Abstract This paper discusses how the implementation of information technologies in any organization must always be aligned with the strategic goals and objectives of the enterprise. The paper stresses that technology should be a business driver. The paper further discusses how, whether the technology is ready-made or custom developed, application systems implementation should undergo the systems design life cycle or systems developmentlife cycle (SDLC). This paper then reviews the SDLC process.
From the Paper "The implementation of information technologies in any organization must always be aligned with the strategic goals and objectives of the enterprise. Technology should be a business driver and must always be in support of the business and not the other way around. One of the aspects of the employment of information technology is automation various business process by purchasing ready-made or off-the-shelf application systems. Custom software development can also be done especially with specialized business process. Whether ready-made or custom developed, application systems implementation should undergo the systems design life cycle or systems development life cycle (SDLC)."
Tags: logic, characteristics, support, project, development, information, data
Abstract This paper explains the benefits of using a system developmentlife cycle methodology (SDLC) for implementing a management information system. The paper describes the various options for a MIS and explains why the model of an SDLCs is preferred.
From the Paper "A system development life cycle SDLC is the overall process of developing information systems through a multistep process, from investigation of initial requirements through analysis, design, implementation and..."
Tags: systems developmentlife cycle methodology, SDLC, benefits, management information system, top-down design
Abstract The Life-Span Theory of career development, developed by D.E. Super in 1953, is a highly useful tool for understanding career choice and development across the lifespan. This paper begins by providing a summary of the theory and then looks at literature written about this theory, which presents its strengths and weaknesses.
From the Paper "A number of key figures helped to shape Super's Life-Span theory of career development. These included Hull, Thorndike, and Bandura, who helped to shape the major focus of the theory toward an understanding of the distinct life roles of the individual, and that personality and interests could change across the life span, rather than just the first few decades of life (Super, Savickas, and Super, 1996). The basic assumption that underlies Super's theory is that individuals change as they mature. Further, Super's theory is built on an understanding of self concept, which "develops through physical and mental growth, observations of work, identification with working adults, general environment, and general experiences" (Zunker, p. 30)."
Abstract This paper examines adult development, lifespandevelopment theory and homelessness. The paper presents research for male and female homeless individuals. The paper focuses on the effects of homelessness in various developmental stages: middle age (40-60), older mature adults (60-80), and late adulthood (80 and over).
Abstract This paper discusses system developmentlife-cycle (SDLC), an approach to developing an information system or software product characterized by a linear sequence of steps that progress from start to finish without revisiting any previous step. The author points out that the SDLC model is a project management tool, which is used to plan, execute, and control systems development projects. The paper reviews many models, including the Waterfall Model, which is built upon the basic steps associated with SDLC using a "top-down" development cycle in completing the system and represents a traditional type of SDLC. Tables.
Table of Contents
Waterfall Model
Survivable Systems Analysis Model
Prototyping Model
The Exploratory Model
Spiral Model
FAST Methodology
PIECES Framework
Life Cycle Procedures
From the Paper "Disadvantages identified by Walsham (1993) in relation to the Waterfall Model include that change to contract and costs must be renegotiated if such changes are made once construction has been initiated. As well, users must wait until the end of the project or until at least a major portion of it is complete, before observing the results. Finally, the early phases of the project often take much longer due to the time necessary to generate the detail necessary in the SSD. According to Kay (2002), another major problem associated with the Waterfall Model is that it assumes that the only role for users is in specifying requirements, and that all requirements can be specified in advance."
Abstract This paper attempts to analyze a work-related project that uses a systems analysis tool for the implementation of a specific business or information system. The paper focuses on the use of the System DevelopmentLife Cycle (SDLC) to implement a business or information technology need, as well as the implications associated with the development of an internally used software package. The paper provides insights into International Lumberyards, Inc., implementation, information-gathering, and other techniques used for various aspects of the reengineering project. The System DevelopmentLife Cycle is evaluated to determine if it has been successful or if there were obvious failures in the efforts to institute the concepts of "Business Process Re-engineering" or "Work-flow Management".
From the Paper "The true problem of almost all businesses today revolves around the fact that all aspects of industry have been put into a position of forced efficiency by technology such as b2b and other e-business advances. In addition, the ever increasing demands of the highly competitive global economy will continue to keep all businesses under this pressure.
The goal of the business community will need to be to always establish methods or processes that allow for more capitalization. "A new technology infrastructure, aligned with the business strategy, will allow for future growth as well as addressing the limitations of the current environment." (Grabski, 2002)"
Abstract The Systems DevelopmentLife Cycle (SDLS) has historically been a very useful tool in the development of software and operating systems in computer information technology. The five phases performed within a linear pattern of a SDLS are: Planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance. This work gives a detailed analysis of each of these five phases and demonstrates ways in which the linear system is effective and how it has been used to develop new systems and subsystems that have greatly influenced the world of technology and business. Lastly, it briefly discusses possible alterations to the system and some shortcomings seen in the implementation of its use over the years.
From the Paper "Many designers would consider the most crucial and exciting phase of the lifecycle to be the design phase. This is where the on-paper theories are put into proposed code. The design team takes the planning and analysis, goals and guidelines for purpose and use and begins the development stage. During this phase the design team describes features to be performed in greater detail, they describe scream composition, apply rules of business, write countless diagrams describing functions and processes and begin documenting the first phase of code, called pseudocode, or theoretical code. It is from this paper trail that the development of the next phase begins."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that A. Grob, F. Krings and A. Bangerter describe human development in terms of an interaction between biological, socio historical, and social factors, as well as individual developmental tasks. Further, the writer points out that they also view the overall purpose of development as the person constructing his or her own biography by formulating personal projects and goals. The writer maintains that along with physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial aspects of development, growth and development consist of developmental tasks and, even though they are interrelated, one task must be successfully mastered before the next can be begun. The same is true for the key aspects of development because barriers to development can interfere with growth and adaptation in later stages of the lifespan.
From the Paper "Ongoing conflict and a subsequent divorce can cause the child also to be conflicted so that they do not have the emotional capacity to cope with the event. Academic work will suffer and their entire personality development may be affected. The results of such an event can continue into adulthood so that the former child becomes insecure about the idea of marriage and has trouble with relationships in general."
"The child's growth and development at any life stage can be influenced positively or negatively. With the young child, the environment and family context determine not only the child's physical and cognitive development but their future healthy adaptation as an adult. In terms of cognitive development, for example, if the child is not given the stimulating environment or the motivation to learn, they will not feel that they are capable of learning."
Abstract This paper discusses the ways in which "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom, reflects issues in family and individual life cycle development. More specifically the paper looks at how the Book expresses life-spandevelopment and transition and contributes to an understanding of the content and structure of end-of-life issues.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the book "Tuesdays With Morrie" by Mitch Albom with respect to ways in which it expresses life-span development and transition and contributes to an understanding of the content and structure of end-of-life issues. The plan of the research will be to set forth the pattern of ideas and events in the text and then to discuss the means by which an elaboration of an individual life reaches meaning in regard to more general experience and serves as an example of the..."
Abstract This paper gives an analysis of the first chapter of the book that concentrates on the bio-social, cognitive and psychosocial aspects of development. The paper shows how the student can explore the processes undergone in the human life-cycle and learn about the influences on development such as socio-economic status, genetics, culture, school, family and society. The different research methods are explained.
From the Paper "Firstly, the development means change in quantity such as increase in vocabulary and then in quality such as acquiring the concept of rhyming words. However, special concern is given to distinctive new thought along with the behavior patterns. Secondly, the author's developmental psychology book is concerned with not only identifying what changes occur during the human life cycle, but also discovering why these changes take place, and how they take place."
Abstract In this article, the writer explains that lifespan development and developmental psychology, in general, study the changes that occur in an individual throughout his entire lifespan, from his existence as a prenatal to old age and death. The writer notes that basically, lifespan development studies the evolution and changes of the individual, as well as of groups of individuals, over their entire period of life. On the other hand, the writer maintains that it is important to have a definition of the term development, as perceived by psychologists. It is much more difficult for an individual nowadays to be separated from the environment in which he lives and works and be examined as he is. The writer discusses that this can be in part beneficial for a psychologist, witnessing the object of study at work, in his own environment, but it can also be challenging, due to the fact that collectivism seems to be much better represented nowadays than individualism was before.
From the Paper "Among the most important categories of lifespan development methodologies, we can enumerate longitudinal study and cross-sectional study. In the longitudinal study, individuals that are born around the same period of time are jointly analyzed throughout their lifespan in order to observe not only individual development, but also differential individual development and see how and why individuals developed differently.
"On the other hand, in the cross-sectional study, the psychologist will aim to analyze individuals of different ages at a certain moment of time. Differently from the previous method, this will require fewer resources while provided useful resources about the individual development at various age stages. Cross-sectional study also helps lifespan development psychologists answer important questions referring to whether or not experience changes actual accumulation and development of an individual and how different age groups react differently in different situations ..."
Abstract This paper addresses the question of cognitive development in childhood and how it has a significant impact on further development throughout a person's lifespan. The paper suggests that many people are still unclear on precisely how learning at this life stage occurs. The paper examines three of the premier theorists on child development and evaluates how each approach contributes to a greater understanding of how children learn.
Table of Contents:
Piaget's Theory of Development Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development Social Cognitive Theory
Conclusion
From the Paper "Lev Vygotsky strongly believed that children often follow an adult's example, and thus have the capacity to develop skills and tasks on their own. Vygotsky presented these ideas under the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). In ZPD, the learner, teacher and the content all interact with a problem that needs to be resolved (Vygotsky 1978). Vygotsky's ZPD is thus a problem-based approach. The learning occurs as a child observes the adult/teacher. This social interaction is important, since the teacher acts as a model for a student to find appropriate solutions to the problem at hand. Vygotsky believed cognitive development or learning occurs when partners work jointly to solve problems (Vygotsky 1978). Many schools are therefore applying this approach through mentoring programs, where older students act as teacher/mentors to those in younger grade levels."
Abstract In this article, the writer presents an examination of the expectation development theory as it relates to child and adolescent lifespandevelopment. The theory is developed by the writer using the character Forrest Gump as the case study. The writer notes that though the character Forrest Gump is a fictional character in a movie, the character provides a perfect back drop for understanding and applying the invented theory of expectation development. The writer concludes that the movie shows the world that the theory can be applied to human life with little regard to particular cultures or societies and this lends credibility to the truth of the theory itself.
From the Paper "The Expectation Theory of Life Span development involves several stages of life. It is built on the idea that individuals pass through various stages of expectations and if these stages are successfully met and handled they are mentally, emotionally and physically able to move into the next step of their life span development.
The theory examined and discovered that the importance of adults, peers and others in the life of an individual alternates as various stages of development are entered into and conquered.
"The first stage of the theory involves the child's expectations of the world. As the child is born and travels through his or her basic infancy the child develops expectations of the world and how the world should react to his needs.
This is observed by a child's cry when hungry, wet or ill and the expectation of that child that his or her needs will be met by those that surround his or her life.
"One example of this can be seen in the child who cries when hungry. The expectation the child has from that cry is that one of the caretakers will appear with a bottle or breast, however if that does not happen the child begins to expect negative results from his or her cry. This makes it difficult to move into the next stage of development."
