This document discusses planning and designing an information system. It outlines four main aspects of planning: identifying strategic objectives, identifying an information system to support objectives, analyzing system requirements, and allocating resources. The document then discusses designing an information system using the Systems Development Life Cycle approach of analysis, requirements, design, development, and implementation. Key principles of a well-designed system are also outlined, such as acceptability, enhancing decision-making, economy, flexibility, reliability, and simplicity. Finally, the document lists steps in the system design process such as reviewing requirements, designing and documenting the system, considering alternatives, selecting a design, and documenting the final design.

1. PLANNING AND DESIGNING
AN INFORMATION SYSTEM
DR. IRFAN UL HAQ AKHOON

2. PLANNING
How would a professionals decide whether or not to develop an information system
and how such a system will best support the management requirements, at all
relevant levels, and their expectations for expansion/integration?
There are four main aspects to planning and selection:
1. Identify the strategic objectives
2. Identify the information system which will support
3. Analyse, in detail the information system requirements.
4. Allocate resources and budgets to scheduled projects.
DR. IRFAN UL HAQ AKHOON

3. Where are we?
Where do we want to be?
What are the new rules?
The ideas derived from these questions are then used to develop detailed
recommendations as to the information systems needed.
The information systems questions for consideration are:
 How can information systems help?
 What are the information systems needs?
 What is the current and future information systems market?
PLANNING
DR. IRFAN UL HAQ AKHOON

4. DESIGNING AN
INFORMATION SYSTEM
DR. IRFAN UL HAQ AKHOON

5. DESIGNI
NG
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is an approach for designing and developing
Information System.
It proceeds in stages: analysis, requirements (vision of future state), design,
development and implementation.
Different people use the word design in different contexts.
When IS professionals speak of design, they are referring to the processes like, Problems
must be analyzed and requirements need to be documented before solutions are
designed, developed, and implemented.
However, satisfying the information need is really a baseline standard while designing
an information system
Thus, System design includes the organization of people, equipment, money and
procedures to process the information.
Information systems professionals often make the sketch of the design of the
final system same as an architectural design for constructing a building etc.
DR. IRFAN UL HAQ AKHOON

6. PRINCIPLES OF A WELL-DESIGNED
SYSTEM
Principle of acceptability
The success of a new system is highly dependent upon its acceptability by organizational personnel
or the persons for whom it is designed. For a successful system, the people who use it should
participate in its analysis, design and development.
Principle of enhancing the decision-making process
The new system should enhance the decision-making ability of organizational personnel. This design
approach allows more effective decisions.
Principle of economy
For economy in the new system, no information service should be provided that cannot be cost-
DR. IRFAN UL HAQ AKHOON

7. PRINCIPLES OF A WELL-DESIGNED
SYSTEM
Principle of flexibility
The new system should be adaptable in a changing environment by allowing easy expansion or
contraction.
Principle of reliability
Reliability in a new system refers to consistency over an extended period of operation. A high
degree of reliability can be designed into the system by including good internal controls.
Principle of simplicity
The simplicity of a system can be ascertained by providing a straight-line flow from one step to
the next, avoiding needless backtracking. Additionally, a simplified system is easier to understand
DR. IRFAN UL HAQ AKHOON

8. STEPS IN SYSTEM DESIGN
PROCESS
a) Review new system requirements
Systems design, devising new system approaches, centers on determining the requirements for a new system
must specify the following:
— New policies consistent with the organization objectives
— Planned inputs
— New methods and procedures
— Data files to be maintained
— Output needs
— Internal control considerations
— Equipment considerations
— The foregoing requirements for newly designed systems are not complete until the human factors are
considered.
b) Design the new system
c) Flowchart and document the new system: Accuracy, simplicity and ease of understanding are the essential
components since non-technical personnel may be reviewing and evaluating them.
DR. IRFAN UL HAQ AKHOON

9. STEPS IN SYSTEM DESIGN
PROCESS
d) Consider and review system design alternatives with proper personnel
e) Select the more promising alternatives with the help of properly experienced personnel
f) Compare the tangible and intangible benefits of the promising alternatives. Cost factors, volumes and
requirements for equipment and personnel should be carefully analysed to check the validity
g) Select the system design from among the promising alternatives that best meets the study’s requirements
h) Prepare the final system specifications for the recommended systems design. Relate the systems design
to other appropriate parts of the information system
i) Document the final design.
One of greatest contributions of following the above steps in systems design is that the right hand knows
what the left is doing. The final step remains the selection of the equipment.
DR. IRFAN UL HAQ AKHOON