. Methodology Report

Each student, working individually, is required to answer the three-part question below based on current literature, class-related reading material, and class discussion. Your answer should be typed (not to exceed one single-spaced page per part, using at least an 11 pt. font) and pledged.

Authorized aid on this assignment includes published literature as well as all instructional material and personal notes pertaining to COMM 769. The use of reports from previous semesters and/or consultation with anyone other than the course instructor is strictly prohibited (i.e., such action will be considered an honor offense).

Reports will be graded with respect to both content (e.g., quality and quantity of problems/issues/ideas raised) and quality of presentation (e.g., clarity and presentation).

Part A

Develop a table comparing and contrasting the following three methodologies:

• structured methodologies;
• information engineering methodologies; and
• object-oriented methodologies.

Part B

Generate/describe a list of potential problems and issues involved in the introduction of a new systems development (i.e., specifically an object-oriented) methodology into an organization. Note: Be sure to number your list so that each item can be referenced in Part C below.

Part C

Discuss ways in which organizations can effectively deal with each problem/issue identified in Part B.

c. Exam

An exam will be used to evaluate each student's understanding of the basic concepts and practices necessary for the rapid development of computer-based information systems. The exam will consist of two parts:

• Part I (30%) - Take-home case analysis (due 11/19)
• Part II (70%) - In-class, 10 short answer questions (4-10 pts. each) based primarily on the following chapters of the McConnell book:
  • 1 - Rapid Development (and 2 to a certain extent)
  • 3 - Classic Mistakes
  • 5 - Risk Management
  • 7 - Lifecycle Planning
  • 8 - Estimation
  • 11 - Motivation
  • 13 - Team Structure
  • 15 - Productivity Tools
  • Best Practices (only those listed on the schedule above)
    

  Calculators are optional!

d. Project

The primary purpose of the project is to provide an opportunity for each student to gain experience working directly with a client on the rapid development of an information system. Specific learning objectives include:

• project management
• client management (including scope control and interpersonal communication)
• team management
• requirements analysis
• systems design
• application development
• quality assurance (including testing)
• documentation

Tasks and Deliverables

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Date last modified: February 02, 2005

Copyright © 1997 R. Ryan Nelson, RNELSON@VIRGINIA.EDU