PA 765 "Public Sector Information Management" Fall, 1998
Richard LeGates HSS 137
PH (415) 338-6176 e-mail dlegates@sfsu.edu

Project # 3 Public Computer-based Information System

The Final project for PA 765 is a joint class project which will integrate material from the first two thirds of the course. The class will jointly design, create, and use a public sector computer-based information system (CBIS) consisting of a single integrated database (with a number of related tables, forms, queries, and reports) and a related web site. Each student will be responsible for design, creation, and demonstration of an individual subsystem within the CBIS.

There will be no final exam in PA 765. 25% of the course grade will be based on students’ performance in designing and creating the class CBIS and their December 3 presentation on their subsystem.

October 29

Selection of a hypothetical organization, tentative selection of subsystems to include in the database (e.g. human resources, DSS, finance, budget). Preliminary assignment of students to subsystems.

Two students will be assigned to draft a two-page description of the organization, its mission, and the purpose of the CBIS. They will not prepare a specific subsystem, but will have continuing responsibility during this project for design and synthesis. They will play a lead role in tying the database together and debugging it after November 19.  

Two students will be assigned to prepare a two-page draft design of a web site to accompany the database. They will be responsible for on-going redesign of the website and its relation to the database.

All other students will be assigned a subsystem within the CBIS. Each subsystem will consist of one table with 10 fields; one form for data entry into the table, one query based on the table, and one report to be generated from the table. Students should prepare a page describing the names, lengths, and types of fields which will be included in the table of their subsystem for November 5.

This session is designed to get the ball rolling. There will be a very major revision of the system and its components at the next session and continuing more minor redesign as the project progresses.

Due November 5

The two students who were assigned to describe the organization, its mission, and the purpose of the CBIS will present their description for joint critique and revision.

The two students who were assigned to prepare the draft design of the web site will present their draft design for joint critique and revision.

  All other students will describe their draft subsystem. Each student should describe what the subsystem is for, its audience, and how it will be used. Describe the table and its accompanying form: its field names, lengths, and types. Briefly describe (in words) the query and the report.

  Much of the November 5 session will be devoted to oral discussion of the project and redesign of the CBIS so that the parts are compatible with each other.

Due November 12

Each student should bring to class a revised draft subsystem. We will agree on final components of system: what tables will be included and their characteristics (names, fields, field lengths, field types and what forms, queries, and reports will be included. Most of this session will consist of in-class work creating and testing the database sysystems and the web site.

Due November 19

Continued work on system. All tables, forms, queries, and reports will be finalized by tonight. Our goal is to have the web site operational. Individual subsystems will be assembled into a single working database.

Between the end of this class session and December 3 students should work with the database and prepare to give a 10 minute demonstration and talk on their subsystem.

The students responsible for the overall description of the organization will be responsible for debugging remaining problems.

 November 26 Thanksgiving No Meeting.

No required work.

December 3 Student presentations

Each student will present and describe his/her subsystem. Be prepared to give a 10 minute talk (PowerPoint encouraged). We will collectively use the full CBIS.