This unit is designed to provide students with an understanding of a range of tools and techniques for systems development and knowledge of a number of specific systems development methodologies. The main topics include the tools and techniques for systems development, the evaluation of the tools and techniques, evolution of development methodologies, the organisational context in which systems development takes place and a number of systems development approaches. These include participative development, soft systems approaches, object-oriented development, structured systems development approaches, data and information-oriented approaches and rapid application development.
Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:
(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:
(b.) Additional requirements (all students):
See also Unit timetable information
FIT9130 or FIT5130 or FIT9003 or equivalent
Henry Linger
Consultation hours: By appointment
To be announced
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The University’s student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash’s educational strategy, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
Based on student feeback:
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
| Week | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0 | |
| 1 | Introduction, Overview of systems development concepts - traditional SDLC; evolution of system development approaches | Assignment 1: Critical Review handed out. References for papers 1-3 for tutorial review handed out |
| 2 | Guest Lecture; Learning Skills Unit, Monash Library - Writing Critical Reviews and Presentation Skills | Assignment 1 discussion |
| 3 | Philosophical perspectives (paradigms, ontology, epistemology). Frameworks for understanding, comparing, selecting and adopting System Development practices/methodologies | Review of first paper in tutorial |
| 4 | People/organisational themes in IS development approaches/practices - organisational cultures, stakeholders, communities of interest | Review of second paper in tutorial |
| 5 | Structured systems analysis and design and ER modelling practices; ISD methodologies SSADM, I.E. Objected-oriented development practices; ISD methodologies, RUP OOA | Review of third paper in tutorial |
| 6 | Soft approaches/practices - ISD methodologies - SSM | Assignment 1: Critical Review due. Presentation of Assignment 1 findings. References for papers 4-6 for review available |
| 7 | Soft approaches/practices - ISD methodologies - SSM review; Effective Technical Human Implementation of Computer Systems (ETHICS) | Presentation of Assignment 1 findings. References for papers 4-6 for review available. Assignment 2: Case Study available. |
| 8 | Participative development approaches/practices - JAD; Prototyping; RAD - JMRAD, DSDM | Review of fourth paper in tutorial |
| 9 | Participative development approaches/practices - Agile methods - SCRUM | Review of fifth paper in tutorial |
| 10 | External development practices - application packages, outsourcing, offshoring | Review of sixth paper in tutorial |
| 11 | Other delivery methods and issues | Assignment 2: Case Study report due. Presentation of Case Study |
| 12 | Summary and Review | Presentation of Case Study |
| SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC | |
| Examination period | LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/ academic/education/assessment/ assessment-in-coursework-policy.html |
*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.
Examination (2 hours): 40%; In-semester assessment: 60%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1: Critical Review and presentation of findings | 20% | Assignment due Week 6. Presentation in Week 6 and 7 tutorials |
| Assignment 2: Participation Assessment - Tutorials discussion of journal articles | 15% | Review tutorials will be in Weeks 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 |
| Assignment 3: Case Study report and presentation | 25% | Assignment due Week 11. Presentation in Week 11 and 12 tutorials |
| Examination 1 | 40% | To be advised |
Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/assessment-hurdles.html)
Academic Integrity - Please see resources and tutorials at http://www.monash.edu/library/skills/resources/tutorials/academic-integrity/
It is expected that you will attend at least 80% of the lectures, particularly all lectures given by the industry experts.
Please note that you should attend all of the student presentations, as outlined in the individual assessment descriptions below, and attend at least four out of the six review presentations in tutorials.
This assignment will be assessed on:
Detailed specifications will be provided on the Assignment sheet.
A Marking Guide for this assignment will be made available on the unit Moodle website.
You are expected to have read the paper specified for that tutorial, prepare some notes that summarise your understanding of the given paper, and identify questions and issues that, in your opinion, the paper raises related to ISD methodologies and/or practice, and be prepared to discuss this in a review group.
The assessment for this item is based on the peer evaluation and tutor observation of your performance in the tutorial, including preparation, participation and contribution, the ability to allow and encourage others to contribute, the ability to share your understanding of ISD with other students and the ability to use the University library resources.
The submission and presentation will be assessed on completeness of the assessment task and the quality of both the written and oral presentations of the task findings. As a group activity assessment will include peer reviews and tutor observation in order to assess different contributions of group members, both quantitative and qualitative. Feedback and constructive criticism will be assessed on other groups' work observed during their presentations. Assistance and practical work will be given during the preceding tutorials in order to assist team building and team communication.The lecture by the Language Skills unit from the library will assist with skills needed for the formal presenation part of this assignment.
Additional relevant readings and references will be provided on the unit Moodle website during the semester.
Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html
Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.
You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html
It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/student-academic-integrity-managing-plagiarism-collusion-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an electronic submission). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.
Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Limited copies of prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.
Students must use the online facilities available through the unit Moodle website. Information regarding references, schedules, asessment tasks and so on will be available there. Students will also be expected to access and use the discussion forums. Students are also expected to use Library resources to support their assignment and tutorial work.
Students are required to word process their assignments for submission. Handwritten assignments will not be accepted.
It is recommended that you refer to:
Avison, D.E. & Fitzgerald, G.. (2006). Information Systems Development: Methodologies, Techniques and Tools. (4th Edition) London: McGraw-Hill.
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash’s Education Policies at: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Important student resources including Faculty policies are located at http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at http://www.monash.edu.au/students. For Malaysia see http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services, and for South Africa see http://www.monash.ac.za/current/.
The Monash University Library provides a range of services, resources and programs that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Malaysia, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.