your own projects based on
your own chosen
application area.
2.1.1 Aims of the chapter The aims of this chapter are to:
• introduce the two elements of coursework required to be submitted for
assessment
• emphasise the need for you to choose suitable topics for this work from
areas that are of interest to you
• indicate the methods and approaches we expect you to use in doing
this work
• give guidance as to the content and structure of the reports you will
prepare and the style of presentation we expect.
2.1.2 Learning outcomes By the end of this chapter, and having completed the Essential readings
and activities, you should be able to:
• develop and document small computer applications using basic
packages (for example, word processor, database and spreadsheet)
• recognise the need to work methodically and to meet deadlines
• appreciate the distinction between analysis work and design work
• apply simple analytical and design techniques to systems development
• transform a paper design into a running application
• prepare a brief report on development work conveying a problem
description, a design, and decisions taken with associated reasons
• reflect this experience back on to the other parts of this syllabus.
2.1.3 Background reading To help you to appreciate the possibilities, it may be useful to look at the
‘Hands on MIS Projects’ sections of the various chapters of Laudon and
Laudon (2013). For example, at the end of Chapter 2, an example is given
of a spreadsheet of purchasing data to be used to help inform supply chain
management.
It is very important for you to understand that the
written report is what the Examiners mark. They do not receive any database or
spreadsheet files to run on a computer.
