Information Systems Analysis

Code:

CINF044

Acronym:

ASI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Information Science

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Informatics Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor of Arts in Information Science

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CINF	35	Study plan	3	-	6	41	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Information Systems Analysis addresses the life cycle of systems based on information technologies in an organisational context: planning, design, development, implementation, maintenance, elimination/replacement.

Students will develop a set of skills and knowledge, whose core is information management, allowing them to intervene in all phases of this life cycle, collaborating with stakeholders from other disciplinary areas.

The concept of socio-technical system is the background against which process analysis methodologies, conceptual modelling methods and system analysis and specification methodologies are addressed.

Then, given a situation of potential introduction or development of an information system in an organisation, the student will be able to participate and/or conduct an analysis process that leads to the definition of the detailed technical and organisational requirements of that system.

Learning outcomes and competences

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Skills
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This course aims to enable students with:

• technical skills to analyse organisational processes and identify, analyse and specify information systems requirements;


• transversal skills to participate in project teams involved in the development of information systems in organisations.

It is also intended that students acquire a socio-technical attitude regarding the development of information systems in organisations, that is, that they face development activities as always requiring a balanced and integrated intervention in technical, organisational and social terms.

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Learning outcomes
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Being approved to the UC, students will be able to:

1. describe the life cycle of technologies and information systems in organisations;


2. define what the information systems strategy of an organization is;


3. explain the alignment between business strategy and information systems strategy;


4. describe the activities involved in the planning and design of information systems;


5. explain how the analysis of organisational processes is instrumental in the life cycle of information systems;


6. know how to use conceptual modelling methods as support for the analysis of organisational processes and the specification of information systems.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Information Systems Planning in organisations


2. Analysis of organisational processes for Information Systems


3. Information Systems Design

Mandatory literature

Stephen A. White; BPMN modeling and reference guide. ISBN: 978-0-9777527-2-0
Howard Podeswa; UML for the IT business analyst. ISBN: 978-1-59863-868-4

Complementary Bibliography

Hans-Erik Eriksson; Business modeling with UML. ISBN: 0-471-29551-5

Teaching methods and learning activities

In theoretical classes, the expository method is used to present the conceptual, theoretical and methodological basis of the themes included in the content of the UC. In these classes, the discussion of the UC themes by the students is also carried out, motivated and streamlined by the teacher.

In practical classes, the expository teaching method is used for the consolidation of process analysis methodologies, conceptual modelling methods and system analysis and specification methodologies with presentation of examples and exercises. In these classes, through the problem-based method, students also perform small group work based on cases where students apply the knowledge obtained in concrete situations. 

For monitoring and participation in theoretical and practical classes, students perform readings and previous studies, contained in the UC plan. Due to the practical nature of the discipline, the evaluation is carried out continuously through theoretical/practical work and tests, namely:

• 3 individual tests scheduled at the beginning of the semester;


• 3 group work planned at the beginning of the semester.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	60,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	80,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho de campo	40,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Mandatory presence in 75% of practical classes. Mandatory presence in all tests and scheduled group work.

Calculation formula of final grade

CF = 0,4*TG + 0,6*MT

Minimum grade of 30% required in each test and 40% in the average grade of the tests. Minimum grade of 30% required in each group work and 40% in the average grade of group work.

Teachers can differentiate the classification of students from the same group, depending on the perception of the effort and participation developed by each element, as well as participation and discussion in oral presentations in classes.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

No difference in the evaluation of TE, DA, etc. except for the cases provided for in the regulations.

Classification improvement

It is possible to improve the grade of the individual component of the tests, at the time of appeal, through an examination.

The grade of the group evaluation component is not subject to improvement at the time of appeal. It can only be improved in the next occurrence of the Curricular Unit.

Observations

The Portuguese text prevails over the English translation.