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Section 5 - Conclusion
Although presenting similarities with traditional
information systems, Web-based information systems
possess characteristics that require a different set of
methodologies and tools in order to develop high-quality
systems. WISs need to address the requirements of a more
numerous and diverse user base. They include structured
and unstructured data in their content, and the visual
appearance of the Web interface bears more consequences
on the success of the system than in traditional
systems. In fact, Web development has been described as
"a mixture between print publishing and software
development, between marketing and computing, between
internal communications and external relations, and
between art and technology."37
What should drive the development of a Web-based
information system, though, is its user base. Studies in
the field of Web Engineering have concentrated on the
design and implementation of WISs in order to accelerate
systems deployment and respond to the high pressure of
Internet-time. More research on requirements analysis
and users' requirements are needed. Because of the
complexity of Web-based Information systems, it is
crucial to develop clear and systematic development
approaches that cover "all" stages of a WIS development
life cycle.
Requirements analysis, however, is important
since it is the foundation on which all systems are
built. Without a clear statement of the organization's
business objectives, a complete understanding of the
problem domain in which the system is developed, and an
accurate picture of the systems' users, developers
cannot build a high-quality Web-based information
system. In their conclusion to a 2001 survey on
multimedia and Web development techniques and
methodology usage, Barry and Lang conclude
"User-centered approaches must be developed that
translate needs into system representations. Modeling
techniques that aid in requirements representation and
communication will be an essential part of the
multimedia and Web developer's tool set in the
future."38
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