BIS4225.

3
Components of
Information Systems
Architecture
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 Objectives
To understand the
components for an
Information Systems
Architecture.

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 Reading Materials
Notes

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Strategy Components
Info Systems
(Applications)

Info Tech Info Mgt

(Delivery) (Management)

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 Strategy Components
These three strategies:
align IS development with the
business strategy;
form an integrated approach
to IS development;
help control and manage the
project.
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Info System Strategy
Info Systems
(Applications)

Info Tech Info Mgt

(Delivery) (Management)

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 Info System Strategy
Defines what the org
intends to do with
technology.
Used to ensure that
applications are aligned
with business needs.
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 Info System Strategy
Overview:
Division/Function-based
Demand oriented
Business focussed

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 Info System Strategy
Must be formulated at the
same level as the business
strategy - level of the
Strategic Business Unit
(SBU).

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 Info System Strategy
Essential and tactical short-
term applications.
Applications based around
more medium-term business-
driven needs and longer-
term visionary investments.

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 Info System Strategy
Two Main Components:
Information Architecture
Info Systems
(Applications)
Application Development
Portfolio

Info Tech Info Mgt

(Delivery) (Management)

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 Information Architecture
Defines:
Business activities;
Information needed by these
activities;
Dependencies between
activities.
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 Info System Strategy
Two Info Arch Components:
Information Architecture
Info Systems Data Modelling
(Applications) Activity Modelling
Application Development
Portfolio

Info Tech Info Mgt

(Delivery) (Management)

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 Information Architecture
Data Modelling:
Traditionally done at analysis
and database design
Concept can be used for high-
level view of business data (in
relation to business activities)

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 Information Architecture
Data Modelling: Example
Pick Order Promo Mtrl Supplier

Cust Order Product Payment

Cust Delivery Product Stock Delivery

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 Information Architecture
Activity Modelling
Defines the business activities
of an organization, not a
detailed view
Shows what the activities are

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 Information Architecture
Activity Modelling: Example
MDX Company

Business Mgt Marketing Finance

Strat Planning Mkt Planning Fin Planning

Prog. Dev. Sales Promo Fin Mgt

Budgeting Sales Perf Cash Mgt

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 Information Architecture
Integrating the Views:
A view of how information
needs (data) interact with
business processes
(activities)
Affinity analysis: Groups
related data and activity
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 Information Architecture
Integrating the Views:
Example
Business Data Business Activities
A1 A2 A3 A4
D1
D2
D3

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 Application Dev Portfolio
A list of application
projects to be initiated or
developed.
Ensures:
Development is organized around
business priorities.
Resources are efficiently allocated.

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Application Dev Portfolio
No technical details.
Contains estimates for:
Resources
Schedules
Budgets
Priorities
Deliverables
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Info Tech Strategy
Info Systems
(Applications)

Info Tech Info Mgt

(Delivery) (Management)

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 Info Tech Strategy
Defines how technology
will be used.
Concerns technology
policies and architecture.
Focusses on delivery.

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 Info Tech Strategy
Overview:
Activity-based
Supply oriented
Technology focussed

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 Info Tech Strategy
Two Techniques:
Info Systems
(Applications)
Business Systems
Architecture

Technical Info Tech Info Mgt

Architecture (Delivery) (Management)

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Business Sys Architecture
Framework for the future
development of business
applications.
Defines the proposed
business systems in terms
of functions and flow of data
between them.
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Business Sys Architecture
1.0
Receive
Payment
Customer Payme Receipts &
nt Receipts Summary

Sales
Record
2.0 Validated
Compare receipts
cash
& tape 3.0
Prepare
4.0 Verified deposit
Record receipts
Sale summary
Deposit

Sales
Journal Bank

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Business Sys Architecture
The applications in this
model correspond with
those in the IS Strategy:
Information Architecture
Applications Development
Portfolio
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 Technical Architecture
Derived from the Business
Systems Architecture.
Defines:
Technical facilities
Use of facilities by business
systems and locations
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 Technical Architecture
Technical Facilities:
Computing (Hardware,
operating system software)
Communications
Organization and control of
data assets, incl security.
Actual applications.
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 Technical Architecture
Define types of technology and how they communicate.
(No standard notation; does not mention products)

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Info Management Strategy
Info Systems
(Applications)

Info Tech Info Mgt

(Delivery) (Management)

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Info Management Strategy
Defines the policies and
actions:
Roles and structure of IS/IT
activities
Management controls and
responsibilities
Performance measures
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Info Management Strategy
Overview:
Organization-based
Relationships oriented
Management focussed

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Info Management Strategy
Issues to be decided:
Centralization or decentralization
of resources and activities
Committees to oversee
developments
Organization of IS/IT activities

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 Architectures in SDLC
Each architecture has a
different view.
Each strategy is defined by
a number of architectures.

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