Information Systems Development (ISD) of an organization involves different processes that are to be collated systematically. To accomplish this task, a number of professionals of various levels like System Analysts, Information Systems Manager, Programmers, etc. work together. The processes of ISD include identifying the needs of clients, planning, analyzing, task managing, design and development, application testing, etc. “Four basic functions of the system development process are functional requirements or analysis, system design, system build and system maintenance.” (Davidson, Paul, et al, (n.d), 3).
Analyst generally concentrates on the fact-finding process. Information Systems Manager always engaged in finding out the advantages of various ways of systems development, possible problems being faced during the task, tries to dig out any hidden facts associated with it, discovers the areas where computerization is not feasible, arranges interviews related to the different level of staff involved in the project, their clients, etc.
From the above, it is revealed that the Information Systems Manager(ISM) performs the key role of ISD. He is the person who is concerned with every stage of the entire process. He is also called Systems Co-ordinator as he coordinates each and every process of the project. He also analyzes the system requirements involving end-user requirements, management requirements, platform/hardware requirements. The ISM is also responsible for analyzing information system constraints like cost, time, performance/quality, technical team, scope, politics, etc.
ISM may not be fully involved in the processes like system analysis and design, implementation (Testing, Integrating) but he will be an effective initiator who mainly conducts the feasibility study, carries out requirement analysis or Investigation Analysis, and other activities from starting a project to its end.
ISM: Main Responsibilities
The key responsibilities include the following tasks:
Feasibility Study
In this process, the Information Systems Manager conducts a detailed study regarding the present system, possible problems related to it, available and effective actions for its solution, etc. ISM also analyzes the aspects of the implementation of the new information system, whether it is practicable with respect to cost-benefit analysis. He also studies the companies information system objectives and technical/non-technical requirements. Keeping in all those facts he decides whether the work on the project will go on or not.
Requirement Analysis
“The requirement specification is the foundation of all the rest of the development stage, the work of the project manager should from then on be relatively straightforward, at least in the sense that the target has been defined.” (Adewola, 2008).
All the relevant data/information is collected from the clients/end-users by interviewing and visiting them, preparing questionnaires, and carrying out certain observations on them. The clients may be the marketing executives, administrative staff, directors, etc.
Root Definition
Root definition is the process of developing a well quality information system that can provide the best possible service to the clients. This is only possible if ISM coordinates everything in a purposeful and effective manner.
Like the above processes, ISM also supervises the design process, project implementation, and successful completion of the project. Other processes like Resource Allocation and Timescales also come under the ISM’s job. Based on the budget and available manpower for the project, the ISM allocates the resources and setting the time limits to the professionals for the effective completion of the project within the prescribed time limit.
From the above-mentioned activities, it is learned that Information Systems Manager has a significant role in the Information Systems Development Process as a complete co-ordinator of the system. Without ISM one cannot expect a complete project with all of its relevant qualities endorsed in it. (Reports on computer systems technology. (n.d.)).
References
Adewola, Adedeji. (2008). Information system in aquarius marketing: Requirement analysis. Academicmind. Web.
Davidson, Paul. et al. (n.d.). Available methodologies. Information Systems Development Techniques and Their Application To The Hydrologic Database Derivation Application. 3. Web.
Reports on computer systems technology. (n.d.). National Institute of Standards and Technology. 800(39). Web.