Information Systems Design

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Credits
6
Types
Specialization compulsory (Information Systems)
Requirements
  • Prerequisite: IES
Department
ESSI
L'assignatura de Disseny de Sistemes d'Informació (DSI) està  organitzada per a assolir tres objectius. Per una banda, estudiar diferents estratègies actuals per tal de proveir a les organitzacions d'un Sistema d'Informació: desenvolupament a mida, outsourcing i offshoring, adopció de grans paquets de software estàndard, integració d'aplicacions, etc. Per altra banda, es fa una anàlisi detallada de l'arquitectura en capes dels Sistemes d'Informació i s'estudien les principals decisions a prendre per a realitzar el disseny de cada una de les capes. Finalment, l'assignatura està  basada en assolir la competència d'aprenentatge autònom mitjançant l'estudi i pràctica dels conceptes relacionats amb la temàtica de forma individual per part de l'estudiant i amb debats i discussions a classe.

Teachers

Person in charge

  • Enric Mayol Sarroca ( )

Weekly hours

Theory
2
Problems
0
Laboratory
2
Guided learning
0.4
Autonomous learning
5.6

Competences

Technical Competences

Common technical competencies

  • CT2 - To use properly theories, procedures and tools in the professional development of the informatics engineering in all its fields (specification, design, implementation, deployment and products evaluation) demonstrating the comprehension of the adopted compromises in the design decisions.
    • CT2.2 - To demonstrate knowledge and capacity to apply the characteristics, functionalities and structure of data bases, allowing an adequate use, design, analysis and implementation of applications based on them.
    • CT2.3 - To design, develop, select and evaluate computer applications, systems and services and, at the same time, ensure its reliability, security and quality in function of ethical principles and the current legislation and normative.

Technical Competences of each Specialization

Information systems specialization

  • CSI2 - To integrate solutions of Information and Communication Technologies, and business processes to satisfy the information needs of the organizations, allowing them to achieve their objectives effectively.
    • CSI2.2 - To conceive, deploy, organize and manage computer systems and services, in business or institutional contexts, to improve the business processes; to take responsibility and lead the start-up and the continuous improvement; to evaluate its economic and social impact.
  • CSI3 - To determine the requirements of the information and communication systems of an organization, taking into account the aspects of security and compliance of the current normative and legislation.
    • CSI3.3 - To evaluate technological offers for the development of information and management systems.
  • CSI4 - To participate actively in the specification, design, implementation and maintenance of the information and communication systems.
    • CSI4.3 - To administrate databases (CES1.6).
    • CSI4.2 - To participate actively in the design, implementation and maintenance of the information and communication systems.

Transversal Competences

Autonomous learning

  • G7 [Avaluable] - To detect deficiencies in the own knowledge and overcome them through critical reflection and choosing the best actuation to extend this knowledge. Capacity for learning new methods and technologies, and versatility to adapt oneself to new situations.
    • G7.3 - Autonomous learning: capacity to plan and organize personal work. To apply the acquired knowledge when performing a task, in function of its suitability and importance, decide how to perform it and the needed time, and select the most adequate information sources. To identify the importance of establishing and maintaining contacts with students, teacher staff and professionals (networking). To identify information forums about ICT engineering, its advances and its impact in the society (IEEE, associations, etc.).

Objectives

  1. Understand and know how to choose between different alternatives for the construction and implementation of an IS to the organization.
    Related competences: CSI2.2, CSI3.3,
  2. Explain what is an IS development methodology and explain the differences between different specific methodologies.
    Related competences: CT2.3,
  3. Define what IS design is and the principles that guide this process.
    Related competences: CT2.3,
  4. Defining the concept of architecture YES, explain some of the most important architectural patterns and their characteristics.
    Related competences: CT2.3,
  5. Learn to design a simple IF based on a layered architecture.
    Related competences: CT2.2, CSI4.2,
    Subcompetences:
    • To design of a subset of use cases of an IS by applying the appropriate design decisions and UML diagrams to document it.
    • To assign responsibilities fot the realization of a use case of an IS to each layer using the concepts of Boundary, Control and Entity.
    • To describe and document IS use case realizations using UML models in a layered architecture.
    • To know the major decisions taken during the design (external and internal) of the presentation layer.
    • To know the major decisions taken during the design of the domain layer.
    • To know the major decisions taken during the design of the data management layer.
  6. To perform the logical design of databases for an IS from the conceptual framework and management patterns using persistence.
    Related competences: CT2.2, CSI4.3, CSI4.2,
  7. Learn to describe the main responsibilities of a database administrator
    Related competences: CSI4.3,
  8. Know how to describe what the integration of components and / or applications and topologies and levels of integration.
    Related competences: CSI2.2, CT2.3,
  9. Learn what it is the acquisition of standard packages, the selection criteria and techniques of adaptation, extension and parameterization.
    Related competences: CSI2.2, CSI3.3, CT2.3,
    Subcompetences:
    • To know how to define a set of criteria to make the process of selecting a component, a software technology provider, etc..
  10. Knowing what is outsourcing the development of an SI, existing strategies, make decisions, as well as advantages and disadvantages.
    Related competences: CSI2.2, CT2.3,
  11. Being aware of the need for a continued and updated knowledge of new types of IF required by the market, new technologies available and new design methodologies.
    Related competences: CSI2.2, G7.3, CT2.3,

Contents

  1. Introduction to the Design of Information Systems
    We introduce the concepts of Information System, Information Technology, and what is the IS design activity.
  2. Ways to get an IS
    We discuss and comment alternative ways to incorporate an information system to the organization: custom development, outsourcing development, acquisition standard packages, hiring external services, ...
  3. Development Methodologies
    We introduce the concept of software development methodology. We analyze two examples of methodologies. We present the principles that guide the design process.
  4. IS Architecture
    We present the concepts of enterprise architecture and architecture of a IS. We study the most important architectural patterns. We present the characteristics of the IS architecture.
  5. IS Design based on a layered architecture
    We present in detail the layered architecture. The responsibilities of a use case are distributed between architecture layers (Boundary, Control Entity). We perform the design of the Presentation, Domain and Data Management. We make the logical design of the database schema taking into account the conceptual schema. We study two patterns for managing data persistence. We describe the main responsibilities of a Database Administrator.
  6. Application Integration
    We describe in what the integration of applications consists. We describe different levels of integration and integration topologies.
  7. Adoption of standard software
    We describe the general process for the acquisition and selection of standard software. We describe the selection criteria. We present techniques for adaptation and extension of the functionality of standardized software.
  8. Outsourcing software development
    We introduce the concepts of outsourcing and offshoring. We study the strategies to follow and the decisions to make. We analyse candidate projects to outsource their development. The advantages and disadvantages are analysed.
  9. Advances in design of SI
    Briefly analyzed the new advances at methodological level, the new types of IS and new technologies that may affect the activity of IS design.

Activities

Activity Evaluation act


Introduction to basic concepts of Information Systems and Design of Information Systems

The teacher and students in a collaborative and participatory session analyse the meaning of the concept of Information Systems and of the activity of Design within the life cycle of an information system. Examples are presented and analyzed their characteristics.
Objectives: 3 11
Contents:
Theory
1h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
2h

Study of alternatives to obtain an IS for the organization

The student will participate in the discussion of the different alternatives presented by teacher for building an IS and will complement it with the study of additional texts.
Objectives: 1 11
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
4h

Study of development methodologies

The student studies in some detail the main features of the two development methodologies and the differences between them. The findings of this study will be presented to the the rest of students in a discussion session to compare and analyze the two methods.
Objectives: 2 3 11
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
6h

Study of different IS architectures

The student complements architecture descriptions given by the teacher with a study based on literature and other documentation provided or find by the student. Students are responsible for the study of one specific architecture in detail and individually. In the session of problems, a student presents his study to discuss among the rest of the class.
Objectives: 4 11
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
6h

Study the process of adopting standard software

Students will perform a deepening of these themes with the reading of supplementary texts.
Objectives: 9 11
Contents:
Theory
1h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
2h

Selection techniques and extension of standard software.

The students carry out tasks and problems posed by the teacher for the selection of a particular standard package, both in defining the criteria to consider, as in the evaluation process and selection. At the same time, we propose the deepening technical extension of the functionality of a standard package with the use of a pattern while performing an exercise and its application in Case Study course.
Objectives: 9 11
Contents:
Theory
4h
Problems
4h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
12h

Study of a Layedred Architecture

Students will participate in the analysis of different examples of IS and its relationship in a layered architecture.
Objectives: 4 11
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
6h

Delivery of the selection of a standard software package made ​​to the Case Study od the Course.

Students will give the teacher the result of the selection process of a standard software package for Case Study Course. The delivery will be in two parts: the first of the criteria selected to perform it and the second consists in the selection process and outcome evaluation.

Theory
0h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
3h
Autonomous learning
0h

Delivery of the exercise of software package selection of the Case Study of the course.

Students will give the teacher the results of the process of Selecting a Software Package for the Case Study of the course. The delivery will be in two parts: the first part is the description of the selection criteria chosen by the package, and the second part will consist of the outcome of the selection process and evaluation.
Objectives: 9
Week: 8
Type: assigment
Theory
0h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
1h

Allocation of Responsibilities to Layers and Use Case Realization

The student will document the Use Case Realization of an IS by means of problems proposed to discuss into the class of problems. At the same time, students apply these concepts in the Case Study of the course.
Objectives: 5
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
6h

Design of the Presentation Layer

Students will study in depth the Model-View-Controller pattern and perform exercises applying it. In turn, the student will carry the design of the presentation layer of the proposed Case Study of the course using the artifacts and documentation proposed and applying the Model-View-Controller pattern.
Objectives: 5
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
4h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
11h

Design of the Domain Layer

Students will participate in the recall and depth of these decisions.
Objectives: 5
Contents:
Theory
1h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
1h

Design of the Persistence Layer

Students practice with exercises and problems suggested by the teacher making the design of a database. In addition, students will analyze the performance of exercises and problems, the implications in the design of information system applied a strategy of persistence or another. Moreover, the students will design the persistence layer of management in the Case Study of the course to be undertaken.
Objectives: 5 6 11
Contents:
Theory
4h
Problems
4h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
12h

Responsabilities of the DAtabase Manager of the organization

Students will analyze and discuss with the teacher the responsibilities of a Database Administrator for an organization and its participation in the activity of designing an IS.
Objectives: 7
Contents:
Theory
1h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
2h

Introduction to Application Integration

Students will perform a deepening of the theme from reading additional texts to be discussed at the meetings of problems.
Objectives: 8 11
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
4h

Delivery of the design of layers of the Case Study of the course.

Students will give the teacher design a small SI (or part of an IF) using a layered architecture. The delivery will be in two parts: first the general approach of working to arrange a date between the group of students and teachers, and the second will consist of complete design once completed.
Objectives: 4 5 6 11
Contents:
Theory
0h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
3h
Autonomous learning
0h

Delivery of the Case Study Design based on a layered architecture.

Students give to the teacher the design of a small IS (or part of a IS) following a layered architecture. The delivery will be in two parts: first part consists on the plan a general structure of the design in a date arranged between the group of students and the teacher, and the second part will consist of the complete design.
Objectives: 4 5 6 11
Week: 13
Type: assigment
Theory
0h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
1h

Study on theoutsourcing software development process

Students will perform a deep study of the theme by reading of supplementary texts.
Objectives: 10 11
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
4h

New trends and future

The student (and teacher), through the literature search and documentation, provide examples of new developments in the design of new types of IS in organizations that are appearing, new trends and new methodological IS architectures.
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 8 9 10 11
Contents:
Theory
0h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
4h

End of course questionary

It is a questionnaire about the whole subject of course to assess the level of student learning

Week: 14
Type: theory exam
Theory
1h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
0h

Teaching methodology

So that methodology has the expected effects, it is required that students must have been present at least 70% of class hours.

The course is divided into different types of sessions.

There is a session of two hours where the teacher (or some students) present the main concepts of the topic planned for that week with an exhibition and participatory class with other students.

The exercise sessions are intended to work concepts explained in the presentation sessions solving exercises, discussing exercises solved by students, or discussing texts studied by students independently.
The study of individual texts are complemented by the completion of a questionnaire that the teacher can pick up (at the beginning of class) to be assessed and must be used to guide the discussion that takes place in the session problems.
Solved exercises prior to the meeting can be picked up by the teacher (beginning of class) to be evaluated. During the session a student proposes a problem or exercise solution to be discussed between students and teacher.
Sometimes, the teacher proposes an exercise questionnaire to be resolved during this session in small groups, the teacher can gather it to be evaluated and will be discussed at the end of the session.

The hours of independent study are designed to study individually, the conduct of exercises, reading texts and activities proposed by the teacher for the deepening of the theme of the course by the student.

Complementary is planned to carry out two types of work by students:
- Making a Case Study Course, consisting on the design of a small and simple Use Case or a subset of Use Cases for a more complete IS. This design is made using a layered architecture and is the result of applying the concepts studied during the first part of the course. Alternatively, based on the same or another case study, the teacher propose an exercise base on selection of a subsystem or component software standard. These exercises are conducted in groups of 2/3 students.
- Small jobs on searchong information related to the theme of the course. This work consists of given some specifications by the teacher of a subject not treated in sufficient detail in class, students must carry out a search of the most significant bibliography and synthesis of the subject. This work is done individually or in groups of 2/3 students and preparing a document structure and content previously agreed with the teacher. In general, these papers will be presented in class for discussion in public among all the other students.

Evaluation methodology

Final Score (NF) of the technical skills of the subject is obtained by weighting the rating questionnaires and exercises (NQE), Note Case Study course (NCE), the Research Working Note Information (NTR) and Participation Note (NP):

NF = 0.35 NQE + 0.25 NCE + 0.30 NTR + 0.10 NP

where:

The NQE is the average of the notes of the exercises and quizzes that teachers gather for the kinds of problems. The final questionnaire of course has a weight of 30% within this component. The rest of questionnaires have a weight of 70% within this component. It is required that the student has delivered 80% of the collected works. The final course questionnaire, which is required resolution for all students. Failure to deliver more than 80% of questionnaires / exercise, or not deliver the final questionnaire, this component will be evaluated with NQE = 0.0.
Failure to attend class or work session before the proposed questionnaire, forbits to deliver solved questionnaire.

The NCE is the note concerning the completion of the exercise of Design in layers and / or Standard Software Selection made by the students for the Case Study proposed for the course. Students, with teacher recommendation and taking into account their previous knowledge, made under compulsion of the two exercises. These works are done in small groups of 2-3 students and deliveries will be made with an interview with the teacher to present and explain the work. The note for each student is calculated from record obtained from the work.

The NTR is the note of the work of searching for information given during the course. These works consist of the student search for information to different topics studied in class. According to the topic of study, it is proposed to be made individually or in groups. The note of each student is calculated from record obtained from the work and is proportional to the dedication of each student in the performance of work, the quality of the information and searched, and their capacity for synthesis of their findings.
There is no predetermined number of research information to be requested during the course the student. In all the activities proposed for the student to do a search for information or further learning, or on their own initiative of the student, students prepare a report. This report will contain a list of information sought by the student from references provided by the teacher or references you need the student, with a brief summary of their contents and an analysis of the contribution that has this information regarding the working in class.
Failure to attend the session of research presentations (if any) prevents the opportunity to submit their own work or to solve session questionnaire.

The NP is the assessment by the teacher of the student's participation in the meetings at which the teacher or other students present the concepts of the subject and especially in the discussion sessions of problems. Additionally also takes into account the student's participation in the work of finding information.
The attendance of less than 70% of classes involve an assessment of 0.0 in this section.

The assessment of competence assigned to cross the course is obtained from the evaluation of delivery (NTR) and taking into account participation (NP), and has values ​​A, B, C, D, as:

o if the note is between 8.5 and 10
or B if the note is between 7 and 8.4
or C if the score is between 5 and 6.9
or D if the note is less than 5

Bibliography

Basic:

Complementary:

Web links

Previous capacities

Those obtained in subjects pre-required to this subject