Be able to identify the sequence of events that constitute the in- house development phase of the SDLC.

Be familiar with the tools used to improve the success of system constuction and the delivery activities, including prototyping, CASE tools, and the use of PERT and Gantt chart

Understand the distinction between the structured and object-oriented design approaches.

Understand the use of multi- level DFDs in the design of business processes. Be familiar with the different types of system documentation and the purposes they serve.

Recognize the role of accountants in the construct and delivery of systems. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of the commercial software option, and be able to discuss the decision making process used to select commercial software.

We examine the many activities associated with in- house development. These activities fall conceptually into two categories: 1.) Construct the system 2.) Deliver the system

Through these activities, system selected in the project initiation phase (discussed in chapter 13 ) are designed in detail and implemented. The completed system is tested, documented and rolled out to the user, then examines the increasingly important option of using commercial software packages.

The majority of companies today, particularly smaller firms and large firms with standardized information needs employ pre written software system rather than develop in house systems from scratch. Commercial software approach also consists of construct and delivery activities.

This stage in the SDLC carries significant financial and operational risks that are of particular importance to management. The SDLC does not change in such a case, but its component parts are provided by an outsourcing provider.

Central Repository
The heart of the case system is the central

repository. Essentially. This is a data base of attributes, relations, and elements that describe all the applications created under the case system. These items includes 1.) Definitions of all data base 2.) System documentation, such as context diagrams, data flow diagrams, and structure charts.

This chapter dealt with the construction and delivery of information systems. The first section presented topics and issues to in house development. This began with a review of techniques used to improving systems construction, including prototyping, CASE technology, PERT charts, and Gantt

Next two design sequence that dealt with system components in the following order: create a data physical user views (output and input views), develop the process modules, specify the system controls, and perform a system walkthrough.

The delivery stage involves populating database structure, purchasing and installing equipment, employee training, and system documentation. This phase concludes with the roll- out of the new system and the termination of the old system.

The section concluded with a discussion of the accountants role in house development. We next examined issues related to commercial software, an option that businesses are increasingly using. After briefly identifying the pros and cons of commercial software packages.

The chapter concluded with a brief discussion of the strategic role of system maintenance and the importance of group memory as a key input to systems strategy.