System fundamentals

System Fundamentals

We are concerned with how systems integrate into organizations and how people use them. I used the standards from the IB, but added some other topics I think fit into this category (but not included by the IB).

The big ideas in system fundamentals

Systems in Organizations

A computer program or computer system is used by people who work in organizations. It is very helpful to understand how people, computers, and organizations work together.

Planning and system installation

• System planning
• Change management
• Legacy system
• Testing
• Implementation methods
• Data migration

User Focus

• User documentation
• User training

System Backup

• Data loss
• Preventing data loss

Software Deployment

• Managing releases and updates

System Design

Components of a computer system

• Hardware, software, peripheral, network, human resources
• Computers in a networked world
• Social and ethical issues in a networked world (also see ethics)

System Design and analysis

• Planning and stakeholder involvement
• Getting requirements from stakeholders (see also design process)
• Gathering information for solutions (see also design process)
• Illustrate system requirements (see also design process)
• Prototypes (see also design process)
• Iteration (see also design process)
• Why end-users matter so much (see also design process)

Human interaction with the system

• Usability
• Problems with usability
• Improving usability
• Moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of the interaction between humans and machines (see also ethics)

Standards

• 1.1.1 Identify the context for which a new system is planned.
• 1.1.2 Describe the need for change management.
• 1.1.3 Outline compatibility issues resulting from situations including legacy systems or business mergers.
• 1.1.4 Compare the implementation of systems using a client’s hardware with hosting systems remotely.
• 1.1.5 Evaluate alternative installation processes.
• 1.1.6 Discuss problems that may arise as a part of data migration.
• 1.1.7 Suggest various types of testing.
• 1.1.8 Describe the importance of user documentation.
• 1.1.9 Evaluate different methods of providing user documentation.
• 1.1.10 Evaluate different methods of delivering user training.
• 1.1.11 Identify a range of causes of data loss.
• 1.1.12 Outline the consequences of data loss in a specified situation.
• 1.1.13 Describe a range of methods that can be used to prevent data loss.
• 1.1.14 Describe strategies for managing releases and updates.
• 1.2.1 Define the terms: hardware, software, peripheral, network, human resources.
• 1.2.2 Describe the roles that a computer can take in a networked world.
• 1.2.3 Discuss the social and ethical issues associated with a networked world.
• 1.2.4 Identify the relevant stakeholders when planning a new system.
• 1.2.5 Describe methods of obtaining requirements from stakeholders.
• 1.2.6 Describe appropriate techniques for gathering the information needed to arrive at a workable solution.
• 1.2.7 Construct suitable representations to illustrate system requirements.
• 1.2.8 Describe the purpose of prototypes to demonstrate the proposed system to the client.
• 1.2.9 Discuss the importance of iteration during the design process.
• 1.2.10 Explain the possible consequences of failing to involve the end-user in the design process.
• 1.2.11 Discuss the social and ethical issues associated with the introduction of new IT systems
• 1.2.12 Define the term usability.
• 1.2.13 Identify a range of usability problems with commonly used digital devices.
• 1.2.14 Identify methods that can be used to improve the accessibility of systems.
• 1.2.15 Identify a range of usability problems that can occur in a system.
• 1.2.16 Discuss the moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of the interaction between humans and machines.

Produce a plan, simulation or model.

Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.

Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.

Give a brief account.

A state in which two things are able to exist or occur together without problems or conflict.

Assess the implications and limitations; make judgments about the ideas, works, solutions or methods in relation to selected criteria.

Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer.

Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity.

a group or system of interconnected people or things.

Develop information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

Prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or practical application.

Produce a plan, simulation or model.

Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.