Best Practices for Teaching Information Systems Modelling

The subject of Information Systems Modelling (ISM) grew out of computer science to fill a gap created by the difficulties programmers had in understanding and solving user problems. The intention behind ISM is to facilitate communication between technologists (many of whom have no idea of the complexity of organisations) and end-users and their managers (many of whom are unable to translate their problems into feasible demands upon technology). “Best practices” in information system development might therefore be considered to be those practices which contribute in some way to improving communication between these two parties. The work described here is primarily focussed on documenting practices that address the issues associated with the seamless transition from a requirements model seamlessly to a technology based system that satisfies those requirements. This has involved reflection on lessons learned during thirty years’ experience of teaching Information Systems Modelling in the context of higher education.