Unit rationale, description and aim
Information systems are essential across all industries to streamline operations and improve organisational efficiency. This unit introduces students to Information Systems Analysis and Design, focusing on the systems analyst's role in identifying and modelling business requirements for effective software solutions.
Students will explore both traditional and modern methodologies, including structured analysis, object-oriented approaches, and Agile frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, and Lean.
Key areas of study include requirements engineering (elicitation, documentation, validation, and management), the use of Unified Modeling Language (UML) for system modelling, and core system design principles such as user interface design, architecture, and usability. Students will also apply industry-relevant tools for modelling and collaboration.
Through real-world case studies, students will apply techniques to analyse business cases, model system processes, and collaborate in team-based settings using Agile practices such as user stories, product backlogs, personas, and sprint planning. Emphasis is placed on both the technical competencies and ethical responsibilities of systems analysts, including adherence to the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Code of Ethics.
The goal of this unit is to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to analyse, design, and model information systems that support business operations effectively, using both traditional and modern development methodologies.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Differentiate traditional and modern methodologies...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply requirement engineering techniques and tools...
Learning Outcome 02
Create system models using object-oriented analysi...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply Agile and Scrum practices to collaboratively...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design
(Role of the systems analyst, System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) overview)
Analysing the Business Case
(Feasibility analysis, stakeholder analysis, business value)
Requirements Engineering
(Types of requirements – functional and non-functional, Requirements engineering activities, Elicitation and analysis techniques, Documentation, Verification and validation, Requirements management)
Requirements Specifications and Agile Methodologies
(Agile principles and values, Extreme Programming, Kanban, Lean Development, User stories, personas, product backlogs, sprint planning boards)
Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD)
(Introduction to OOAD, Unified Modeling Language (UML), Object and process modelling – use case, class, sequence diagrams, etc.)
System Design
(User interface design, System architecture, System controls, and usability considerations)
Development and Implementation Strategies
(In-house development, outsourcing, cloud-based solutions, Managing systems implementation, Testing, training, deployment)
Tools and Platforms
- Introduction to industry-relevant tools such as Lucidchart, Draw.io, Jira, Trello, …)
Assessment strategy and rationale
A variety of assessment tasks are used in this unit to ensure alignment with the learning outcomes and to support the development of ACU’s graduate capabilities. These assessments are designed to provide students with opportunities to demonstrate both theoretical understanding and practical application of information systems analysis and design.
The first assessment consists of lab-based tasks that enable students to apply foundational concepts and tools to solve practical problems and build essential technical skills. The second assessment focuses on students’ ability to analyse a business problem using traditional systems analysis methods and to document system requirements and models using object-oriented techniques. The final assessment requires students to work collaboratively to apply Agile practices—such as user stories and sprint planning—to a real-world scenario, integrating their knowledge to propose iterative software design solutions.
To successfully complete the unit, students must demonstrate competence in all learning outcomes and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Each assessment will be evaluated using a rubric designed to measure achievement against the specific learning outcomes. A final grade will reflect the student’s overall performance in the unit.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Lab Practical Tasks This asse...
Assessment Task 1: Lab Practical Tasks
This assessment comprises a series of instructor-led lab exercises designed to help students translate theoretical concepts into practical skills in systems analysis and design. Activities may include identifying business requirements, drafting use cases, creating UML diagrams, User Stories, etc. and reflecting on development methodologies and the ACS Code of Ethics. These tasks provide a foundation for the more advanced work required in Assessment Task 2 and 3.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Lab Practical exercises
Artefact: Lab report and/or source files
30%
Assessment Task 2: System Analysis and Design Doc...
Assessment Task 2: System Analysis and Design Documentation
In this task, students are provided with a business case and required to analyse the scenario using traditional systems analysis methods. They will document functional and non-functional requirements and produce UML diagrams—such as use case, class, and sequence diagrams—supported by a written rationale.
The purpose of this assessment is to apply structured and object-oriented techniques to accurately model and document system requirements.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Written Report
Artefact: Report (1000 words + Diagrams)
30%
Assessment Task 3: Agile Systems Analysis Present...
Assessment Task 3: Agile Systems Analysis Presentation
In small teams (2-3 people), students will analyse a real or simulated business case using Agile and Scrum methodologies. They will develop user stories, product backlogs, acceptance criteria, and sprint goals, and present their findings through a written report and an oral presentation (10 minutes).
This assessment aims to develop students’ skills in collaboration, communication, and iterative analysis through the application of modern, team-based systems analysis, design and development practices.
Submission Type: Group
Assessment Method: Written report
Artefact: Report (1200 words + tables/charts) and Team Presentation (in-person or online)
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit uses a collaborative and practice-based learning approach and will be delivered in multi-mode over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period. Students will have access to all primary learning materials online, along with formative and summative assessments, all of which will be available online, to provide a learning experience beyond the classroom. While there are no formal classroom lectures for this unit, students will be required to attend weekly two-hour workshops, which will include a seminar and specific tasks related to achievement of the unit learning outcomes.
Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings, online forum participation and assessment preparation.