Introduction to information systems T. Cornford, M. Shaikh is1 060 2013

Chapter 2: Preparing for the project work
2.1 Introduction
In this chapter, we introduce the coursework assignments required for this 
subject. We do this early on in the guide so that you start to think about 
the assignments at the beginning of your studies. You will probably need 
to do some associated work before you start the final preparation of the 
assignments and you should not rush into the work. In particular, you need 
to spend some time thinking about the possible areas that your work will 
relate to and the real world context or problem that your database and 
spreadsheet will address. You will also need to develop some general skills 
in using your software and spend a bit of time exploring its capabilities. 
Modern spreadsheets and database systems can do many things – in the 
jargon of the field we would say that they have many functionalities and 
you cannot, and should not, try to use all the features they offer in your 
coursework. However, you do need to have a good general appreciation 
of what is possible before you focus on your particular project. Note 
that the word ‘functionality’ is often used to describe what we expect 
a system or item of software to be able to do. Later in this guide when 
considering systems development we will talk about the related concept 
of a ‘requirement’ as a statement of desired or needed functionality. A 
major task of systems analysis work – work to develop a new information 
system – is discovering the requirements of people in the real world, and 
specifying them as functionalities that the technology should provide. Thus 
we speak of a ‘functional requirement’.
The syllabus requires you to submit two items of work for marking. 
Together, the two items of work count for 25 per cent of the marks: 
• preparation of a database project report (12.5 per cent) 
• preparation of a spreadsheet project report (12.5 per cent). 
These assignments are intended to provide students with the opportunity 
to select and undertake small ‘development’ projects using common 
computer tools; spreadsheets and databases, but also a word processor 
and perhaps a graphics editor for diagrams. The submitted reports 
are intended to document your work and to show how you analysed a