Applied Information Management System Assignment

Applied Information Management System Assignment

In this assignment we will use a car rental company for conducting systems and business process analysis.  The idea is to apply the systems approach and the PFD and data need assessment techniques for uncovering process and interface problems so that we can later address them through development of Information Systems. This also reinforces your skills with systems and process flow diagrams that you would use in your project.  The case is at the end, just scroll down.

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Goal of the Assignment.

Reinforcing the systems concept, PFD and data need assessment skill and understanding their use in discovering problems in Business Processes.

Objectives.

1. Demonstrate the difference between the symptoms and problems
2. Uncover problems in Business Processes using systems approach and PFD
3. Derive data needs for the various processes in the PFD using SIPOC
4. Draw systems diagram and process flow diagram for existing business processes

Tasks to perform.

Specific tasks that you need to perform are (you do not have to provide any solution at this point, that is Assignment 5).

1. List all the symptoms of the problems faced by CaRent.Identify and list the possible underlying problems.  Please note that symptoms are outward manifestations of problems (e.g. long wait time, misplaced paperwork) and they can be cascaded. (7 points)
2. List the possible external environmental pressure points faced by CaRent.Also list the various systems components of CaRent such as inputs and outputs, various sub-systems, interfaces, etc.  Draw a systems diagram that will represent CaRent using a suitable drawing program. (10 points)
3. Identify and list the various types of interfaces and associate the symptoms listed in part 1 with these interfaces and with the sub-systems identified in part 2. (8 points)
4. Develop two process flow diagrams for CaRent’s rental and return processes.Identify and mark the processes (circle them) and interfaces (put a red + mark on them) creating problems for the company and thus are in need for change. (10 points)
5. For the above process flow diagram, select about 5-6 processes that you think are in need of change and develop a SIPOC chart to show how the data/information are obtained by each of the processes along with the sources, storages, and sinks for those information items. (7 points)
6. Write a one page memo/description of your findings clearly articulating the problems faced by CaRent and the area where those problems are to be found.This is more of a summary of the work that you have done in step 1-5 above. (You have to follow the file attached for the memo writing). (8 points)

Due Date.

Please see above. Please submit electronically through the Assignment 1 link (found under the Assignments button) in MyLMUConnect. No part of this assignment can be hand-written (except the rough work); writings and the diagrams must be of professional quality.

Please understand that it is an individual assignment and each one of you will have somewhat unique answer for this assignment.  It is very unlikely that two answers will be the same.  If you need help, ask me. Any hint of unfair collaboration will result in failing grades BOTH in the assignment and the course without any recourse to further actions.

When you are uploading the Assignments, please make sure to click on the Assignment 1 link and then attach ALL THE FILES before you click on the Submit button.

Helpful Hints:

1. Please plan your work.  The business analysis often is an unstructured task and needs multiple iterations and attempts before all the processes can be clearly identified and laid out.  Try some rough systems diagram and PFD on paper.  Please include all of your rough work along with your submission (you can scan your hand-written notes, diagrams, etc). Please note that the final answers to the questions as well as all the final diagrams must be done in computer.  Only the rough work can be hand-written. I not only want to see the final outcome of your work, I also want to follow your thought process in developing the solution.  Hence the request.
2. Plan your memo as well.  Create an outline and a draft and do it early enough so that you have time for revision.  Read the guidelines on writing an effective memo that have been uploaded along with this assignment.
3. You can use PowerPoint, Visio, LucidChart or other drawing programs for your systems diagram and PFD.

For MyLMUConnect submissions:

Check the following before you upload your work.

1. Have you made sure that the computerized part of the assignment is professional looking?
2. Have you identified the symptoms?
3. Have you identified the problems that are resulting from the above symptoms?
4. Have you associated the symptoms and the problems?
5. If there are multi-level symptoms and problems, then have you correctly indicated them?
6. Have you drawn a systems diagram and shown the environmental elements?
7. Have you identified the sub-systems?
8. Have you connected the sub-systems using arrows and have you written the types of interfaces used between the sub-systems on those arrows?
9. Have you developed a PFD?
10. Do the swim lanes of PFD correspond to the sub-systems or actors identified earlier?
11. Are all the processes connected?  Have you made proper use of the decision diamonds?
12. Have you cleaned up the PFD with clean and straight connectors in your computerized version?
13. Have you revised the overall work at least once after completion to ensure that it is free of
14. Spelling errors
15. Grammatical mistakes
16. Unclean and confusing diagrams

Grading Criteria:  Your work will be graded on completeness and correctness.  Please make sure that you answer each of the sub-questions 1-6. To get a score at the A level you have to answer each of the sub-parts correctly and completely and your answer should reflect your understanding of the materials and successful application of the concepts taught in the class.  Incorrect and low quality answers will score lower.  Partial credits, however, will be given for incomplete but correct answers.

Please understand that it is an individual assignment and each one of you will have somewhat unique answer for this assignment.  It is very unlikely that two answers will be the same.  If you need help, ask me.