Development
Information technology departments in larger organizations tend to strongly influence the
development, use, and application of information technology in the business. A series of
methodologies and processes can be used to develop and use an information system. Many
developers use a systems engineering approach such as the system development life cycle
(SDLC), to systematically develop an information system in stages. The stages of the system
development lifecycle are planning, system analysis, and requirements, system design,
development, integration and testing, implementation and operations, and maintenance. Recent
research aims at enabling[30] and measuring[31] the ongoing, collective development of such
systems within an organization by the entirety of human actors themselves. An information
system can be developed in house (within the organization) or outsourced. This can be
accomplished by outsourcing certain components or the entire system.[32] A specific case is the
geographical distribution of the development team (offshoring, global information system).
A computer-based information system, following a definition of Langefors,[33] is a
technologically implemented medium for recording, storing, and disseminating linguistic
expressions, as well as for drawing conclusions from such expressions.
Geographic information systems, land information systems, and disaster information systems are
examples of emerging information systems, but they can be broadly considered as spatial
information systems. System development is done in stages which include:[34]
Problem recognition and specification
Information gathering
Requirements specification for the new system
System design
System construction
System implementation
Review and maintenance
As an academic discipline
See also: Information engineering, Information science, Information technology, and Information
management
The field of study called information systems encompasses a variety of topics including systems
analysis and design, computer networking, information security, database management, and
decision support systems. Information management deals with the practical and theoretical
problems of collecting and analyzing information in a business function area including business
productivity tools, applications programming and implementation, electronic commerce, digital
media production, data mining, and decision support. Communications and networking deals
with telecommunication technologies. Information systems bridges business and computer
science using the theoretical foundations of information and computation to study various
business models and related algorithmic processes [35] on building the IT systems [36][37] within a
computer science discipline.[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] Computer information systems (CIS)
is a field studying computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their software
and hardware designs, their applications, and their impact on society,[51][52][53] whereas IS
emphasizes functionality over design.[54]
Several IS scholars have debated the nature and foundations of information systems which have
its roots in other reference disciplines such as computer science, engineering, mathematics,
management science, cybernetics, and others.[55][56][57][58] Information systems also can be defined
as a collection of hardware, software, data, people, and procedures that work together to produce
quality information.
Related terms
Information systems relationship to information technology,
computer science, information science, and business.
Similar to computer science, other disciplines can be seen as both related and foundation
disciplines of IS. The domain of study of IS involves the study of theories and practices related
to the social and technological phenomena, which determine the development, use, and effects of
information systems in organizations and society.[59] But, while there may be considerable
overlap of the disciplines at the boundaries, the disciplines are still differentiated by the focus,
purpose, and orientation of their activities.[60]
In a broad scope, information systems is a scientific field of study that addresses the range of
strategic, managerial, and operational activities involved in the gathering, processing, storing,
distributing, and use of information and its associated technologies in society and organizations.
[60]
The term information systems is also used to describe an organizational function that applies
IS knowledge in the industry, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations.[60]
Information systems often refers to the interaction between algorithmic processes and
technology. This interaction can occur within or across organizational boundaries. An
information system is a technology an organization uses and also the way in which the
organizations interact with the technology and the way in which the technology works with the
organization's business processes. Information systems are distinct from information technology
(IT) in that an information system has an information technology component that interacts with
the processes' components.
One problem with that approach is that it prevents the IS field from being interested in non-
organizational use of ICT, such as in social networking, computer gaming, mobile personal
usage, etc. A different way of differentiating the IS field from its neighbours is to ask, "Which
aspects of reality are most meaningful in the IS field and other fields?"[61] This approach, based
on philosophy, helps to define not just the focus, purpose, and orientation, but also the dignity,
destiny and, responsibility of the field among other fields.[62]
Business informatics is a related discipline that is well-established in several countries,
especially in Europe. While Information systems has been said to have an "explanation-oriented"
focus, business informatics has a more "solution-oriented" focus and includes information
technology elements and construction and implementation-oriented elements.
Career pathways
Information systems workers enter a number of different careers:
Information system strategy
Management information systems – A management information system (MIS) is an
information system used for decision-making, and for the coordination, control, analysis,
and visualization of information in an organization.
Project management – Project management is the practice of initiating, planning,
executing, controlling, and closing the work of a team to achieve specific goals and meet
specific success criteria at the specified time.
Enterprise architecture – A well-defined practice for conducting enterprise analysis,
design, planning, and implementation, using a comprehensive approach at all times, for
the successful development and execution of strategy.
IS development
IS organization
IS consulting
IS security
IS auditing
There is a wide variety of career paths in the information systems discipline. "Workers with
specialized technical knowledge and strong communications skills will have the best prospects.
Workers with management skills and an understanding of business practices and principles will
have excellent opportunities, as companies are increasingly looking to technology to drive their
revenue."[63]
Information technology is important to the operation of contemporary businesses, it offers many
employment opportunities. The information systems field includes the people in organizations
who design and build information systems, the people who use those systems, and the people
responsible for managing those systems. The demand for traditional IT staff such as
programmers, business analysts, systems analysts, and designer is significant. Many well-paid
jobs exist in areas of Information technology. At the top of the list is the chief information officer
(CIO).
The CIO is the executive who is in charge of the IS function. In most organizations, the CIO
works with the chief executive officer (CEO), the chief financial officer (CFO), and other senior
executives. Therefore, he or she actively participates in the organization's strategic planning
process.