INFS2024

1
ISE Planning Day Information Systems
Discipline  
2
IS Facets
1. Theories that suggest Units Research
1. Information Theory 2. Systems Theory
(Components, organisation emergence) b. Human
Activity Systems b. Organisational Systems c.
Systems Architecture 3. Design Theory
2. Context that suggest Units Research
Academic Interest, Technology Change, Hot Topics,
Canberra UC Software Engineering
Informatics-using disciplines
3
IS Facet 1 Information Theory
Cognitive World
Information World
Physical World
4
IS Facet 1 Information Theory
Information World
Cognitive World
ontology
ontology
Represented Knowledge
Represented Knowledge
Statements (in documents)
Statements (in documents)
actor
Data
Data
Physical World
5
IS Facet 2a Human Activity Systems
6
IS Facet 2b Organizational Systems
7
IS Facets 2c System Architecture
Architectural Layers Organization Interactio
n (incl program) Information Technology
System Components
Models / Specs Rich Picture Org Struct
process Activity Daigram Storyboard Scenario U
secase Entity-relationship Systems
Architecture
8
IS Facet 3 Design Theory
The professional practice of IS has to do with
coming to an understanding of the data,
information and knowledge in a complex human
activity system (HAS) and intervening in that
HAS by modifying information systems in an
effort to improve the lives of stakeholders.
9
IS Facet 3 Design Theory
The professional practice of IS has to do with
coming to an understanding of the data,
information and knowledge in a complex human
activity system (HAS) and intervening in that
HAS by modifying information systems in an
effort to improve the lives of stakeholders.
10
IS Facet 3 Design Theory
The professional practice of Architecture has to
do with coming to an understanding of the
spatial aspects in a complex human activity
system (HAS) and intervening in that HAS by
modifying buildings and landscape in an effort
to improve the lives of stakeholders.
11
IS Facet 3 Design Theory
Architecture is analogous to IS. The
Architect, Christopher Alexander A Pattern
Language (1977) The Timeless Way of Building
(1979) captures the very human nature of designed
change ... when you build a thing you cannot
merely build that thing in isolation, but must
also repair the world around it, and within it,
so that the larger world at that one place
becomes more coherent, and more whole and the
thing which you make takes its place in the web
of nature, as you make it. (1977 p.
xiii) Architecture is more concrete than IS,
but the disciplines share many fundamental
principles.
12
IS Facet 3 Design Theory
1
2
3
options
analysis
design
accept
build
4
requirements spec.
design spec.
4 broad Designs evaluation
system
implement
Human Activity System
input/output
feedback
13
IS Facets
1. Theories that suggest Units Research
1. Information Theory 2. Systems Theory b.
Human Activity Systems b. Organisational
Systems c. Systems Components Architecture 3.
Design Theory
2. Context that suggest Units Research
Academic Interest, Technology Change, Hot
Topics Software Engineering Informatics-using
disciplines
14
Context that suggest Units Research
Academic's Interest Relate interests to teaching
(part of workload allocation) Develop interests
in areas of need Students Interests What's
attractive to the classes of student - school
leaver, professional development, career
conversion Technology Change Second life ( but
old stuff too - eg. Stella) Hot
Topics ? Changes in Cognate Disciplines SE
Informatics-using Disciplines Health
Informatics, Government Informatics
15
Information Systems Software Engineering
16
Informatics User Disciplines

IS
ICT
SE
17
IS Directions for Research Teaching
Research Move from Projects Interests to
research program? Teaching in '09 1. Expand
Information (Document - Records - Workflow) New
Online Unit - "Dimensions of the Information
Sector" (Fac of Comms) Split DWF into 2 - move
into information management 2. Expand Data New
unit - Data Quality. Other aspects of data - an
ontology unit? Mobilise Security? 3. Integrate
data, Information Knowledge - expand GST 4.
Social Informatics Second life, Web 3... 5.
Re-Organise IS Management ISM - BICS -
ITBA Expand Enterprise Architecture,
Requirements Procurement, Evaluation 6. Fix
SPQM - SEP (Expand into Grad Cert?)
18
IS Facets
1. Theories that suggest Units Research
1. Information Theory 2. Systems Theory b.
Human Activity Systems b. Organisational
Systems c. Systems Components Architecture 3.
Design Theory
2. Context that suggest Units Research
Academic Interest, Technology Change, Hot
Topics Software Engineering Informatics-using
disciplines