NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT
COMPUTING AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
MODULE CODE
: ITU 07101
MODULE NAME
: BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEM
LECTURER’S NAME
: JOYCE RINGO
STUDENT’S NAME
: JOHNSON MWEMEZI JOFREY
STUDENT’S RE G NO
: NIT/BIT/2025/3238
STREAM
:B
ACADEMIC YEAR
: 2025/2026
SEMESTER
: ONE
ASSIGNMENT
CHANCE)
: INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT 1 (SECOND
SUBMISSION DATE
: 02nd January2026
QUESTION:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Explain what is system thinking
List and explain at least 5 concepts of system thinking
List and explain at least 5 components of system thinking
Identify and explain non-human and human parts of system thinking
List and explain at least 5 importance as to why you are studying BIS.
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ANSWERS:
1.Explain what is system thinking.
System thinking is the way of making comparison between a real world situation and a system that helps
to understand the real world situation.
Example of system thinking; It is quite possible to touch physically all the parts of a central heating
systems but it is a matter of choice based on our interest at a given moment, whether we choose to think
about it as a system.
2. List and explain at least 5 concepts of system thinking.
i) Connections and loops.
Understanding how different systems interact is one of the most powerful tools to solve some of the most
intractable situations faced by government. System dynamics has been used to describe complex
situations and evaluate alternative policy and technical solutions.
ii) Parts, wholes and layers.
All systems are similar. For example they have an environment, sub systems and interactions.
Understanding of basic systems theory helps ensure that solutions are viable and that systems (including
social systems) can meet their performance and effectiveness requirements.
iii) Context and belief systems.
People do not have a consistent view of a system. Soft systems approaches can be used to understand
these different perspectives, enabling solutions to be developed that meet a diverse range of stakeholders
needs and wishes.
iv) Processes and how change happened.
The systems approach is core to realizing complex systems. It has been used to get humans on the moon
win the battle of britain and transform major corporations.
v) Sub-systems.
These are small systems which enable to submits the information to the main system.
Example: Startup company evolves its business model.
3. List and explain at least 5 components of system thinking.
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i) Elements.
These enable to make up the system such as people, processes, technology and resources.
Example In school, element include teachers, students and teaching equipments and facilities.
ii) Dynamics.
Refer to the patterns of behavior and change the emerge from the interactions and interconnections within
the system, including stability growth and decline.
iii) Feedback loops.
These loops enable system to adjust and adapt to changes, including feedback, feedforward and learning.
For example, A hospitals quality improvement team collects patient feedback to identify areas for
improvement.
iv) Functions of a system.
As we understand the main aim of components of system thinking is to help us to understand how
systems work, how they change and how we can influence them. So this make functions of system to be a
part or component of system thinking.
v) Interconnections.
Refers to the relationship and interactions between elements, including communication, feedback loops,
and flows of resources.
Example: In a hospital interconnections include doctor- patient relationships, nurse-doctor
communication and medical records sharing.
4. Identify and explain non-human and human parts of system thinking.
i) Non-human parts
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Are essential components of a systems and understanding their roles is crucial for effective system
thinking.
Examples of non-human parts include.
a) Infrastructure
This include buildings, roads, bridges and other physical structures that enable system to operate its
functions.
Example: A city's water supply system includes pipes, pumps and treatments plants
b) Natural environment
This includes climate, ecosystems and natural resources that systems interact with.
Example: A farm relies on soil, water and sunlight to grow crops.
c) Technology.
This includes computers, software, machine and equipment that perform specific functions
Example: A self-driving car's sensors, GPS, and computer systems work together to navigate roads.
ii) Human parts of the system thinking.
These are vital components of systems, bringing unique qualities and capabilities.
Example of human parts of the system thinking include:
a) Customers and Users
These are people who interact with the system, providing input and feedback.
Example: Online shoppers influence E-commerce platforms through purchases and reviews.
b) Organizations
Refer to the structured entities with defined roles, policies and goals.
Example: A hospital has departments, staff and procedures to provide patient care.
c) Individuals
People with skills, knowledge and experiences that contribute to system operation.
Example: A software engineer writes code for a new app.
5. List and explain at least 5 importance as to why you are studying BIS.
i) Help in controls the information flow in business operations.
Computers and networks can transmit data from one department to another which speeds up operations.
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For example, a computer can send sales information through a network from the Sales department to the
Shipping department, then send Shipping information to the Billing department and finally transmit
billing information to the Accounts receivable departnent.
ii) Helps to increases the efficiency of the business operations involved.
Controlling the flow of information between departments using computers and networks increases the
efficiency of the business operations involved.
iii) Help to increase the effectiveness of management decision making and solve business
problems.
Managers use information systems to obtain information to assist in their decision making.
For example, When deciding whether to grant credit to a customer, a manager can use an information
system to examine the customer's credit history.
iv) Helps design systems that meet real user needs.
Studying Business Information Systems helps in accepting and preparing customer orders for goods or
services and also preparing them in a form that can be used by the business.. Billing customers involves
preparing customers' bills or invoices
v) It prepares students for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Knowledge of Business Information Systems provides the methods and technology to support
information needs and processing for every function in all types of business. Information Systems are
used in accounting, finance, marketing, production, and human resource management, and they also
provide for the communication of information between the functions of a business and for processing that
involves several functions.
REFERENCES
Question 1
i)Nickerson, R.C.(2009) Business and Information systems.San Francisco: State University
ii)O.Brien, J.A.(2011) Information systems and analysis. India: The McGraw Hill Companies
iii)Bennet, S., McRobb, S. & Farmer, R.(2002). Objective-oriented system analysis and design. Mc Graw
Hill Companies
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iv)Hoffer, J.A., George, J.F.& Valacich, J.S (2005). Modern Systems analysis and design. Pearson
Prentice Hall
Question 2
i)Meadows, D.(2008) Thinking In Systems: A Primer
ii)System thinking. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_thinking
iii) Nickerson, R.C.(2009) Business and Information systems.San Francisco: State University
iv)Bennet, S., McRobb, S. & Farmer, R.(2002). Objective-oriented system analysis and design. Mc Graw
Hill Companies
Question 3
i)Meadows, D.(2008) Thinking In Systems: A Primer
ii)System thinking. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_thinking
iii)Hoffer, J.A., George, J.F.& Valacich, J.S (2005). Modern Systems analysis and design. Pearson
Prentice Hall
iv)Bennet, S., McRobb, S. & Farmer, R.(2002). Objective-oriented system analysis and design. Mc Graw
Hill Companies
Question 4
i)System thinking. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_thinking
ii)Systems theory of systems thinking. In ReaserchGate. https://www.researchgate.network
iii)Bennet, S., McRobb, S. & Farmer, R.(2002). Objective-oriented system analysis and design. Mc Graw
Hill Companies
iv)Meadows, D.(2008) Thinking In Systems: A Primer
Question 5
i)Bennet, S., McRobb, S. & Farmer, R.(2002). Objective-oriented system analysis and design. Mc Graw
Hill Companies
ii)Hoffer, J.A., George, J.F.& Valacich, J.S (2005). Modern Systems analysis and design. Pearson
Prentice Hall
iii)Nickerson, R.C.(2009) Business and Information systems.San Francisco: State University
iv)O.Brien, J.A.(2011) Information systems and analysis. India: The McGraw Hill Companies
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