Xacc/210 the Systems Development Life Cycle

Xacc/210 the Systems Development Life Cycle

  • Submitted By: revned79
  • Date Submitted: 11/18/2013 12:13 PM
  • Category: Business
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The Systems Development Life Cycle

XACC/210
August 3, 2013


According to chapter 13 of Core Concepts of Accounting Information Systems there are four main stages in the systems development life cycle:
* Planning and Investigation – In this first step, an investigation of the current information system is conducted. A study team is put together and they come up with strategic plans for the remainder of the study. This preliminary investigation stage is usually pretty brief. Usually only a matter of a few weeks. A preliminary investigation report is produced describing the problems and objectives that the study team has come up with. It also suggests solutions to these problems, and the recommended course of action to accomplish these things. At this point the steering committee consisting of top management and financial advisors, decide to either get rid of the study team and keep things as they are, or to continue with even further investigation, or to continue to the formal systems analysis stage.
* Analysis – During the analysis stage the company’s current system is analyzed to identify information needs, strengths, as well as weaknesses of the current system. This stage takes longer than the preliminary investigation. It usually takes months to complete. Eventually a “final systems analysis report” is written. This signals the end of the analysis process.
* Design – in the design stage the organization designs changes that will either eliminate or at least minimize the weaknesses of the current system while keeping the current system’s strengths. Eventually decisions are made as to a prototype of the new system, what type of system will be used, and whether or not to outsource the new system to be designed by a vendor.
* Implementation, Follow up, and Maintenance – This stage seems to be the most involved. In this stage resources are acquired for the new system. There is also the need for new and current employees on how to...

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