it systems1

Building Information Systems – A Primer

Informationmanagement

Extended coreapplication

Informationportals

R&D

Dave Verma Associate Beca Infrastructure Ltd

[email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/davidverma

Building Business Systems An Overview


Function

Function

Function

Function

FunctionFunction

Function Interimapplication

Function

Interimapplication Core

application


Stage 1 Understand the requirements

Functional requirements/ Non functional requirements

+Integration requirements

Stage 2 Support Business As Usual

Manage IT systems and processesto exchange central datafrom/to interim solutions

Stage 3 Create Business Intelligence

based on integration layer that “glues” supporting core applications



The challenge – to procure a cohesive system not a collection of applications….


Typical Information Systems & Technology Environments consist of interim solutionsConsistent scope of existing solutionsComplexity for some functions

Function

Core applicationInterim

solution

R&DFunction


R&D



Long term: Positive legacy – Value for money

Collection of information portalsintegrating multiple sources of information

for analysis and reportingto support specific business functions

Informationportals

R&D



Typical Business Intelligence Architectures

Business application

Business application

DocumentManagement

Data

Data

Metadata

Documents

Users

Users

Users

Datawarehouse

Cubes

Models

Users

Spatialviewer

Informationportals

Models

ITSdevices Data

Dashboards

Views

Reports

Links

Workstreams Information Management

External spatialdata

GIS application

GIS experts



Roadmaps are the core to understanding systems and how they should really fit – no map – no direction

CONCEPT

There must be a vision to provide a flexible framework responsive to business needs.

A conceptual living architecture provides an opportunity to build information systems progressively but in a consistent manner (value for money).



Understanding the Whole Investment

Preparationof the

framework

Project1

Deliver.1

Deliverable2

Project2

Deliverable3

Project3

Ben

efi

tsC

osts

Time

Support

Team

2Team

1IS

& T

COSTSBe clear on upfront costs to prepare the frameworkPrice ongoing supportProject by project cost basisEstablish the real whole of life costs remember everything eventually dies or grows

BENEFITSValue for moneyProject control

Roadmap based on business requirementsCost / benefit analysis at every stage

Funding Control via hold points



Stagged implementation

PRIORITISATION

The work can be prioritised based onBusiness needs (benefits)

Some teams still in the process of defining their processes / requirementsTake into account business cycles

Ease of implementation (costs)Scope of the requirementsTechnology of the existing systemsLevel of aggregation required



Preparation of the framework

PROCESSES

Define systems development environmentsPrepare methodology guidance documentationIdentify, develop and document processes for organisational interfaces

Bug / issue recording, tracking, resolution and reportingSystems development, deployment and managementUser support (i.e. Helpdesk)




TECHNOLOGIES

Prepare platform development environment (hardware / software)Document design principles (3 days) for ETL implementation (Extract, Transform , Load)Select the appropriate platform for deliveries

Confirm integration potential with existing systemsNever underestimate existing software and hardware capabilities and potential (this is often the worst mistake people make)Market tension is a good thing – use it to become more informed




DATA

Build an Inventory of data sources Coordinated plan for improving data capture and quality

Understand the current state of informationBy category / type of information

Understand how to improve the quality of information e.g.Data capture mechanisms both automated and manual Data structures – be very careful here !!!

Prioritise information and reporting needs to ensure that you prioritise your data



Next actions

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

Develop solutions on a case by case, cost by cost basis

Some requirements will be already covered by existing systems – be sure you have really looked at them hard enough

Additional requirements must be prioritised by the business not the IT department