A Data Modeling Case: Writers Guild of America, East

Journal of Information Systems Education, Spring 2004 by Wedel, Thomas L, Behnezhad, Ali R, Gray, Glen L

ABSTRACT

This article presents a case study that was developed as an instructional case for teaching systems analysis and database design. Students are required to utilize their data modeling skills to design an appropriate data structure for the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE). The core application in the case is an accounts receivable system, but with several unique features that necessitate creative thought by the student analysts. The case has been used successfully as both group and individual projects. Student feedback indicates that the WGAE Case is realistic, engaging and challenging without being excessively complex. Teaching notes and a suggested solution consisting of an entity-relationship diagram (ERD) and the associated list of entities and attributes are available through the JISE web site.

Keywords: Systems analysis and design, database design, case study, entity-relationship diagram

1. INTRODUCTION

An efficient teaching tool in systems analysis and design courses is the use of case studies based on real-world applications. Case studies provide students with valuable learning experiences in a classroom setting. In selecting case studies, the major challenge is finding those real world situations that invoke critical thinking while addressing the issues in the case. The ultimate goal is to link theory to practice and to demonstrate to students how they can take a systematic approach in finding appropriate solutions to issues and problems encountered in systems analysis and design.

The following case study can be incorporated in both undergraduate and graduate systems analysis and design and database courses in the information systems (IS) and the accounting information systems (AIS) disciplines. It involves designing a data structure for the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) to support its membership services and billing operations. This real-world example has some unique requirements (e.g., members can have multiple names or aliases as well as multiple mailing addresses) to challenge the students. The information provided in the case is authentic and in the public domain. The design of the data structure for WGAE was initially undertaken as a consulting project that was completed and successfully implemented. Subsequently, the authors organized the data into a case study for use in the classroom. It has been utilized for several semesters in systems analysis classes with outstanding results.

The organization and format of presentation used in this case study paper follows the recommendations of Cappel and Schwager (2002) and the illustrations in Cappel (2002). Membership statistics presented in this case were obtained from the Writers Guild of America, East Inc. Annual Statement (2001-2002). Data concerning specific Guild members were obtained from Writers Guild of America, East Inc. Writers Guild of America Directory of Members (1999).

2. BACKGROUND

The case presented here can be assigned after the theory and practice of data modeling has been covered in lecture. It is usually assigned as a two-week project wherein students are asked to read the case and to perform some preliminary analysis. Any questions, ambiguities, or clarifications concerning the case are then addressed as part of a subsequent lecture. The students are then asked to develop an entity-relationship diagram (ERD) and a list of entities and attributes that is turned in the following week. The case is usually assigned as a group project to reflect the team environment that often characterizes systems development in the real world. However, in small classroom settings, the case has been used successfully as an individual assignment. The case's narrative is typical of the kind of information that a systems analyst might collect through user interviews.

3. DATA MODELING CASE: WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, EAST

Congratulations! You have been hired as a systems analyst to design an integrated information system to meet the requirements of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), one of the major entertainment guilds in the United States. You are responsible for developing an efficient data structure to support current and future membership services and billing operations of WGAE. Your design should accommodate the requirements as indicated below.

The WGAE is a labor union established in 1954 to represent writers in motion pictures, television and radio. The WGAE maintains jurisdiction over writers living east of the Mississippi River and the Writers Guild of America, west (WGAw) represents those to the west. Together, these two organizations coordinate efforts to protect the rights of their members and to work for their betterment. Members of both guilds enjoy the benefits, privileges and protections under various national collective bargaining agreements that detail wages and working conditions for writers in radio, television and film.

The WGAE, headquartered in New York, has approximately 4,000 active union members while the WGAw, headquartered in Los Angeles, has about 8,000. Twice a year, a National Council of representatives of WGAE and WGAw meet to coordinate policy and strategy towards their common purpose of protecting and promoting the interests of their members. Although these two unions negotiate nationwide contracts together, they are separate and distinct organizations with separate offices, staff and information systems. They, however, do share information concerning membership, signatory companies, agents, etc. through an EDI link between t he two systems.