150:145
Management Information Systems
Course Syllabus

Power, D. J. Decision Support Systems: Concepts and Resources for Managers, Quorum Books, 2002.

Parsons, J., D. Oja, R. Ageloff and P. Carey, New Perspectives on Microsoft Excel 2000 - Comprehensive Enhanced, Course Technology, 2001.

You can use the group class user name and password to access the DSSResources.COM subscriber zone. The subscriber zone has many course support materials that you will find necessary and useful.

Catalog Description:

This course is about the "Role of information systems in supporting organizational goals; design and development of business applications; and the impact of information systems on the organization." The course may not be taken for credit by MIS majors. Prerequisites are 150:080, Introduction to Information Systems, or equivalent and junior standing.

Course Overview:

This is an advanced course in information systems and information technology (IS/IT) for business and management students. The course is targeted to students who want more expertise in developing, managing and using information systems and especially Decision Support Systems, but who do not want to master and use the specialized systems development and technical skills associated with an MIS major curriculum. If you want to be a sophisticated IS/IT user and possibly an innovator AND a business manager or staff support specialist, then this course should be a "good fit" for you.

Today, business transaction information systems are a primary channel for communicating, storing and retrieving product orders, accounting records, and other business data. In your information systems foundation course, you learned that information systems support most tasks and functions of an organization. Also, you learned most managers are involved with using and managing information. You should have developed some knowledge of how computers, software, networks and information systems support business decision making and operations. You probably realize that some of what you learned is already dated or obsolete. We are studying complex, rapidly changing systems and technologies. For all of the above reasons, managers need to continually learn more about IS/IT and especially computer-based Decision Support Systems.

Managers and IS professionals must share responsibility for the effectiveness of information systems and for dealing with the problems and opportunities presented by rapidly changing information technologies. Managers must consider both information systems and information technology issues when they design jobs, supervise subordinates, work with customers and suppliers, formulate strategy, develop goals and plans and implement management controls.

Your knowledge of information systems and information technology must include understanding how IS/IT can help you be a better manager and how it can help improve the management and operations of the company where you work. Managers need to know many things about IS/IT and DSS. In general, managers need three types of IS/IT knowledge: 1) appropriate intellectual capabilities, 2) understanding of fundamental concepts, and 3) contemporary computing skills.

In addition to using various DSS, some of you may become Decision Support analysts. A Decision Support analyst is a staff specialist who uses DSS and prepares special studies for decision makers. Analysts may use a Data-Driven DSS to conduct an ad hoc query that is then analyzed with a statistical package, Excel or a desktop OLAP tool. They may build small Model-Driven DSS and write-up the results of the analysis prepared with the DSS. A Decision Support analyst may conduct various types of analyses including cost-benefit analyses, financial analyses, and feasibility studies. A Decision Support analyst documents analytical findings and conducts internal and external research.

The primary focus of this course is developing intellectual capabilities related to the use and development of specific decision support systems and web-based information systems. We will also explore the role of information systems in supporting organization goals and the impact of information systems on organizations. In general, Decision Support Systems are used by people who are skilled in their jobs and who need to be supported rather than replaced by a computer system. The broadest definition states that Decision Support Systems are a specific class of computerized information system that support decision-making activities. DSS are interactive computer-based systems and subsystems intended to help decision makers use communications technologies, data, documents, knowledge and/or models to identify and solve problems and make decisions. Data-Driven DSS emphasize using data and include Executive Information Systems (EIS); Model-Driven DSS emphasize using models to support decision making.

The perspective for the course is both managerial and technical. My overriding concern is helping you become a person who can use and manage information systems and technologies to improve you own productivity, the productivity of subordinates and co-workers and the productivity of the organization as a whole. The skills instruction will focus on end user development of small scale DSS built using MS Excel.

Discussions will emphasize both skills and knowledge that managers need to effectively use IS/IT resources. A secondary course focus is understanding how the challenges created by information systems and information technologies differ from those associated with managing financial or human resources. My approach will be oriented toward an analysis of what is possible. We will examine both theories and descriptive case examples. Hands-on sessions will emphasize advanced skills related to MS Excel that can be applied to Decision Support and Management problems.

Another purpose of this course is to help you learn to use the World-Wide Web and a password protected Intranet for a variety of tasks, including reading articles, submitting information and conducting research. More importantly, we will learn about the Internet and the Web in the hope that you will find novel business decision support uses for this relatively new information technology.

Course Objectives

As a result of our work together in this course, you should:

1. understand fundamental concepts associated with DSS, MIS and IS/IT.
2. develop a a more sophisticated understanding of how IS/IT can help a firm meet its objectives, including gaining a competitive advantage, increasing revenues and profits, decreasing expenses, providing better customer service, and improving decision making.
3. become a better informed consumer of Decision Support Systems and information technology resources. We will especially emphasize end-user development of DSS applications.
4. develop contemporary skills that can help you use and manage information technology resources.
5. learn about the Internet, the World-Wide Web and its potential business uses and impacts.
6. become more aware of the impact of information and decision support systems on organizations.

Approximately one-half of our class sessions are oriented to lectures and company examples and discussion of reading material. The other half of the class sessions are hands-on computer labs.

Your final grade is a function of the following:
 

Students receiving at least 92% of the points will receive an A; at least 82%, a B; at least 72%, a C. Plus and minus grades will be awarded. The curve may be adjusted downward at the discretion of the instructor.

Exams

I am planning to give 3 Unit exams in the class over the DSS text, lectures, reading assignments and MS Excel concepts. The Unit exams will be a mix of questions, possibilities include short answer, short essay, mini-case analysis, and multiple choice questions. The actual format of the exam will be discussed in class prior to each exam.

Assignments/Exercises

You will be expected to complete a number of in-class and out-of-class assignments and exercises (100 points). If you have problems that prevent you from following the class schedule, please let me know in advance and we will discuss how we might accomodate your situation. In class labs are open book and open notes. If the lab is submitted at the end of the lab session, then the student can receive 100% of the points. Lab exercises submitted within 24 hours of the end of a lab session can receive a maximum of 80% of the total points for the lab.

Spreadsheet-based DSS Project

The Spreadsheet-based DSS Project (100 points) is an opportunity for students to work together on a team with 2-3 other students to apply their DSS design and development skills using Excel on a small-scale DSS. During the semester students will work on a voluntary team to develop a model-driven, spreadsheet-based DSS to assist in project cost estimating and bidding. Teams can pick one of two industry minicase situations and then research, plan and develop a specific DSS for that situation. Both situations involve developing a DSS for forecasting the cost of a project and preparing a competitive bid to submit to the person requesting the project proposal. The specific DSS will support a person working as a cost estimator or bid specialist or similar job title. In general, cost estimators "develop the cost information that business owners or managers need to make a bid for a contract or to determine if a proposed new product will be profitable." The first mini-case involves construction cost estimating. The second mini-case involves software project cost estimating. In both industry situations "estimators compile and analyze data on all the factors that can influence costs—such as materials, labor, location, and special requirements, including computer hardware and software." The specific model-driven DSS that is developed should help an estimator input data, apply a detailed quantitative estimating model, conduct sensitivity and "what if" analyses, and prepare a formal bid proposal.

Attendance and Class Participation:

You are expected to participate in all class sessions. Active, consistent participation in class is an essential part of the learning experience. You need to read the materials and prepare for the discussions. I may assign graded review questions for students to complete and submit.

Meaningful participation in discussions is valued and needed. Meaningful participation means making a contribution to our discussion, not merely talking or submitting messages, and it does not mean simply agreeing with what others have said.

I reserve the right to lower your grade for limited participation in course activities.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / DISABILITY POLICY

"The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protectionfrom illegal discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students requesting instructional accommodations due to disabilities must arrange for such accommodation through the Office of Disability Services. The ODS is located at: 213 Student Services Center, and the phone number is: 273-2676."

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION POLICY ON REPEATING COURSES

The following policy has been adopted by the College of Business Administration:

Students enrolled in a College of Business Administration course at the beginning of the second week of the Spring 2003 semester will not be allowed to register again for the same course until the end of advance registration for Fall 2003.  Students who wish to re-register for a course may place their name on a waiting list.  Registration accommodation will depend on course openings after the completion of Fall 2003 advance registration.

UPDATES

Course materials, syllabus and assignments may be updated, revised or altered during the course. Changes will be announced in class or by email with at least 2 weeks notice.Also, check the course web page.