INF 620 Week 6 Final Paper

Inf 620 Week 6 Final Paper

The final paper will demonstrate the students’ ability to assimilate, synthesize, and apply the concepts of management information systems; specifically systems analysis, system design, system development, and systems maintenance. The video case is a factual presentation of McGraw-Hill/Irwin’s PRIMIS Information System. Focus of the Final Paper You will need to review the case questions prior to watching McGraw-Hill MIS Video Case: Primis. You may need to install QuickTime or another media player to watch the videos. You must use critical thinking skills to assimilate and synthesize course concepts that apply to the case questions below.

Specific concepts and vocabulary from the course must be integrated into your responses, demonstrating a clear understanding of management information systems vernacular as it applies to each case question. Final Paper Structure Analysis Describe the kinds of questions McGraw-Hill might have asked as part of determining the feasibility of the Primis idea. Be sure to address the needs of the organization, end users (sales representatives, faculty, and students), IT specialists, and the groups involved in producing the finished custom books. Assess the likelihood of implementing the system given the information the team had at the time. Justify why, or why not.

Design Process engineering is the design of business processes to achieve competitive advantage in cost, quality, speed, and service. Evaluate which advantages were driving the development of the Primis system for McGraw-Hill. Business customers must perceive that products/services are solutions to their problems. Describe how the Primis system design kept this objective in mind. System Development Assess whether the prototyping would have helped the Primis team. Justify why or why not. Conclude why it was important to consider the relationship of Primis to back-end systems at McGraw-Hill. If you were the project manager for Primis, explain and defend what would you have done differently. Maintenance Part of system maintenance is managing the growing volume of content in the Primis database. Explain the criteria you might use for determining content to add to the database. Since many print textbooks are revised every few years, describe how this process would affect contents in the Primis database. Writing the Final Paper The Final Paper: Must be 10- to- 12 double-spaced pages in length (not including the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a title page with the following: Title of paper Student’s name Course name and number Instructor’s name Date submitted Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis. Must use at least three scholarly sources, including a minimum of one from the Ashford University Library, in addition to the text. Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Paper For Above instruction

The integration of management information systems (MIS) is pivotal in modern organizational strategies, especially in the context of developing customized solutions such as McGraw-Hill’s PRIMIS system. This paper critically analyzes the various stages involved in the system's development, from feasibility assessment to maintenance, emphasizing how each phase aligns with core MIS concepts. By dissecting the case study and applying theoretical frameworks, the paper illustrates how strategic decision-making, system design, prototyping, and maintenance influence the successful implementation and sustainability of complex information systems.

Feasibility Analysis: Questions and Considerations

The initial stage of assessing the feasibility of the PRIMIS system would have involved comprehensive inquiries into organizational needs, technical capabilities, and user requirements. McGraw-Hill’s key questions likely included: Does the system address specific business problems? Can it operate effectively within existing technological infrastructures? What is the projected return on investment? Stakeholder analysis would have been essential, covering the needs of sales representatives, faculty, students, IT specialists, and production teams. For instance, understanding the productivity gains for sales reps and accuracy for faculty and students would directly influence the feasibility evaluation.

At the time, given limited initial information, the likelihood of successful implementation depended on the clarity of strategic objectives and resource availability. The team’s willingness to proceed was justified if they perceived the potential for enhanced efficiency and customizable products. If technical and financial risks appeared manageable, adopting a phased approach could have increased the chances of successful implementation, aligning with best practices in systems feasibility analysis (Laudon & Laudon, 2020).

Design Process and Competitive Advantage

The design of the PRIMIS system was primarily driven by the desire to achieve competitive advantage through cost savings, improved quality, rapid service delivery, and enhanced customer satisfaction. System engineering in this context involved streamlining the process of customized textbook production, reducing lead times, and minimizing costs associated with traditional print methods (Alter, 2013). The design aimed to empower business customers by providing solutions tailored to their specific academic needs—an approach that fosters stronger client relationships and market differentiation.

By emphasizing user-centric design, the system kept the end-user experience at the forefront, ensuring that faculty, students, and sales teams perceived the technology as a problem-solving tool. Features such as user-friendly interfaces and rapid customization options reinforced this user-oriented approach, aligning product design with customer expectations (O’Brien & Marakas, 2011). Such alignment is critical in maintaining competitive positioning in a dynamic educational publishing environment.

System Development and Prototyping

Prototyping could have played a significant role in the development of PRIMIS, offering numerous benefits such as early detection of design flaws, user feedback integration, and iterative improvements (Boehm, 1988). Given the complex nature of integrating the system with existing back-end infrastructure, prototypes could have facilitated clearer communication among developers, users, and stakeholders, thus reducing misunderstandings and scope creep.

However, the decision to forego extensive prototyping might have been influenced by time constraints or cost considerations. Nevertheless, considering the importance of integration and user acceptance, prototyping would have likely improved the final product, ensuring it met user needs more precisely and reduced downstream implementation risks. As project manager, I would have prioritized iterative prototyping phases, involving end-users early to refine functionalities and improve system integration.

Furthermore, establishing robust links between PRIMIS and McGraw-Hill’s back-end systems—such as content management and production scheduling—was essential for seamless operations. Ignoring this relationship could have jeopardized system coherence, leading to operational inefficiencies. An integrated approach would have fostered data consistency and operational harmony, essential for long-term system success (Kroenke, 2015).

System Maintenance and Content Management

Ongoing maintenance of the PRIMIS database involves managing an expanding repository of educational content. Criteria for content inclusion should be based on relevance, frequency of use, educational value, and update cycles. Content that is outdated or rarely accessed should be archived or flagged for review (Stair & Reynolds, 2017).

Print textbooks routinely undergo revisions every few years to incorporate new knowledge or curriculum changes. These updates significantly impact the database contents, necessitating a systematic review process. Modular content that can be easily updated or replaced allows for efficient revision management, ensuring the digital repository remains current and accurate. Periodic audits and stakeholder feedback are critical components of this process, helping prioritize content updates effectively (Awad & Ghaziri, 2019).

Conclusion

The development of McGraw-Hill’s PRIMIS system exemplifies the critical application of MIS principles to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction through technological innovation. Each phase, from feasibility to maintenance, requires careful strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and iterative development. Proper integration with back-end systems and prudent content management ensure the system's sustainability and relevance in a competitive educational market. Future projects could benefit from early prototyping and a focus on seamless system integration to optimize outcomes further.

References

• Alter, S. (2013). Information systems: The foundation of e-business. Pearson.
• Awad, E. M., & Ghaziri, H. M. (2019). Management information systems. Pearson.
• Boehm, B. W. (1988). A spiral model of software development and enhancement. Computer, 21(5), 61-72.
• Kroenke, D. M. (2015). Using MIS. Pearson.
• Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2020). Management information systems: Managing the digital firm. Pearson.
• O’Brien, J. A., & Marakas, G. M. (2011). Management information systems. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Stair, R., & Reynolds, G. (2017). Principles of information systems. Cengage Learning.