This course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully undertake information systems analysis. Lectures and tutorials provide coverage of the concepts, skills, methodologies, techniques, tools and perspectives considered essential for systems analysts working with modern information systems and their development.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. explain basic systems theory and the context within which information systems analysis is carried out
2. elicit information system requirements
3. construct process, logic, and data models using traditional modelling techniques
4. demonstrate an understanding of object-oriented modelling using UML
5. apply “Soft systems” aspects and techniques in systems analysis
6. apply principled investigation and ethical judgement in systems analysis, consistent with the ACS Code of Ethics.

Research-Led Teaching

This course integrates research publications with industry reports to provide a comprehensive understanding of information systems analysis. The carefully curated readings balance theoretical frameworks from leading academic journals with practical case studies and industry best practices. This research-led approach ensures students develop both theoretical depth and practical competence, preparing them for the complexities of real-world systems analysis.

Field Trips

Not relevant

Additional Course Costs

No additional cost

Examination Material or equipment

There will be an open-book centrally timetabled invigilated exam.

More information on examination will be made available on Wattle at least 2 weeks before the examination period.

Required Resources

All required resources and readings will be advised on Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Systems Analysis and Design, Global Edition

Author: Kendall, K. & Kendall, J.

Publisher: Pearson

Edition: 10th

ISBN: 9781292281476

Availability: Campus Bookstore & Online

• $65 for the eBook/eText version from publisher
• $120-130 from Zookal

https://www.pearson.com.au/9781292281476

The course convener has requested that a copy of this eText be reserved in the library for 2 hour short term loan.

Please also note that previous editions 9th and 8th are also accepted.

 It is essential that you have ready access to a copy of this text or an appropriate alternative

• This is the second year the 10th edition is being used, so buying second-hand 9th edition is a good alternative.
• 8th edition is also acceptable

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals,

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Administration & Introduction to Systems Analysis- Read Chapter 1 of text
2	Elements of Systems Theory & Concepts of Information - Read lecture notes and watch lecture video provided
3	Project Selection, Feasibility and Management - Read Chapter 3 of text and lecture notes, and watch lecture video
4	“Soft” Techniques - Read lecture notes provided, and watch lecture video	Assignment 1: Due date: 2025/March/14 @ 23:59 Canberra Time
5	Requirements Determination - Read Chapter 4 & Chapter 5 of text and lecture notes, and, and watch lecture video
6	Process Modelling -Read Chapter 7 of text, and lecture notes, and, and watch lecture video	Assignment 2: Due date: 2025/March/31 @ 23:59 Canberra Time
7	Process and Logic Modelling - Read Chapter 9 of text, and lecture notes, and, and watch lecture video
8	Data (Entity-Relationship) Modelling - Part 1 - Read Chapter 8 of text, and lecture notes, and, and watch lecture video	Assignment 3: Due date: 2025/April/17 @ 23:59 Canberra Time
9	Data (Entity-Relationship) Modelling - Part 2 - Read Chapter 8 of text & and lecture notes, and, and watch lecture video	Assignment 4: Due date: 2025/May/05 @ 23:59 Canberra Time
10	Object-oriented analysis & UML - Part 1 - Re-read Chapter 2 & begin reading Chapter 10 of text and lecture notes, and, and watch lecture video
11	Object-oriented analysis & UML - Part 2 - Continue reading Chapter 10 of text, and lecture notes, and, and watch lecture video	Assignment 5: Due date: 2025/May/19 @ 23:59 Canberra Time
12	Moving from Analysis to Design & System Development Methodologies - Read Chapter 2 & Chapter 6 of text, and lecture notes, and, and watch lecture video, Prepare for exam during examination period.

Tutorial Registration

There are no tutorials for this course. Instead, a weekly seminar of 3 hours will be delivered.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Before Exam Assignments	40 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Course Reflection Assignments	10 %	01/04/2025	22/04/2025	1,2,3,4,5
Final Examination	50 %	*	26/06/2025	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

The teaching mode for semester 1, 2025 will be face-to-face, on campus. All course materials related to the seminars will be made available on Wattle course sites. Participation is expected in all classes and assessments.

Attendance at seminars, while not compulsory, is expected in line with "Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning," Clause 2 paragraph (b). Where students will not be able to attend a seminar, they should advise the Convenor and discuss how to otherwise address the learning materials.

Examination(s)

There will be an open-book centrally timetabled invigilated exam.

Deferred Examinations & Extenuating Circumstances Applications (ECA)

If you have missed your examination due to illness, incapacity or misadventure then you should submit an ECA. An application form must be completed and lodged within five business days of the original date of the assessment. Evidence addressing the cause of any delay must be provided with the application. 

For further information about this and how to apply, please visit: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/extenuating-circumstances-application

What can I do if my ECA is lodged later than five business days after the due date of the examination?

Applications will not be accepted after five business days unless serious illness, incapacity or misadventure prevents you from submitting the form within this period. Evidence addressing the cause of any delay must be provided with the application. 

How will I be notified about the outcome of my ECA?

Applications are considered by the University Registrar, Associate Dean (Education) and/or their delegates. Adjustments may or may not be applied. Please note that an ECA application does not mean that a change will be made to your assessment item. All outcomes will be notified to your student email account.

Assessment Task 1

Before Exam Assignments

Due date

There are five Before Exam Assignments, comprising 40% of your final course mark. Details and due dates of each of these assignments are given below:

The course includes five open-book assignments scheduled before the final exam, designed to reinforce your understanding of information systems analysis concepts. Each assignment will require you to create and analyse various diagrams and models that are essential tools in systems analysis, such as entity-relationship diagrams, data flow diagrams, and UML models. These practical exercises build directly upon concepts covered in our seminars, allowing you to demonstrate your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete system analysis scenarios.

Please note that you are required to attempt to answer the assignment questions individually and submit your answers to Wattle (Turnitin) by the due dates mentioned below:

• Assignment 1. (Based on the course material covered in seminars week 1, 2, 3 and 4).
• Release date: 2025/March/11
• Due date: 2025/March/14 @ 23:59 Canberra Time
• Assignment 2. (Based on the course material covered in seminars week 5 and 6).
• Release date: 2025/March/25
• Due date: 2025/March/31 @ 23:59 Canberra Time
• Assignment 3. (Based on the course material covered in seminar week 7).
• Release date: 2025/April/14
• Due date: 2025/April/17 @ 23:59 Canberra Time
• Assignment 4. (Based on the course material covered in seminars week 8 and 9).
• Release date: 2025/April/29
• Due date: 2025/May/05 @ 23:59 Canberra Time
• Assignment 5. (Based on the course material covered in seminars week 10 and 11).
• Release date: 2025/May/13
• Due date: 2025/May/19 @ 23:59 Canberra Time

Form of submission

The Before Exam Assignment tasks are to be submitted to Turnitin using the course Wattle site. The submitted assessment does not require a cover sheet. Please keep a copy of the submitted work for your records. Note that your assignment answers must be provided in word-processed or other appropriate electronically produced form. Unless specifically noted in the weekly seminar instructions, handwritten work will not be accepted or, if submitted, will not be marked.

Your assignment answers will be rated on a 0 to 5-point scale:

• 0 = No work is submitted, or all of the answers are of an unacceptably poor standard.
• 1 = (Answer with major problems: 20% of the assigned marks for that question). The response is present but lacks essential elements or contains significant errors; the explanation is incomplete or does not relate to the given question
• 2 = (Answer that needs work: 40% of the assigned marks for that question). The response includes some required elements but misses important details; the explanation shows limited understanding and is only partially relevant to the context of the question.
• 3 = (Good answer: 60% of the assigned marks for that question). The response adequately addresses the required elements with generally correct explanations; it demonstrates a reasonable understanding and relates to the question.
• 4 = Great answer = 80% of the assigned marks for that question: The response thoroughly covers all required elements with clear, accurate explanations; it demonstrates a strong understanding and is well-contextualized to the question
• 5. Outstanding answer = 100% of the assigned marks for that question: The response not only covers all required elements thoroughly but also provides exceptional insight or original analysis; it demonstrates a profound understanding with exceptionally clear and insightful explanations that are perfectly contextualized to the question, exceeding standard expectations.

While individual questions will not receive detailed written comments, you will receive general feedback on the first assignment before the midsemester break. This approach encourages you to actively engage in weekly seminars and consultations, where you can obtain detailed, personalized feedback through discussion with teaching staff. Once each assignment has been marked, results will be released via the gradebook feature on Wattle within 10 working days.

You will have an opportunity to submit 5 assignments to obtain 40%, with each individual piece of assignment being worth 8%.

Students have to submit a declaration of original work with each assessment. The declaration will be made available via Wattle in the first week of the course. If the declaration is not submitted with the assessment, the student will get zero marks.

Extension requests. No extensions will be given, or late submission will be accepted unless there is an emergency supported by relevant documentation, and the lecturer has been informed in due time. Late submissions will incur a 5% penalty per business day. Submissions more than 10 business days late will get zero marks.

Assessment Task 2

Course Reflection Assignments

There will be two reflection assignments totalling 10% of the mark, each comprising 5% of your total mark.

Due Date

The due date for course reflection assignment 1 is: Tuesday, 2025/April/01 at 23:59 Canberra Time

The due date for course reflection assignment 2 is: Friday, 2025/May/23 at 23:59 Canberra Time

Form of Submission

For course reflection assignment 1, you should submit a one-page reflection essay on topics discussed in the first six weekly seminars

For course reflection assignment 2, you should submit a one-page reflection essay on topics discussed after the mid-semester break

Submission Method

Soft copy (pdf) via Wattle TurnItIn

Marking criteria and Rubrics will be made available by Week 2 on Wattle

Extension requests. No extensions will be given, or late submission will be accepted unless there is an emergency supported by relevant documentation, and the lecturer has been informed in due time. Late submissions will incur a 5% penalty per business day. Submissions more than 10 business days late will get zero marks.

Students have to submit a declaration of original work with each assessment. The declaration will be made available via Wattle in the first week of the course. If the declaration is not submitted with the assessment, the student will get zero marks.

Assessment Task 3

Final Examination

There will be an open-book centrally timetabled invigilated final exam for this course.

The three-hour final examination will assess your comprehensive understanding of information systems analysis through a case study-based format. You will be required to analyse the case study, create appropriate diagrams and models, and respond to questions that evaluate both your technical knowledge and critical thinking abilities. While this is an open-book examination, success requires more than simply locating information in course materials - you will need to demonstrate your ability to apply concepts, analyse scenarios, and make informed decisions based on your learning across all seminars. The questions are designed to test your analytical capabilities and practical skills in systems analysis, requiring you to synthesize and apply knowledge rather than reproduce course content.

Due Date

The exam will be held during the examination period. Further details will be provided in the first semester.

Form of Submission

Students will be given question papers and answer sheet at the start of the centrally invigilated exam.

They are to provide their answers in the answer sheet, and hand them over to the invigilators when finished.

Because it is an open-book exam, do not be misled into thinking that being “open book” means the examination will be a “walkover” since you can always refer to your text or notes if you get stuck. The basic reasons for this are:

• The type of questions you will be asked in the examination will not be such that you can simply “look up the answer” in the textbook or other notes or materials you may have brought in with you.
• The nature of the questions will be as such that they would require independent reasoning (e.g., case analyses, model creation).
• If you are not already familiar with the material, you will simply not have enough time to find, read and understand what you need and still be able to complete the required examination work.
• While the textbook is expected to be the open book, if other sources are used, citations should be as per http://www.anu.edu.au/students/learning-development/academic-integrity/referencing

More information on examination will be made available on Wattle at least 2 weeks before the examination period. Marking criteria and Rubrics will be made available by Week 2 on Wattle

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

No hardcopy submissions will be required in this course.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Please note that the above guidelines apply to Task 1: Before Exam Assignments, and Task 2: Course Reflection Assignments.

All requests for Assessment Adjustment (including Requests for Extension and for Consideration of Extenuating Circumstances) should be submitted via ISIS.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Please see relevant assessment task detail above

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Unless specified otherwise in the assignment requirements, resubmissions are permitted up until the due date and time, but not allowed afterwards.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students