Preface

The book has a substantial project which runs over a number of chapters. Over the course of the semester, students plan, build, and develop a proposal for an iPhone application. They develop a very realistic mockup. They also build a website to help market and support the app. Students are engaged because the project is fun and feels real. However, they are simultaneously learning business concepts and MIS skills. Prior to the existence of this course, we were only able to give such an interesting project at the senior level. Now, even as freshmen, students have an experience of MIS in operation.

Many other books have students study tools and then do a case. By contrast, most of this book is a case. Much like the real world, we introduce tools when needed, and only to the extent needed, to get at each part of the case.

The text stresses data analytics given its tremendous importance in the business world today.  Students need data analytics to perform well in internships and jobs.

A by product of creating an engaging course is increased enrollment in the MIS major. Even students who have never heard of MIS become excited about the major and either switch majors or add it as a double major or minor.

Similar to the first version, Version 2.0 engages students with hands-on exercises and teaches them to solve problems using the appropriate tools. The updated version has a strong emphasis on data summary, data integration and data-based decision making, including summarizing data using pivot tables in Excel. As referenced above, a substantial app design project runs throughout multiple chapters, allowing students to participate in a business life cycle. The project has students design, market, and ‘sell’ an app in the class store, and finally analyze sales results to propose future design and marketing decisions. Students enjoy the real-world exercises and are able to see the value in what they are learning.

While our background is in MIS, we believe that one of the strengths of the book is its ability to look outside the field for inspiration. We were influenced by a number of writers in the development of the book.

Edward Tufte (The Visual Display of Quantitative Information) is perhaps the world’s leading expert on the design and display of quantitative information. Tufte begins by insisting we focus first on the quality, relevance, and integrity of the content. He has an especially sensitive eye for the ethical dimension—telling the truth in an information display. Good content is followed by the creation of a good design to communicate that content.

Robin Williams (The Non-Designers Design Book) gives simple but effective design rules that can be applied to document design, presentation design, website design, even spreadsheet design. Following these rules students are able to create professional displays of information.

Students will use PowerPoint both in college and the workplace. Why not learn to use it effectively? Two writers were especially helpful in this regard. Both are pioneers in the effective construction of PowerPoint presentations. Garr Reynolds (Presentation Zen) promotes a heavy use of images in PowerPoint. Nancy Duarte (Slide:ology), provides a comprehensive list of design guidelines.