1. Information system analysis and design
Dr. Dina Tbaishat

2. Recap
Last lecture we looked at system analysis in more detail, including the main activities that take place in this process
We also discussed the SSM proposed by Checkland, and introduced rich pictures
Today we shall introduce root definitions as tools to help in problem definition and continue with SSM steps

3. Third Step: CATWOE and Root definitions
To construct a root definition, mnemonic
CATWOE is used where the letters
represent important aspects of the systems
that has to be considered, from the rich
picture you should be able to identify:
Customers (victims or beneficiaries?)
Actions (who carries out the processes associated with transformation? Who is doing something?)

4. Transformation (what is happening?)
World view (what are the assumptions?)
Owners (who can stop the system?)
Environment (what are the conditions in which the system is operating? What are the external constraints / opportunities?)

5. Now we can obtain one or more root definitions, for example:
“This system is operated for (C) by (A) and involves (T), in the hope/assumption of (W). It is subject to (E) and can be stopped by (O) at any time”
We shall now look at an example of a hospital from three perspectives: the doctor, the patient and the administrator (Avison, 2006)

6. Patient’s view Client: Me Actor: The doctor Transformation: Treatment
Worldview: I’ve paid my taxes so I’m entitled to it
Owner: The system, or maybe, the taxpayer
Environment: The hospital
A hospital is a place that I go to get treated by a doctor, I’m entitled because I’m a taxpayer, the system is there to make sure taxpayers get the treatment they need

7. Doctor’s view Client: Patients Actor: Me
Transformation: Treatment (probably by specialized equipment, nursing care)
Worldview: Treat as many people as possible within a working week
Owner: Hospital administrators
Environment: My works vs. my private life

8. A hospital is a system designed to enable me to treat as many patients as possible with the aid of specialized equipments and nursing care. Organizational decisions are made by the hospital administrators (who ought to try treating patients without the proper facilities) against a background of NHS politics and my vision of a profitable private practice and regular weekends with my family

9. Administrator’s view Client: Doctors Actor: Me
Transformation: Enable Dr.s reduce waiting lists
Worldview: Create bigger hospital within budget
Owner: The government department of health
Environment: Politics
An institution in which Dr.s (and less expensive staff) are enabled by administrators to provide a service to avoid long waiting lists. Ultimate responsibility rests with government and the environment is political

10. Fourth Step: Conceptual models
Trying to structure debate on what system is for – or might be for?
Example 1: is a student assessment system:
a system of appraisal for the teacher?
a system of ‘grading’ students?
an integral part of learning for students?
something useful for future employers to assess competencies?
Example 2: are prisons for rehabilitation or for the protection of society?

11. Rest of SSM steps Comparison of models with the real world
Consideration of desired changes
Action taken

12. References
Sommerville, I. (2001). Software Engineering. UK: Addison Wesley
Kendall, K. E., & Kendall, J. E. (2002). Systems analysis and design. USA: Pearson Education
Avison, D. & Fitzgerald, G. (2006). Information Systems Development: Methodologies, Techniques and Tools. 4th edition. Maidenhead (Great Britain): McGraw-Hill Education
Monk A., and Howard, S. (1998). The rich picture: a tool for reasoning about work context. Interactions (March-April)