INSY 4158 MIDTERM
A(n) _____ is an event that could affect a project negatively. Select one: a. risk b. uncertainty c. issue d. webinar
A
Project managers always must be aware of the _____, so they can monitor the vital tasks and keep a project on track. Select one: a. critical path b. relative path c. dynamic path d. absolute path
A
A _____ represents the work that one person can complete in one day. a. work-duration b. person-day c. person-work d. work-day
B. person-day
Critical Thinking Questions Mauricio, a project manager at a reputed firm, has been assigned to handle a new project that the firm has received. This project involves a lot of scheduling that has to be handled by Mauricio. Mauricio estimates that the first module of the project could be completed in as few as 15 days or could take as many as 25 days, but most likely will require 20 days. Determine the expected task duration. Select one: a. 17.5 b. 25 c. 20 d. 22.5
C
Critical Thinking Questions Case 2-1 Lara, managing director of an information technology firm, has received a big project from one of their highly valuable clients. However, the project received is different from the usual projects they handle. Lara performs certain analyses and ensures that the company's image will not be at risk by taking this project. This is an example of _____. Select one: a. operational feasibility b. economic feasibility c. technical feasibility d. schedule feasibility
a. operational feasibility
Rapid application development (RAD) relies heavily on _____. Select one: a. prototyping b. management direction c. agile methods d. scrum
a. prototyping
To evaluate _____, a systems analyst needs information about projected future volume for all outputs, inputs, and processes. Select one: a. scalability b. reliability c. compatibility d. applicability
a. scalability
The _____ is a widely used method of visualizing and documenting software systems design. Select one: a. Unified Modeling Language (UML) b. total cost of ownership (TCO) c. functional decomposition diagram (FDD) d. Rapid Economic Justification (REJ)
a. Unified Modeling Language (UML)
The kind of document shown in the accompanying figure starts with a heading, which should include all except _____. Select one: a. a brief statement of purpose b. your suggestions c. your signature d. your observations
a. a brief statement of purpose
In a preliminary investigation report, the _____ section is included in the report if supporting information must be attached. Select one: a. appendix b. introduction c. recommendations d. findings
a. appendix
he term _____ refers to the reasons, or justifications, for a proposal. Select one: a. business case b. use case c. work statement d. problem charter
a. business case
A _____ is a summary of a project request and a specific recommendation. Select one: a. case for action b. routine report c. breakdown report d. case for approval
a. case for action
If an interviewee gives only short or incomplete responses to open-ended questions, a systems analyst should _____. Select one: a. switch to closed-ended questions b. give the interviewee easy access to supporting material that might be needed c. continue using open-ended questions d. rudely conclude the meeting
a. switch to closed-ended questions
The objective of a _____ is to use the combined judgement and experience of several analysts to evaluate systems projects. Select one: a. computer resources committee b. data storage committee c. system networking committee d. topology identification committee
a. computer resources committee
Projects where management has a choice in implementing them are called _____ projects. Select one: a. discretionary b. nondiscretionary c. appended d. concatenated
a. discretionary
In a preliminary investigation report, the _____ section contains a brief description of the system, the name of the person or group performing the investigation, and the name of the person or group who initiated the investigation. Select one: a. introduction b. recommendations c. expected benefits d. time and costs estimates
a. introduction
When preparing a representative sample from a list of 200 customers who complained about errors in their statements, a _____ might select every tenth customer for review. Select one: a. systematic sample b. stratified sample c. random sample d. comprehensive sample
a. systematic sample
A systems analyst conducts a preliminary investigation to study the _____ and recommend specific action. Select one: a. systems request b. project scheduling report c. systems validation d. project staffing report
a. systems request
A SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis contributes to the strategic planning process by examining a firm's _____ resources. Select one or more: a. technical b. human c. financial d. logistical
a. technical b. human c. financial
A _____ is a review of a project team member's work by other members of a team. a. structured walk-through b. foundational walk-through c. baseline walk-through d. critical walk-through
a. structured walk-through
_____ is a planned meeting during which a systems analyst obtains information from another person. Select one: a. A survey b. An interview c. Sampling d. Research
b. An interview
_____ components can provide automated response to sales inquiries, online order processing, and inventory tracking. Select one: a. Just-in-time (JIT) b. Customer relationship management (CRM) c. Automatic teller machine (ATM) d. Total cost of ownership (TCO)
b. Customer relationship management (CRM)
_____ are advantages that are difficult to measure in dollars but are important to a company. Select one: a. Tangible benefits b. Intangible benefits c. Tactile benefits d. Real benefits
b. Intangible benefits
_____ includes ongoing support and maintenance costs, as well as acquisition costs. Select one: a. CRC (Customer relationship costs) b. TCO (Total cost of ownership) c. JIT (Just-in-time costs) d. RCT (Real cost of time)
b. TCO (Total cost of ownership)
_____ refers to the practical resources needed to develop, purchase, install, or operate a system. Select one: a. Operational feasibility b. Technical feasibility c. Schedule feasibility d. Market feasibility
b. Technical feasibility
Which of the following is a typical example of a system requirement for the output category? Select one: a. Manufacturing employees must swipe their ID cards into data collection terminals that record labor costs. b. The contact management system must generate a daily reminder list for all sales reps. c. All transactions must have audit trails. d. As the final step in year-end processing, the payroll system must update employee salaries, bonuses, and benefits and produce tax data required by the IRS.
b. The contact management system must generate a daily reminder list for all sales reps.
In the rapid application development (RAD) model in the accompanying figure, during the _____ phase, users interact with systems analysts and develop models and prototypes that represent all system processes, outputs, and inputs. a. requirements planning b. user design c. construction d. cutover
b. user design
A _____ must be achieved to fulfill a company's mission. Select one: a. key performance factor b. core competency c. critical success factor d. vision competency
c. critical success factor
Of the measures of feasibility, _____ assesses tangible and intangible benefits to a company in addition to costs. Select one: a. schedule feasibility b. technical feasibility c. economic feasibility d. operational feasibility
c. economic feasibility
The process of concentrating on what is said in an interview and noticing any nonverbal communication that takes place is called _____. Select one: a. brainstorming b. sampling c. engaged listening d. fact-finding
c. engaged listening
In a(n) _____ structure, which usually is based on interpersonal relationships, some people have more influence or knowledge than appears on an organization chart. Select one: a. spontaneous b. unstructured c. informal d. open-ended
c. informal
Supporters of neutral locations for interviews believe that it _____. Select one: a. makes the interviewee feel comfortable during the meeting b. gives the interviewee easy access to supporting material that might be needed c. keeps interruptions to a minimum so people can concentrate fully d. gives the interviewee an opportunity to take calls during the interview
c. keeps interruptions to a minimum so people can concentrate fully
Determining the _____ means defining the specific boundaries, or extent, of a project. Select one: a. project index b. project matrix c. project scope d. project table
c. project scope
When preparing a representative sample from a list of 200 customers who complained about errors in their statements, a _____ might select any 20 customers. Select one: a. systematic sample b. stratified sample c. random sample d. comprehensive sample
c. random sample
A(n) _____ is not as flexible as a series of interviews, but it is less expensive, generally takes less time, and can involve a broad cross-section of people. Select one: a. fishbone b. experiment c. survey d. research
c. survey
Which of the following is an example of a tangible benefit? Select one: a. A user-friendly system that improves employee job satisfaction b. A sales tracking system that supplies better information for marketing decisions c. A new website that enhances a company's image d. An online package tracking system that improves service and decreases the need for clerical staff
d. An online package tracking system that improves service and decreases the need for clerical staff
When assessing ________________ a systems analyst must consider the interaction between time and costs. schedule feasibility resource technical market
schedule
_____ are important to a systems analyst who must work with people at all organizational levels, balance conflicting needs of users, and communicate effectively. Select one: a. Problem solving skills b. Artistic skills c. Interpersonal skills d. Confrontational skills
c. Interpersonal skills
Electronic data interchange (EDI) enables _____ inventory systems, which rely on computer-to-computer data exchange to minimize unnecessary inventory. Select one: a. CRM (Customer relationship management) b. EPOD (Electronic proof of delivery) c. JIT (Just-in-time) d. RFID (Radio frequency identification)
c. JIT (Just-in-time)
_____ means that a project can be implemented in an acceptable time frame. Select one: a. Operational feasibility b. Technical feasibility c. Schedule feasibility d. Economic feasibility
c. Schedule feasibility
A _____ cannot be started until a previous task is completed. Select one: a. precursor task b. concurrent task c. predecessor task d. dependent task
D. dependent task
A strategic plan that stresses technology tends to create an unfavorable climate for IT projects that extends throughout an organization. Select one: True False
False
Due to the limited range of input and interaction among participants, few companies believe that a joint application development (JAD) group does not produce the best definition of a new system. Select one: True False
False
In the early stages of systems analysis, interviews usually focus on specific topics, but as the fact-finding process continues, the interviews are more general. Select one: True False
False
Information systems that interact with customers usually receive low priority. Select one: True False
False
Systems developers use joint application development (JAD) whenever group input and interaction are not desired, because it is linked to a specific development methodology. Select one: True False
False
Systems requests seldom are aimed at improving service to users within a company. Select one: True False
False
When using fact-finding techniques, asking what is being done is the same as asking what could or should be done. Select one: True False
False
When designing a questionnaire, arrange questions in a random order, intermixing simple and more complex topics. Select one: True False
False, arrange the questions in a logical order.
Although taking notes during an interview has both advantages and disadvantages, the accepted view is that note taking should be extensive. Select one: True False
False, note taking should be kept to a minimum.
It is easier to assign dollar values to intangible benefits. Select one: True False
False, tangible
Compared with traditional methods, the entire rapid application development (RAD) process is expanded and, as a result, the new system is built, delivered, and placed in operation much later. Select one: True False
False. It is compressed.
The personal interview usually is the SAD11-CH04-85 least expensive fact-finding technique. Select one: True False
False. It is the MOST expensive.
Joint application development (JAD) provides a fast-track approach to a full spectrum of system development tasks, including planning, design, construction, and implementation. Select one: True False
False; RAD Rapid application development
In a sequence diagram, SAD11-CH04-71 vertical arrows represent messages from one object to another. Select one: True False
False; horizontal
The ____________ named after a nineteenth-century economist, a widely used tool for visualizing issues that need attention and drawn as a vertical graph pareto gantt scatter XY
Pareto Chart
A list of topics should be sent to an interviewee several days before the meeting, especially when detailed information is needed, so the person can prepare for the interview and minimize the need for a follow-up meeting. Select one: True False
True
Because use cases depict a system through the eyes of a user, common business language can be used to describe the transactions. Select one: True False
True
Competition drives many information systems decisions. Select one: True False
True
Feasibility analysis is an ongoing task that must be performed throughout the systems development process. Select one: True False
True
Personal observation allows a systems analyst to verify statements made in interviews and determine whether procedures really operate as they are described. Select one: True False
True
System requirements fall into five general categories: outputs, inputs, processes, performance, and controls. Select one: True False
True
The main objective of a sample is to ensure that it represents the overall population accurately. Select one: True False
True
_____ planning is the process of identifying long-term organizational goals, strategies, and resources. Select one: a. Prospect b. Pilot c. Strategic d. Vertical
c. Strategic
_____ can help a systems analyst understand how the current system is supposed to work. Select one: a. Document review b. Brainstorming c. A systematic sample d. Productivity software
a. Document review
_____ technology uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to identify and monitor the movement of each individual product, from a factory floor to the retail checkout counter. Select one: a. EPC (Electronic product code) b. EPOD (Electronic proof of delivery) c. MCC (Magnetic character code) d. RTPD (Real-time product delivery)
a. EPC (Electronic product code)
Using _____, a supplier can use radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on each crate, case, or shipping unit to create a digital shipping list. Select one: a. EPOD (Electronic proof of delivery) b. PPOD (Physical proof of delivery) c. RPS (Radio positioning system) d. RDS (Radar detection system)
a. EPOD (Electronic proof of delivery)
_____ means that the projected benefits of a proposed system outweigh the estimated costs. Select one: a. Economic feasibility b. Schedule feasibility c. Operational feasibility d. Technical feasibility
a. Economic feasibility
_____ means that a proposed system will be used effectively after it has been developed. Select one: a. Operational feasibility b. Technical feasibility c. Schedule feasibility d. Economic feasibility
a. Operational feasibility
When designing a questionnaire, which of the following ideas should be kept in mind? Select one or more: a. Providing clear instructions that will answer all anticipated questions b. Arranging questions in a logical order c. Trying to lead the response or use questions that give clues to expected answers d. Phrasing all questions to avoid misunderstandings, and use simple terms and wording
a. Providing clear instructions that will answer all anticipated questions b. Arranging questions in a logical order d. Phrasing all questions to avoid misunderstandings, and use simple terms and wording
_____ are the benefits that can be measured in dollars. Select one: a. Tangible benefits b. Intangible benefits c. Ethical benefits d. Agile benefits
a. Tangible benefits
_____ result from a decrease in expenses, an increase in revenues, or both. Select one: a. Tangible benefits b. Intangible benefits c. Agile benefits d. Ethical benefits
a. Tangible benefits
_____ are external factors that shape corporate IT choices. Select one or more: a. Technology b. Competitors c. Managers d. Suppliers
a. Technology b. Competitors d. Suppliers
Jerry has inherited an Excel sheet that lists all of the system requirements for his team's new project. But unfortunately, his predecessor did not label the requirements with categories-or in some cases failed to categorize them correctly. He needs to take care of this so the requirements can be sorted correctly. Jerry knows that there were supposed to be three performance examples but he finds four in the spreadsheet. Which one of these is mislabeled as a performance example? a. The system must automatically generate an insurance claim form. b. Response time must not exceed four seconds. c. The online inventory control system must flag all low-stock items within one hour after the quantity falls below a predetermined minimum. d. The records system must produce key reports within five hours of the end of each fiscal quarter.
a. The system must automatically generate an insurance claim form.
Which of the following is a typical example of a system requirement for the control category? Select one: a. The customer analysis system must produce a quarterly report that identifies changes in ordering patterns. b. The system must maintain separate levels of security for users and the system administrator. c. The data entry screens must be uniform, except for background color, which can be changed by the user. d. The warehouse distribution system must analyze daily orders and create a routing pattern for delivery trucks.
b. The system must maintain separate levels of security for users and the system administrator.
_____ are internal factors that shape corporate IT choices. Select one or more: a. Technology b. User requests c. Strategic plan d. Company finances
b. User requests c. Strategic plan d. Company finances
Compared with traditional methods, when properly used, joint application development (JAD) can result in _____. Select one or more: a. less expense and greater manageability if the group is too large b. a more accurate statement of system requirements c. a better understanding of common goals d. a stronger commitment to the success of the new system
b. a more accurate statement of system requirements
In an interview, _____ limit or restrict the response. Select one: a. open-ended questions b. closed-ended questions c. leading questions d. range-of-response questions
b. closed-ended questions
A _____ is a requirement or condition that a system must satisfy or an outcome that a system must achieve. Select one: a. trigger b. constraint c. query d. key
b. constraint
A popular technique for investigating causes and effects is called a _____ diagram. Select one: a. causebone b. fishbone c. jawbone d. crossbone
b. fishbone
A _____ is an analysis tool that represents the possible causes of a problem as a graphical outline. Select one: a. causebone diagram b. fishbone diagram c. jawbone diagram d. crossbone diagram
b. fishbone diagram
When using a _____ to investigate the causes of a problem, an analyst first states the problem and then draws a main bone with sub-bones that represent possible causes of the problem. Select one: a. causebone diagram b. fishbone diagram c. jawbone diagram d. crossbone diagram
b. fishbone diagram
A common tool for showing the distribution of a questionnaire or sampling results is a vertical bar chart called a _____. Select one: a. flowchart b. histogram c. tree map d. streamgraph
b. histogram
Projects with very general scope definitions are at risk of expanding gradually, without specific authorization, in a process called _____. Select one: a. project dilation b. project creep c. project expansion d. project drift
b. project creep
Systems development typically starts with a _____. Select one: a. feasibility study, followed by a systems request, which includes a preliminary investigation b. systems request, followed by a preliminary investigation, which includes a feasibility study c. preliminary investigation, followed by a feasibility study, which includes a systems request d. feasibility study, followed by a preliminary investigation, which includes a systems request
b. systems request, followed by a preliminary investigation, which includes a feasibility study
Of the measures of feasibility, questions such as "Does the proposed platform have sufficient capacity for future needs?" and "Will the hardware and software environment be reliable?" should be considered while assessing _____. Select one: a. schedule feasibility b. technical feasibility c. economic feasibility d. ethical feasibility
b. technical feasibility
In addition to direct evaluations, systems developers must identify and document indirect expenses that contribute to the _____. Select one: a. business process modeling notation (BPMN) b. total cost of ownership (TCO) c. functional decomposition diagrams (FDD) d. Rapid Economic Justification (REJ)
b. total cost of ownership (TCO)
John has finished compiling a list of the various members of the joint application development (JAD) group and the list is as follows: John is the JAD project leader, Tom is the representative from top management, Jennifer is a manager, Alen and Ian are users, Linda and Alex are systems analysts, and Clark is the recorder. As John develops the agenda, he wants to put the name of the appropriate person next to the agenda item. Whose name would he put next to the final task on the agenda, the task of documenting the results of the JAD session and preparing the report that will be sent to JAD team members? Select one: a. Clark b. Tom c. Linda d. His own
d. His own
_____ usually focus on long-term challenges and goals, the importance of a firm's stakeholders, and a commitment to the firm's role as a corporate citizen. Select one: a. Performance assessments b. Relationship assessments c. Vision statements d. Mission statements
d. Mission statements
_____ limitations result when a system that was designed for a specific hardware configuration becomes obsolete when new hardware is introduced. Select one: a. Accessibility b. Relationship c. Feasibility d. Performance
d. Performance
Identify a typical example of a system requirement for the input category. Select one: a. As a final step in year-end processing, the payroll system must update employee salaries, bonuses, and benefits. b. Response time must not exceed four seconds. c. The system must provide logon security at the operating system level and at the application level. d. Student grades must be entered on machine-readable forms prepared by the instructor.
d. Student grades must be entered on machine-readable forms prepared by the instructor.
Hardware-based security controls include _____. Select one: a. password fields b. online forms c. system patterns d. biometric devices
d. biometric devices
In the rapid application development (RAD) model, the _____ phase resembles the final tasks in the SDLC implementation phase. Select one: a. requirements planning b. user design c. construction d. cutover
d. cutover
In a preliminary investigation report, the _____ section contains the results of the preliminary investigation, including a description of the project's scope, constraints, and feasibility. Select one: a. appendix b. introduction c. recommendations d. findings
d. findings
In an interview, _____ are questions that ask a person to evaluate something by providing limited answers to specific responses or on a numeric scale. Select one: a. open-ended questions b. factual questions c. leading questions d. range-of-response questions
d. range-of-response questions
The main reasons for systems requests are _____. Select one or more: a. improved services to customers b. reduced support for new products and services c. better performance d.reduced cost
d. reduced cost b. reduced support for new products and services c. better performance
When studying an information system, illustrations of actual documents should be collected using a process called _____. Select one: a. stratification b. randomization c. indexing d. sampling
d. sampling
Critical Thinking Questions Case 2-1 Lara, managing director of an information technology firm, has received a big project from one of their highly valuable clients. However, the project received is different from the usual projects they handle. Lara is involved in many other projects so she appoints a project manager for this project to ensure that the project is completed on time. This is an example of _____. Select one: a. operational feasibility b. economic feasibility c. technical feasibility d. schedule feasibility
d. schedule feasibility
A(n) _____ shows the timing of interactions between objects as they occur. Select one: a. timing diagram b. class diagram c. orientation diagram d. sequence diagram
d. sequence diagram
Project monitoring, an activity of a project manager, _____. a. consists of staffing, which includes selecting the project team and assigning specific tasks to team members b. includes identifying and arranging project tasks and estimating completion times and costs c. involves the creation of a specific timetable, usually in the form of charts that show tasks, task dependencies, and critical tasks that might delay a project d. requires guiding, supervising, and coordinating a project team's workload
d. requires guiding, supervising, and coordinating a project team's workload
