HELP: Analysis Task

[jsimmo]

Does anyone have an example of an analysis for Outcome One? I know what to include in it but I would like to see how people have written it.

Thanks.

[principe]

For analysis you have to identify the problem. But you cannot simply re-write the question. By identifying the problem I mean you have to specifically mention the problems that the business is having, regarding their information system needs. You can also mention what the business does and how it processes its data into information. You can also mention constraints.

Here are some guidelines that I used to write my analysis, sorry I don't have the one I've actually written, because it's stored in the school hard drive and I don't have it anymore. I finished ITA last year and always got a 5/5 for my analysis, my study score was 49, so you can trust me 
a)   Define the problem – rewrite the problem in your own words by providing a succinct and logical problem statement.
b)   Define the organisation – describe the type, purpose and goals of Home Health.
c)   Suggest at least three decisions that need to be made by Mr. Fitz and his employees and then define them as operational, tactical or strategic. 
d)   Analyse the problem by describing input and output requirements using an IPO chart and determine any constraints. In the Input column of the IPO chart list all input data and graphics that will be used. In the Processing column ensure that you include all manipulation of data that will take place The constraints should identify any restrictions on the solution – these might include the software or hardware to be used, how often the information needs to be produced, other.

For our sacs this was given and was all under the Analysis section. Good luck with your SAC.

[jsimmo]

Thanks heaps for replying, that's really good advice.

[ell]

c)   Suggest at least three decisions that need to be made by Mr. Fitz and his employees and then define them as operational, tactical or strategic. 

Mr. Fitz of that fitness organisation? Seems like we got the same SAC, lol.

[jsimmo]

Mr. Fitz of that fitness organisation?  Seems like we got the same SAC, lol.

Have you finished it? How do you think you went?

[ell]

Mr. Fitz of that fitness organisation?  Seems like we got the same SAC, lol.

Have you finished it? How do you think you went?

Actually that Mr. Fitz one was used last year at our school for Apps, we got a different one this year. But yeah I've finished it. I think it went pretty well, although I haven't got the results back yet. I'm pretty sure I covered all the criteria set out - it was similar (if not identical) to what principe posted.

[jsimmo]

I just got the SAC today and I'm screwed... This is my analysis (what needs improving?).

The criteria is the same as what principe posted:

a)   Define the problem – rewrite the problem in your own words by providing a succinct and logical problem statement.
b)   Define the organisation – describe the type, purpose and goals of Merrie Sailing Club.
c)   Suggest at least three decisions that need to be made by Merrie Sailing Club and employees and then define them as operational, tactical or strategic. 
d)   Analyse the problem by describing input and output requirements using an IPO chart and determine any constraints. In the Input column of the IPO chart list all input data and graphics that will be used. In the Processing column ensure that you include all manipulation of data that will take place The constraints should identify any restrictions on the solution – these might include the software or hardware to be used, how often the information needs to be produced, other.

The Merrie Sailing Clubs organisational procedures and skills are very poor. They are not meeting their own organisational goals, indicating that they have an ICT problem that needs repairing. They appear to have very little knowledge on how to organise data and keep track of it. The goals of the club are to efficiently provide cheap accommodation on the beaches in the bay for members and to provide a structure to allow members to socialise and network. They also want to enable the member’s rate to remain low and have the Bed And Breakfasts available for the general public at higher rates. Certain skills are being interrupted in the process of gaining those new members and maintaining the bookings and therefore a solution to the problem needs to take place.
The owners and employees of Merrie Sailing Club need to make certain decisions in relation to their organisational performance. The owners must make a strategic decision as to how they want their organisation to run. This strategic decision will be for long-term goals. Strategic decisions that the senior management may pursue are whether or not it is appropriate to analyse the market trend and to see the interest from the general-public about accommodation and sailing, if there is a high interest then it would definitely be appropriate to target the interested market, they may also want to think about new properties that they could buy to further expand their business opportunities. Middle management might make tactical decisions that will help solve the problems of the organisation. They might make a decision about how they want their data and bookings stored in the business and how effective staff manage and monitor these bookings. Operational managers would make the operational decisions of the organisation. They would make day-to-day decisions that help the efficient running of the business. For example, Operations workers at Merrie Sailing Club might make decisions about how to organise the customer’s complaints about the accommodation. They might make decisions on how quickly each room needs to be cleaned and what needs to be added to each room before a new guest arrives.

Also, with the IPO chart do you put the organisations problems that they are having or the solutions and steps that I am going to do to fix these problems and does the same go for the flowchart? (The flowchart and IPO chart is the most annoying thing, my stupid teacher never even taught us them... 70% of the stuff on it we didn't even learn)

I guess there goes my SS of 36    :uglystupid2:

[ell]

The Merrie Sailing Clubs organisational procedures and skills are very poor. They are not meeting their own organisational goals, indicating that they have an ICT problem that needs repairing. They appear to have very little knowledge on how to organise data and keep track of it. The goals of the club are to efficiently provide cheap accommodation on the beaches in the bay for members and to provide a structure to allow members to socialise and network. They also want to enable the member’s rate to remain low and have the Bed And Breakfasts available for the general public at higher rates. Certain skills are being interrupted in the process of gaining those new members and maintaining the bookings and therefore a solution to the problem needs to take place.
The owners and employees of Merrie Sailing Club need to make certain decisions in relation to their organisational performance. The owners must make a strategic decision as to how they want their organisation to run. This strategic decision will be for long-term goals. Strategic decisions that the senior management may pursue are whether or not it is appropriate to analyse the market trend and to see the interest from the general-public about accommodation and sailing, if there is a high interest then it would definitely be appropriate to target the interested market, they may also want to think about new properties that they could buy to further expand their business opportunities. Middle management might make tactical decisions that will help solve the problems of the organisation. They might make a decision about how they want their data and bookings stored in the business and how effective staff manage and monitor these bookings. Operational managers would make the operational decisions of the organisation. They would make day-to-day decisions that help the efficient running of the business. For example, Operations workers at Merrie Sailing Club might make decisions about how to organise the customer’s complaints about the accommodation. They might make decisions on how quickly each room needs to be cleaned and what needs to be added to each room before a new guest arrives.

Also, with the IPO chart do you put the organisations problems that they are having or the solutions and steps that I am going to do to fix these problems and does the same go for the flowchart? (The flowchart and IPO chart is the most annoying thing, my stupid teacher never even taught us them... 70% of the stuff on it we didn't even learn)

I guess there goes my SS of 36    :uglystupid2:

For the IPO chart you would put all the input, processes and output concerned with developing the solution (i.e. "fixing the problem"). An example could be "Customer account details" under Input, "Calculate amount owing" under Process, and "Report of overdue payments" under Output (something similar to that although relate it to your case study). Check this link for more information on design tools.

Concerning the piece - it's a good start. I would say provide a short statement (about a sentence) that clearly but broadly identifies the problem and states what solution is required (e.g. a database solution, a website etc.)
Apart from that, it's good to see that you're linking the decisions to directly to the case study well ("interest from the general-public about accommodation and sailing", "decisions on how quickly each room needs to be cleaned and what needs to be added to each room" etc.) which is really what counts in the end.

Also note that, unlike principe, I don't have a 49 to back my advice (not yet, anyway ), but I'll be happy to help wherever I can

[principe]

Lol, I didn't even realize that the Mr.Fitz was still there. Yeah we did that fitness one, so I guess we got the same SAC.

Actually ell16, you're answers are right ^^. I hope you get 49, or better yet 50! Seems like you will though =]. I wasn't the only one in my class that got 49 lol. There was another girl.

Anyways I'll try my best to respond:
The Merrie Sailing Clubs organisational procedures and skills are very poor. They are not meeting their own organisational goals, indicating that they have an ICT problem that needs repairing. They appear to have very little knowledge on how to organise data and keep track of it.
a.)Elaborate, what are the problems specifically? what does the organization require you to do? It's hard to give an example of what to say without reading the case study

b.) When describing the type of organization, you can mention whether the organization is a for-profit or non-profit organization. But this is optional because most Case Studies provided are for-profit. This part was answered sufficiently

The owners and employees of Merrie Sailing Club need to make certain decisions in relation to their organisational performance. The owners must make a strategic decision as to how they want their organisation to run. This strategic decision will be for long-term goals. Strategic decisions that the senior management may pursue are whether or not it is appropriate to analyse the market trend and to see the interest from the general-public about accommodation and sailing, if there is a high interest then it would definitely be appropriate to target the interested market, they may also want to think about new properties that they could buy to further expand their business opportunities. Middle management might make tactical decisions that will help solve the problems of the organisation. They might make a decision about how they want their data and bookings stored in the business and how effective staff manage and monitor these bookings. Operational managers would make the operational decisions of the organisation. They would make day-to-day decisions that help the efficient running of the business. For example, Operations workers at Merrie Sailing Club might make decisions about how to organise the customer’s complaints about the accommodation. They might make decisions on how quickly each room needs to be cleaned and what needs to be added to each room before a new guest arrives.

c.)This is very good. You mentioned the decisions that they need to make and related them to the case study, from what I can see. Again I don't know how accurate your answer is because I haven't read your case study.

I can't do the IPO chart because I don't have the information provided by the case study.