Explain the concept of information systems planning

Individual Assignment

1. What should be submitted

A Word document (CIS568.W5.???) containing the requirements.
A PDF or Word document (CIS568.W5.PC.???) containing the plagiarism check report.

Simply copy (not screen print) the entire report to a word document and submit it. Completed plagiarism report must be turned in to receive credit for the assignment. If not available before the deadline, submit this document once it’s available. No penalty if the plagiarism check report is submitted late.

Remember to replace ??? with initials of your First, Middle, Last Names. For example, CIS568.W5.SSS.

2. Objective

To review and understand software application package selection criteria.

3. Assignment Requirement

As we approach the launch of Mary's MediBracelets new online selling site, she already has new ideas for other products and services.

Write a 2- to 4-page report for Mary, drawing from this week's reading and activities for information systems planning. Explain the concept of information systems planning, comparing at least two development planning methods, appropriate for new system implementation. Also, address the option to acquire (instead of build in-house) information systems, identifying and discussing the tools that might be used in the acquisition of a new information system.

Organization / Development

Include introduction and conclusion. There is no need to include an abstract for short papers.

Ensure the paper, excluding cover page, reference page and the appendix is within 2-4 pages.

*** The instructor will not read and grade pages beyond the 4th page. ***

Direct quotes will be excluded during grading of contents. Ensure the content in direct quote is not the primary fact.
Direct quotes must be less than 10% of your paper. Assignments containing more than 10% direct quotes will not be graded and assigned 0 point.
Address the required components of the assignment in the order outlined in the grading rubric. Otherwise, I might miss them while grading.
Each paragraph should consist of three or more sentences

Mechanics

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
- Please review “APA Guidelines” provided in Instructor Announcements section.
Use effective headings to explicitly identify the major components as outlined in the grading rubric.
Use third person pronouns. If you are not sure what this means, research it. Hint! No I, we and you.
References: You should have at least two references.
Citation: There should be at least two citations due to the fact that you have two references!

4. Grading Rubric

The following is point allocation breakdown for the assignment. Follow this order when completing your assignment.

	Content	Points
	Information systems planning
	Overview	0.2
	IT/IS Operational plans (at least 2)
	IT/IS Strategic plans (at least 2)
	In-house software development methods
	Overview	0.2
	Development methodology #1	1.2
	Development methodology #2	1.2
	External software acquisition options
	Overview	0.2
	Option #1: Advantage & disadvantage
	Option #2: Advantage & disadvantage
	Option #3: Advantage & disadvantage

Organization / Development (10%)
	Paper is strictly 2 to 4 pages (excluding Title, Reference & Appendix page)
	The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points.
	Paragraphs/content follow the provided order. Each paragraph is focused, coherent, and relevant and has at least 3 sentences.
	The conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper, and reviews the major points.

Mechanics (10%)
	The paper follows APA guidelines for format.
	At least two references provided. APA guidelines followed.
	Citations follow APA guidelines. References cited.
	The paper is laid out with effective use of headings, font styles, and white space.
	Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed.
	Sentences are complete, clear, concise, and varied.
	Spelling is correct.

5. Recommendations/Tips

Address the required components in the order provided the grading rubric.

Use appropriate headings to explicitly identify the different components outlined in the grading rubric. Use keywords of each component for your headings.

All the discussion below is to help Mary to understand the different planning options available to her. All scenarios, advantages, disadvantages, reasoning's, examples, etc must relate to Mary’s business.

Only discussion related to Mary’s business will be considered for credit. Avoid duplicating / reciting text book definitions.

Information systems planning

Provide an overview on information system planning. Discuss possible operational plans and strategic plans related to Mary’s business and show the major differences* between the two different plans. Must include specific Information System / Information Technology activities/tasks for each plan.

There is no need to explicitly discuss the differences. The differences should be obvious from the plans themselves.
DO NOT discuss generic business plans.

In house development planning methods

There are many methodologies available for in-house system development. Pick two methodologies that are commonly/widely used or gaining popularity that Mary’s business can use.

Select only those applicable to Mary’s business (subject to budget, time constraint, employee constraint, project size, etc). Randomly selecting two methodologies is not advisable.

Assume that Mary’s business could hire up to five employees if she decides to develop software in house. instead

Provide some information/detail about the methodologies and how they work so Mary has enough knowledge to decide.

Option to acquire

Select three different software acquisitions options. Discuss at least one advantage and one disadvantage of using this option.

The assumption is Mary’s business will not have any developers to work on any software. So only discuss various ways to acquire software that will not involve any in house software development or maintenance.

Week 5 Assignment Requirement and Tips Page 4 of 4