Welcome to MIS2101 section 732 for the Fall 7A 2022 semester! I have the pleasure of being your MIS 2101 instructor and look forward to meeting you virtually.
Please note that we do not have a traditional syllabus for this course. You will find all of the information typically included in a traditional syllabus here, on our class community site. Make sure that you review all of the content including the schedule on this site before our first class!
See you all soon!
C
Bita Bagheeri says
Week 1:
According to Forecast Academy, the waterfall “is a sequential methodology that can also be collaborative, but tasks are generally handled in a more linear process.” Agile SDLC “is an iterative methodology that incorporates a cyclic and collaborative process.” The waterfall is more of an easier procedure and moves straight from one stage to the next stage, whereas agile moves throughout the project’s lifetime. MIS stands for management information systems and the whole purpose of this system is to collect information and data to examine and analyze everything in order to come up with a decision in management. Our daily routine can be classified as a system. For example, I wake up, I brush my teeth and wash my face. I get ready for work. I go to work and do my job. As I am working, I gather information and complete required tasks in order to do my job correctly and therefore get compensated for it. A lot of the things that we do every day is a system and there are reasons behind each system. According to the Career Foundry Blog, UX is to make sure that users are getting the best experience with a certain products. The 4 core processes of designing UX is “user research, design, testing, and implementation”.
Acronyms:
SDLC- Systems Development Lifecycle
API- Application Programming Interface
ERP- Enterprise Resource Planning
UX- User Experience
A system is the process of doing something with steps and procedure and eventually getting a result out of it. The 3 components are input, process, and output. System Analysis is a process to examine a system and determine whether that system is structured and effective. The core of all systems is pretty much the brain of all systems. It gathers information and data in order to accurately and effectively complete instructions that it is given. According to Mays Business School, MIS professionals “help firms realize maximum benefit from investment in personnel, equipment, and business processes.”
Links to sources:
https://www.forecast.app/blog/difference-between-agile-waterfall
https://www.shopify.com/encyclopedia/management-information-systems-mis
https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ux-design/the-ux-design-process-an-actionable-guide-to-your-first-job-in-ux/
https://www.asianefficiency.com/systems/3-parts-to-every-system/
https://mays.tamu.edu/department-of-information-and-operations-management/management-information-systems/
Adelina Chornodola says
Hi Bita,
I like how you used your daily routine to set an example. I definitely agree that what we do everyday is a system.
I like how you used direct quotes for the definitions, helps us understand it better (I did that as well)
Kelli Spadt says
Greetings Bita,
I also liked your personal example of a system. I am always saying “I have my own system” when doing task that need to be down quickly and correctly.
Kelli
Bita Bagheeri says
Week 2:
1. We are using Salesforce to learn the mechanisms of this platform so we can then use it to determine customer behavior, response and reactions to different marketing strategies.
2. Specific to this course, we are using Salesforce to act as a Digital Product Manager in Max Labs. The benefits of creating a database include things like “trustworthy reporting, proactive service, simplified collaboration”, etc. Salesforce has made it easier to input and store customer information.
3. A circle is the starting and ending of an event. A rectangle represents the activity of a process. A diamond represents decision-making of a process. Arrows show the flow of the process. A cylinder represents stored data and information.
4. Process Mapping is a visual representation of the breakdown of a process. We use process mapping so we can be precise and accurate and look for solutions to a problem.
5. One mistake in this swim lane diagram is that “Place Order” should start with a circle since it is the beginning of the process. “Finish” should also end with a circle because it is the end of the process. “Deliver” should be a rectangle instead of a cylinder because it is an activity. Finally, “Finish” should be placed at the bottom of the diagram in the “Finance” section.
6. One benefit to swim lane diagrams is that it determines who does what and in what order it is being done. Another benefit is that it is a training tool for people to make sure the right steps of the process are being taken. Swim lanes can also be handed off to a computer, HR, etc. to be reviewed.
Mishelle Werner says
Hi Bita,
I liked your observation that a swim lane diagram is a good way to train someone in the process of doing their work. I may need to utilize this idea at my work to create a training guide for new customers.
Thanks!
Mishelle
Cherelle Gaillard says
Hi Bita,
I like your take on how Salesforce makes it easier to input and store customer information. I used Salesforce at my previous job and the developers made it so easy to input all the information we had to gather from customers. Being on the “developer” side in Maxlabs really makes me appreciate them because of how tedious it is.
Adelina Chornodola says
Week 1:
-According to the Forecast App, Agile “is an iterative methodology that incorporates a cyclic and collaborative process but waterfall is a sequential methodology that can also be collaborative, but tasks are generally handled in a more linear process. This means that the Waterfall SDLC is more straightforward/ easier because it goes straight from one stage to another yet Agile has twists and turns.
-Management Information Systems (MIS) studies and collects all information on people, technology, organization and how each relates in order to make decisions. This is how management comes up with a decision. This even applies to our daily lives from the moment we wake up because our whole day is a system.
– In my daily life, I go to work and use MIS. We process many transitions through the day, such as paying bills, bookkeeping, and accounting. I gather information throughout the day to make important decisions .
-The 4 core process of designing UX starts with dividing 4 key phases:user research, design, testing and implementation.
-The acronyms are;
SDLC – System development life cycle
API – Application Programming Interface
ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning
UX – User experience
-A system is the collection of information step by step, coming up with a decision and getting a result.The three components of a system are input, process and output.
-System analysis is a technique of problem solving to help evaluate whether a system is working well in order for the business to achieve goals.
-The core is the brain of all systems, it receives instruction and performs to complete those instructions.
-MIS professionals create and manage information systems for management to meet the needs of customers, staffa and managers.
Olivia Jardel says
Aledina,
I agree with the waterfall SDLC being more straightforward and easier to navigate through as a development process. I believe that the agile may take more time as well, due to the many individual “cycles” or steps to each process.
Adelina Chornodola says
Week 2
-We are learning Salesforce in this course because each of us will be able to apply it to our future jobs. CRM software is being used in everyday business practices. Now we will be able to list on our resumes that we have used this program, making them stand out more.
-The benefits of creating a database in Salesforce is that it stores data such as leads, taks, accounts, notes. When we do the labs, all the data is saved after each task making it very helpful especially when you are working on teams, each member can see the important changes and notes regarding meetings they missed.
-The symbols that are used in swim lanes diagrams are:
Circle – The start and end in the diagram
Rectangle – An activity in process
Diamond – Decision that must be made
Arrow – The flow of a process
Cylinder – Represents stored data
Actors – Human, machine or a computer program. Their role is to complete setps/tasks in the swim lane diagram.
-The process of mapping is used inside business process management with individual steps in order to show how a process should work from start to finish. We use it because it helps with organization, creates a timeline and helps business be more efficient.
-The corrections in the diagram should follow:, the process needs to begin and end with a circle (“start” and “finish”). The delivery needs to be a rectangle because it’s an activity. Lastly, there should not be an in-stock triangle because there is no option of stocks.
-The benefits of swim lanes are that it visualizes the complexity of a process which makes it simpler to read and understand.
Mishelle Werner says
Hi Adelina,
I agree with your take that Salesforce will be used for all of our future jobs. At my current job we have our own company CRM but I am fully expecting to be using Salesforce at my future position after graduation.
-Mishelle
David Trickett says
– The waterfall SDLC is a linear process, where one phase of the process has to be completed before moving on to the next. On the other hand, the agile method relies more on collaboration, where the phases are flexible and offer greater testing.
– MIS, Management Information Systems, is defined in the linked powerpoint as simply “using Information Technology to solve business problems.”
– A system that is involved with my everyday life would be Canvas. The parts that are most used are often the modules sections as well as the calendar, which allows me to be better organized.
– The four core processes of designing UX are research, design, testing, and implementation.
– SDLC: Systems Development Lifecycle
– API: Application Programming Interface
– ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning
– UX: User Experience
– A system is a set of people or processes working together to form a unified network. The three components of a system are people, process, and technology.
– System analysis tries to achieve a solution to a problem by first studying a process, then creating systems that can effectively and efficiently solve such problems.
– The core of all systems is known as the brain, which performs calculations based upon instructions.
– MIS professionals, as defined in the linked Temple video, are trained in “how to understand, develop, and leverage information technology in the organization.”
(I apologize, but I also posted this under Week 1 Discussion Questions as I was not sure where the proper place to post was).
https://tuprd-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/tue28808_temple_edu/Ec6gTAzk2ndDg7iBgwGOqxAB0vIOaZ5hO47Kfd4pe1RXHQ?e=xhtvKK
https://vault.temple.edu/video/what-is-mis-the-modern-organization-system/#p3clip:0.0.88950.97730
Mishelle Werner says
1. Waterfall SDLC is a divided and sequential software development lifecycle which breaks up the development into separate phases which get completed one after another. This way of development can take a long time because each part has to be full done before moving on to the next phase. In Agile SDLC, development is broken up into phases, but work is down collaboratively and quickly in “sprints” with the teams working together as fast as possible. Development in agile can be done in 2 to 4 weeks instead of a longer 2-to-4-month timeframe. The development done in these sprints is then tested and another iteration can begin. The key differences is that the way the team work together collaboratively in Agile and the speed in which Agile can develop.
2. MIS is the use of technology and system processes to record, store, and process data to produce information valuable to business practices.
3. A system I use on a daily base is our Sales App at work. I work at a Regus business center, and we get inquiries and tours on a weekly basis. For any information we get, we fill that into the program, and it is saved for current and future use. After putting in the info, the customer is assigned a tracking number and the call center will follow up with them to gather more information and follow up with possible rental spaces and tour information. The system follows them until they either sign an agreement and it then switches departments or until they are no longer interested, and it files them away for future use.
4. 4 Processes of UX Design
1. User Research
2. Design
3. Testing
4. Implementation
5. Acronyms:
o SDLC – Systems Development Lifecycle
o API – Application Programming Interface
o ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning
o UX – User Experience
6. A system is a collection of it’s three components which are used for a purpose.
1. Input
2. Process
3. Output
7. Systems analysis attempts to evaluate in order to understand and improve the efficacy of a system.
8. The core of all systems is the processing of input in order to get to an output. Without the processing there would be no system at all.
9. MIS professionals create and manage information systems to meet the needs of their business. In this capacity they act as a communication bridge between the technology operations and the business needs of management.
(I posted in the wrong course site originally)
Mia Quagliariello says
Hi Mishelle! I think its really cool that you have experience with systems at work. I really liked your explanation of your current experience at work using a sales app! I think that it sounds a lot like some of the MaxLabs we are doing with inputting pitches and their data into the software.
Adelina Chornodola says
Hi Mischelle,
It was interesting to learn that you have to use systems at work and added it to this post as an example. It really shows that we really do use systems everyday in our lives and now that we do maxlabs it all comes together in a more detailed picture.
Mishelle Werner says
Week 2:
1. We are learning the basics of Salesforce because CRM software’s are becoming a major part of everyday business practices. By having an introduction to a CRM software, we can list this on our resumes and have an advantage over other job applicants in our respective fields.
2. I would say the benefits of creating a database in Salesforces are that you get so many different ways to track and gain insights into your customer. When doing the labs, you can really see how every meeting, pitch, contact, and so much more can be recorded. These things can be so helpful when you have a team of people who have to interact with the customer but maybe have not directly meet them or sat in to the meeting.
3. Symbols
a. Circle – Start or End of the Diagram
b. Rectangle – An Activity
c. Diamond – A Decision
d. Arrow – The flow of a process
e. Cylinder – Represents Stored Data
f. Actors – The stage, phase, group, department, or even individual denoting a step of the process in which symbols pass through.
4. Process mapping is the illustration of the flow involved in a process. It gets rid of specific details and focuses only on the actions of the work. We use this to then improve efficiency by simplifying a process and getting rid of redundancies.
5. Mistakes in the Swim Lane Provided
1. The start should be a circle instead of a rectangle
2. The in-stock triangle. There is no option for no stock.
3. The deliver step shouldn’t be a cylinder as this is not stored data but an action, which should change to a rectangle.
4. The end should be a circle instead of a rectangle.
6. Creating swim lane diagrams clarifies the complexity of a process and improves communication and understanding for the individuals involved by making an easy to interpret visual guide for processes.
(I posted in the wrong course site originally)
David Trickett says
Hey Mishelle,
CRM softwares are definitely becoming a major part of modern business practices, and for good reason, as they help businesses organize data and build relationships in ways previously unavailable. I liked how you also mentioned the Max Labs when talking about Salesforce’s benefits, as they do allow you to gain a greater understanding of how data is recorded and organized.
Great job!
Cherelle Gaillard says
1. We are learning Salesforce for exposure to a great platform that delivers cloud-based systems that a lot of companies use.
2. The benefits of creating a database in Salesforce is giving us the exposure to the CRM tool to be Digital Product Manager in MaxLabs.
3. The symbols used in swim lane diagrams are:
a. Circle – the starting and ending of an event in the process
b. rectangle – represents an activity in the process
c. diamond- represents a decision that must be made
d. arrow – indicates the flow of the process
e. cylinder – represents stored data.
4. Process mapping is a visual representation. We use it to breakdown a process and identify problems.
5. The four mistakes in the swim lane diagram are.
a. Place order – should be a circle because it’s the start of an event in the process.
b. Finish – should also be a circle because it the ending of an event in the process.
c. Delivery – should be a rectangle because it’s an activity in the process.
d. In stock – shouldn’t be an option because there’s no stock option.
6. The benefits of swim lanes are that it processes who does what in what order, whether it be logical and chronological order and indicates hand offs. It could also help train new hires.
Cherelle Gaillard says
I forgot to add this is week 2 questions
Mia Quagliariello says
Hi Cherelle!
I totally agree with you about swim lanes, and it is interesting that you bring up how it could help new hires; If I were a new hire, I would love a concise visual like a swim lane to help me with certain tasks or day to day operating. I would especially like them if I was being placed with a team as it could be beneficial to everyone finding their role and getting things done efficiently.
Stefanie Meier says
Week 1:
As read in the forecast app blog, the key difference between agile and waterfall methodologies falls back on agile being an iterative methodology which includes a cyclic and collaborative process. On the other hand, waterfall methodologies are usually handled in a more linear process. MIS, or management information systems seems to be just a system of monitoring and collecting information to allow management to run smoothly. If I am understand it correctly, it almost acts as the backbone of every successful company’s operations. The four processes of the UX design process are user research, design, testing, and finally implementation. Input, processing, and output are the three components to every system. System analysis attempts to aid in determining the efficacy of a system. The core of all systems is the brain. It receives information, or the input, it processes the information the was just inputted, and then spits out an output. Finally, MIS professionals act as the bridge between companies necessities as well as technology. MIS professionals analyze, design, implement and administer IT.
Molly Lehr says
The waterfall SLDC is a sequential approach to developing software. The development is divided into different phases and only when the previous phase is complete can the next phase be started. That is why it’s so important to make sure that each phase is being completed correctly because if it is not, then you have to start all over. The agile SLDC focuses on team collaboration while developing software and also customer satisfaction. Developing teams work in short cycles and there isn’t a sequential approach to it. An initial flawed prototype is made and developers over time work on it until it is ready to be used.
MIS is using Information Technology to solve business problems. It consists of hardware and software that serves as the backbone of an organization’s operations. An MIS gathers data from multiple online systems, analyzes the information, and reports the data to help management make better business decisions.
Parts of a system that are involved with everyday life include ordering things you need off the internet like Amazon, buying lunch at a food stand, and through my work as a bartender, I input orders and drinks into a POS system that help track inventory and costs.
The four core processes of designing UX are research, design, testing and implementation.
SDLC- System Development Life Cycle
API-Application Programming Interface
ERP-Enterprise Resource Planning
UX-User Experience
A system is an organized collection of parts that are highly integrated to accomplish an overall goal. It has various inputs which go through certain processes to create outputs. The three components are people, process, and technology.
System analysis is the evaluation of a system in order to determine if another course of action should be taken to further business initiatives. It helps businesses make better decisions.
The core of the system is the brain. It receives instructions and performs calculations, or operations to satisfy those instructions.
MIS professionals analyze, design, implement, and administer Information Technology. They deliver IT to businesses and apply IT to business goals.
David Trickett says
Hey Molly,
Your note about MIS and using Information Technology, and how they serve as the “backbone” of an organization is certainly true, as their use is integral in business operations. I also liked your examples of systems that you use in your everyday life, as well as how you tied it into your occupation.
Well done!
Oliver Forssell says
Week 1:
Waterfall and agile SDLC are two separate systems used to complete projects or work items. Agile is an iterative method that incorporates a repeating and collaborative process. Waterfall is a sequential methodology that can also be collaborative, but tasks are generally handled in a more linear process. Furthermore, the primary difference is that Waterfall is a linear system of working that requires the team to complete each project phase before moving on to the next one. Agile, however, encourages the team to work simultaneously on different phases of the project. A management information system is used for decision-making, coordination, control, analysis, and visualization of information within an organization. Examples of MIS in daily life include payroll processing, order processing, such as for an e-commerce business, invoicing, etc. These systems also rely on user experience, or UX, a process of designing a good user experience by creating and organizing the interfaces people interact with. The daily user research, design, testing, and implementation are all core processes. The architecture of a system also relies on five key elements being, conceptual diagram, structural components, identify/ solve problems existing or new, and communication tools. System analysis is conducted for the purpose of studying a system or its parts in order to identify the objectives. Without having a clear end goal for the system at hand, there becomes little purpose of implementation. To relieve this problem, MIS professionals create a clear information system for data management and to meet the needs of managers, staff, and customers. Overall, the management information system professional helps in strategic planning, management control, operational control and transaction processing.
Mia Quagliariello says
Week 2 Post
We are using salesforce to be exposed to and understand cloud based systems products. Asides from professional development, it helps being more efficient with data and gives us experience with the program first hand.
The benefits of creating a database in Salesforce not only is it is efficient and very intuitive to use, but can streamline all sorts of data, help visualize data and make it generally easier to access and read.
Swim lane diagrams represent who does what in what order. Circle represents a start or an end, a rectangle represents an activity, a diamond represents a decision, an arrow represents the flow of the process, and a cylinder stores data. Actors’ roles are to interact with the system.
Process mapping is a visual used to show the flow and allows those using it to visualize and outline a process and communicate and improve certain areas better.
The swim lane is missing an arrow to a no option of an item being out of stock and then going to cancel order. The delivering would be an activity rectangle towards the customer not a stock manager and the finish would be a circle as it indicates the end.
Swim lanes are beneficial to taking processes that would otherwise look complicated and visualizing them to easily read and see. Just looking at a swim lane I can personally tell easily where processes flow and what needs to happen as opposed to if I were handed a sheet just detailing all of the processes verbally.
Sources:
https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/process-mapping
Thao Hong says
Explain the waterfall and agile SDLC, and the key differences between them.
Waterfall is broader than agile. Waterfall means creating a general summary, a sequence of the whole plan, step by step like a chronic order. Meanwhile, agile is more of a learning process as we go. It is more cyclic and collaborative.
What is MIS all about?
MIS is all about managing systems. This include the people (actual manpower), process, and technology.
Explain the parts of a system that is involved with your everyday life.
Anything simple task in your daily life can be broken down to a step by step order as every task often require a chain of actions continueing occur one after another. For example, you want to get breakfast for work, pick up through online ordering, for the sake of time saving.
You have to choose a place/what you want for breakfast.
Then, you go online, go to their website, and choose the location convinient for yourself.
You put in your order online.
The site takes you to a payment secure website to pay for your order.
Meanwhile, on this end, the systems pick up your order.
Receiver put in your order with their barista.
The barista pick up the order.
He/she makes the order.
The order then is set aside waiting to be picked up
You arrive and claim the order.
What are the 4 core processes of designing UX
Research
Design
Testing
Implementation
Important acronyms to know
SDLC – Sofeware Developement Cycle
API – Application Program Interface
ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning
UX – User Experience
What is a system and what are the three components?
The system is and intergrated combanition of : people (manpower), process (actual chronic order) and technology. The three components include:
+ demonstration
+ representation
execution
What does System analysis try to achieve?
– System analysis try to provide an evaluation of value in order to organize/plan furture course of action in which it would provide the best desired outcome.
What is the core of all systems?
The amount of data, aka information.
What do MIS professionals do?
– Managing systems, including manipulation of information, managing people, process and technology.
Bita Bagheeri says
Week 4
1. Your digital identity is collective information of data that exists on the Internet. You can join a social network to create an e-portfolio of information that you would want put online. Whatever you do not want to display, you should keep private.
2. It is important to have a good digital identity because it is a permanent documentation of you and you want to make sure that you are proud of what you are showing the Internet.
3. MIS community platform is a cloud-based platform built on WordPress. It allows for social exchanges, open co-creation, and digital branding.
4. The purpose of an e-portfolio is to provide information and documentation of some achievements and work that an individual has done and can do.
David Trickett says
Week 1: Question Set #2
– We are learning Salesforce in this course in order to understand and gain exposure to the platform’s various ways of improving relationships between customers and businesses.
– The benefits of creating a database in Salesforce are both the greater efficiency as well as the ability for easy storage of large amounts of data. The collaborative abilities in Salesforce allow for greater cooperation within a business.
– In a swim lane diagram, a circle represents the starting and ending of an event in a process, the rectangle represents an activity in that process, a diamond represents a decision that has to be made, arrows indicate the flow of the process, and a cylinder represents stored data. An actor may be an individual, group, entity, etc., and they are responsible for the activity in their specified swim lane division.
– Process mapping describes the actual making of the swim lane map/diagram, and shows the steps needed to make a process happen. We use process mapping to properly diagram the steps/tasks/actors in a swim lane in order to maximize efficiency.
– The mistakes in the given swim lane are 1) The “Place Order” step should be inside a circle, not a rectangle, 2) The “In stock?” Step should have an arrow option for “No” and a circle succeeding it, 3) The “Cancel Order” step should be in a circle, and 4) The “Finish” step should be in a circle.
– The use of a swim lane diagram can have many benefits. Notably, they serve as a simple, organized way to identify the steps and actors in a process. Moreover, they also are very helpful in finding inefficiencies and other various problems in such a process, thereby providing greater detail and organization.
Kelli Spadt says
David,
You are on point with stating the swim lanes are great for find inefficiencies. At my company we just recently created a swim lane diagram for purchasing and eliminated some unneeded steps .
Kelli
Anthony Rosado says
Hi David, Salesforce does improve relationships between customers and businesses. This also provides the business with a customizable customer relationship management tool.
Kelli Spadt says
• Explain the waterfall and agile SDLC, and the key differences between them. -Waterfall is linear so the team must complete each phase of a project before moving to the next. Agile has the team working all at once on different phases of the project
• What is MIS all about? – It is the management information system, and its purpose is to collect information and data so it can be examined and analyzed to help make management decisions.
• Explain the parts of a system that is involved with your everyday life. -I work with JDE software to enter purchase orders. I receive the order request and process it. Which creates a PO and “pending inventory and invoice” It basically starts a waterfall. Each part must be completed to eventually close the order.
• What are the 4 core processes of designing UX-user research, design, testing, and implementation
• Important acronyms to know
• SDLC-systems development life cycle
• API-application programming interface
• ERP-enterprise resource planning
• UX-user experience
• What is a system and what are the three components? -input, process, and output
• What does System analysis try to achieve? – they try to identify a systems objective, problem solve
• Readings – System analysis
• What is the core of all systems? To process the input to get output
• What do MIS professionals do? They create information systems for data management
Kelli Spadt says
Week 1 part 2
• Why are we learning Salesforce in this course? 2.1 It is the number one CRM cloud platform and knowing it is in demand in the business world right now.
• What are the benefits of creating a database in Salesforce? 2.1 It increases sales productivity, identifies opportunities, and eliminates redundancy
• What are all the symbols used in swim lane diagrams, and what does each represent? 2. 1
• Circle-start/end
• Rectangle- activity in Process
• Diamond-decision
• Arrow-flow of process
• Cylinder-stored data
• Actors-who owns the process
• Remember: actors don’t have specific names – (identify the role/job function).
• What is Process mapping and why do we use it? 2.1It gives insight into a process and helps a team improve it, this is done to improve efficiency
• The following swim lane has four mistakes in it, locate and correct the issues.
• Swim lane diagram with multiple issues
• The squares should be circles for start/end
• The deliver cylinder should be a rectangle
• The finish should be at the bottom not in the top
• What are the benefits of swim lanes? I think a benefit it that is makes it easier for departments to work together. Understanding the importance of each set is important.
Anthony Rosado says
Hi Kelli,
You described the benefits of the swim lane well. This helps cross-functional departments collaborate better. I also like how they clearly identify the actors and steps within a process.