ISA 387

Kumar is the project manager for a revised TTP system. Which of the following most likely would NOT be considered in developing a work plan?

The organizational readiness for the project

You might have to go back and adjust the steps in a use case, if __________.

The steps are of varying size

The line between analysis and design is sometimes very blurry. One reason is that _______:

the deliverables are really the first step in the design of the new system

Data cannot go from one process to another process without going to a data store first

False

Data flow diagrams (as the name implies) focus on the physical data in a system

False

Data that is moving from a process to another process is called a "data stream".

False

Determining business requirements is generally done in the planning phase of the SDLC.

False

ERDs and DFDs are two techniques for process modeling.

False

Generally "system requirements" are developed in the analysis phase and evolve to more technical "business requirements" in the design phase.

False

Which of the following would BEST describe "system reliability"?

The aspect of how accurate the system must be (such as medical equipment or for games)

Entities are a person, place, or thing.

True

Entities are further designed with attributes

True

Every process has a unique identification number, a name, and a description

True

Every process on a DFD must have at least one input data flow.

True

Extreme Programming (XP) stresses customer satisfaction and teamwork.

True

Generally beginning analysts should avoid unstructured interviews and likewise should avoid "winging it".

True

Ralph wants to illustrate how a system interacts with the environment. The best solution for him would be to use a _________:

Use case

Which is NOT true of use cases?

Use cases normally contain ten to twelve major steps

A(n) ________ entity cannot exist without the presence of another entity and is normally on the "many" end of a relationship or has an identifier that is based on another entity's attribute.

Dependent

According to the authors "Process modeling" and the creating of PMPs in particular is one of the most important skills needed by systems analysts.

False

Agile Development stresses analysis, modeling and documentation over programming.

False

An illustration of the tranformation of data into business value is an ERD.

False

Because of the need to be focused on providing information about the business value of a system, a systems analyst will probably have much training or experience in programming or application development.

False

CASE tools have "data repositories".

False

Which is NOT an attribute of a systems analyst?

Selecting which projects to approve

Extreme programming emphasizes:

Simplicity as a core value Customer satisfaction Communication as a core value Teamwork

When normalizing data models, if you take attributes that have multiple values for a single instance of an entity and create separate entities for those attributes you are moving from:

0 normal form to 1st normal form (1NF)

Jack is developing an ERD for a small dental practice office patient record system. The dental practice has three dentists, six hygienists, and many patients. A patient is always assigned to the same dentist for all appointments in particular, he is working on the relationship between dentists and patients. Should it be:

1 to many with a modality of not null

On your level 0 diagram you have a process #2 and when you create a level 1 diagram for process #2, you might have processes like:

2.1, 2.2, 2.3

A payroll data flow diagram has a data-store called Accumulated Salary Data. At one stage in the DFD, a process "Calculate YTD-Taxes" gets data from that data store, updates it in the process, and writes it back out. The diagram should show:

A line out of the data store labeled: Current YTD Payroll Details; and a line into the data store labeled: Updated YTD Payroll Details

Arianna is an analyst studying credit card fraud. She is working on developing a use case for when a stolen credit card is used. The trigger would be:

Alarm is activated for stolen credit card use

One of the major differences between a JAD session and an interview is:

All JAD sessions are structured and must be carefully planned

Data (like Year-to-date totals) that come from a data store and are used in a process (like "Calculate YTD Totals") and then the updated amounts are written back to the data store / can be drawn on a DFD model as a two-headed arrow.

False

Austin is a systems analyst. Which of the following people might be the most valuable to him in developing a use case for an accounts payable system upgrade?

Amy, a team manager in the accounts payable department.

Kailie is creating use cases, data flow diagrams and entity relationship diagrams. In what phase of the SDLC would she do this?

Analysis

Jack is going over financial numbers for a proposed project. Which of the following system analyst skills is he exhibiting currently?

Analytical

As a last step in building a use case for the study-abroad registration system, Brianna will:

Ask Wendy in the registrar's office to confirm the use case

A data model can ____________:

Be used as a logical data model in analysis and as a physical data model in design

Which of the following project roles would analyze the key business aspects of the system?

Business Analyst

Jona's project is to take a fairly straight-forward manual process and make it an electronic process. This will make the processing more efficient. Which of the following requirements analysis strategies is she using?

Business Process Automation

Which would likely be an entity on a car insure ERD?

Car

When an analyst is looking for specific, precise information they would probably choose this type of question:

Close ended

Role playing the use case with actual users is a good way to:

Confirm the use case

Andrei has a diagram that shows only one process and external entities. He is developing a:

Context Diagram

Which Data Flow Diagram shows the entire system with its environment with only one process?

Context Diagram

Which Data Flow Diagram does not have data stores?

Context diagram

In creating ERD's, which would most likely NOT be a source for entities?

Cost / benefit reports

Which is NOT a purpose of the requirements definition?

Create cost/benefit analysis

Which of the following is not a project characteristic that will affect the methodology selection decision?

Creating a cost/benefit spreadsheet

Amy has created a context diagram. What one DFD component is probably not shown?

Data store

A process model can ________:

Document both the as-is and the to-be system

A black hole error on a DFD is when a process creates output without an input

False

A classic planning mistake mentioned in the textbook is motivating employees with financial rewards instead of recognition and genuine thanks.

False

A trigger is based on cost/benefit analysis, like an employee labor report, a sale of an item, or the purchase of new hardware.

False

If you had a project with very clear requirements; familiar technologies; not super complex; reliable; a very long time schedule and where the need for schedule visibility is low "the best methodology" might be Extreme programming.

False

In terms of reaching the most number of people in requirements gathering, interviews are considered better than questionnaires.

False

Iterations are not used in good DFD design.

False

Juan is creating use cases. He is working in the design phase of the SDLC.

False

Marta wants to focus on "why" a particular lockout situation occurs on a customer relationship management system, rather than just developing a work-around-fix. She is doing activity elimination.

False

One person dominating the group discussion of a JAD session will normally lead to a positive outcome?

False

PMP is People Management Project the three components of successful project management.

False

Process models are only used to document the current system (that is, the "as-is" system), since that is the system the users know and the system that will be modified.

False

Projects can be classified by: size, cost, purpose, length, programming language and hardware platform.

False

Relationships are drawn with lines showing cardinality and plurality.

False

Relationships are some type of information that is captured about entities

False

The SDLC moves from the current system (often called the "past system") to the new system (often called the "future system:)

False

The document that describes the business reasons for building a system and the value that the system is expected to provide is called the System Proposal.

False

The final step in Building Use Cases is to use a CASE analysis tool to verify that the inputs and outputs are discrete items triggered by external events

False

The level 0 diagram shows all the major processes (at the first level of numbering like 1 through 4), the data stores, data flows, but does not show external entities.

False

The planning phase of the SDLC will have 2 steps: project initiation and requirements determinations.

False

The requirements-gathering process is used for building financial support for the project and establishing common understanding of technologies and rapport between the project team building the system and the users of the system.

False

Unless ordered by the lead analyst for a project, you should not share your interview report with those that you interviewed. Doing so will almost always result in scope creep and changes in the requirements.

False

Use cases are a type of "data-driven modeling".

False

Use cases generally have up to 20 major steps spelled out in great detail.

False

Using industry standards, the general estimated project time for the implementation phase is 15%

False

When compared to a business analyst, the systems analyst will identify how the system will provide business value.

False

If the logical data model does not contain attributes that have repeating values it is in ________.

First Normal Form

Ruth is an analyst. On her DFD diagram she has just placed a process. She will

Give it a verb phrase name, like "search inventory"

The Major Steps Performed section on a use case will give the ________.

Information for each step

Linda is a clerk in the accounting department. She was interviewed by David and is excited about the proposed system that will utilize electronic funds transfer. This would be an example of _____.

Intangible benefit

Rocky is dealing one-on-one with users and business managers (including some that have little experience with technology). He is demonstrating what system analyst skill?

Interpersonal

Which of the following might result in version 1; version 2 (etc) of a system?

Iterative Development

A Major Inputs section of a use case describes their:

Source

The Major Inputs section on a use case will give the _______.

Sources of that input

Destination would be described on a use case in which of the following areas?

Major outputs

Information in the data dictionary is called: ___________

Metadata

If the skills required by a project cannot be met by the available project team, which would probably NOT be a reasonable solution?

Modify the project to use skills inherent on the project team.

Which is a true statement about IT projects?

Most IS departments face a demand for IT projects that far exceed the ability to do them.

Robert is doing an economic analysis using today's dollar values. He is doing:

Net present value analysis

A technique where the analyst watches how people perform their activies is _______.

Observation

Which of the following is NOT a classic planning mistake?

Omitting key requirements

You have entities of ITEM, SOLD-ITEM, SALE and PAYMENT. Which most likely is NOT a relationship?

PAYMENT pays for ITEM

What is probably NOT a part of a Use Case?

Statement of business value

Practical tips states that interpersonal skills are important, they include:

Paying attention Ability to summarize key points Be happy Being hoenst

Alice is calculating whether a system will lower costs or increase revenues. What SDLC phase is she in?

Planning

Rafael, Fraud Unit Manager, has just received an interview report from Stefano, a systems analyst. Rafael was interviewed by Stefano, and was asked to make corrections and clarifications to the interview report. In what interview phase would this occur?

Post-interview follow-up

Tom is trying to change his Use Case into a Data Flow Diagram. He has found that a use case step generally is the same as a ________ on the Level 1 Data flow diagram.

Process

Another outcome of the planning phase is the:

Project Plan

Blaine is using a requirements gathering technique that begins with non-threatening questions, avoids abbreviations, groups items into logically coherent sections, and might best be used with outside uses. He probably is using:

Questionnaires

A technique where a set of written (or online) questions are distributed to people to people (frequently to a large number of people) is: ______.

Questionnaires/surveys

Lines on an ERD diagram indicate:

Relationships among the data

Which of the following project roles would focus on stakeholder requirements?

Requirements analyst

Bob is selecting a systems analysis and design methodology. What might be the first step?

Researching the organizations standards and policies for "approved" methodologies

Ramya is preparing an economic feasibility study. She has a calculation where she takes total benefits minus total costs and divides that answer by the total costs. She is calculating:

Return on investment

Agile development is a group of programming centric methodologies that focus on:

Streamlining the SDLC

According to the authors, in moving from here to there, an analyst needs:

Strong critical thinking skills

The outcome of the planning phase is the:

System request document

Which of the following project roles would identify how technology can improve business processes?

Systems Analyst

The V-model pays more explicit attention to ________:

Testing

In the interview report, what will probably NOT be included?

The actual questions that were asked as a permanent record

Which of the following methodologies might be most appropriate if you have a system project with: unclear user requirements; unfamiliar technologies; somewhat complex; needs to be reliable; time is not an issue and the schedule visibility is somewhat important?

Throwaway Prototyping

Garrett has been told by management that his project MUST be completed on time. His best estimates are more than two weeks after the absolute deadline. Which technique could he use to get a functional system on time?

Timeboxing

A repository for data in DFDs is called a "data store".

True

A textbook-provided example of a "full service CASE" tool is Visible Analyst.

True

A use case depicts a set of activities performed to produce some output result

True

A well-constructed use case makes developing a data flow diagram fairly straightforward.

True

An analyst can read an ERD to discover the individual pieces of information in a system and how they are organized and related to each other.

True

An entity is the basic building block for a data model.

True

Cindi Flores distributed white-papers on RFID, ERP, GPS and SOA to a use-management group. She then asked them to think outside the box on where these technologies could be used in the company. This would be an example of technology analysis.

True

Context diagrams show the entire system in context with the environment (like external entities).

True

Data Flow diagramming is a tool for doing process modeling.

True

Data modeling is an iterative process.

True

Developing navigation methods, database and file specifications and what architecture to use would occur in the design phase of the SDLC

True

Dr. O'Brien's dental office calls a patient three days before an appointment. This cold be an example of a temporal trigger.

True

ERDs can be quite complex and might have hundreds or thousands of entities.

True

Each use case contains a fairly complete description of all the activities that occur in response to a trigger event.

True

In interviews, Ross has learned that the new order entry system must be available in at least three formats (mobile, web browser, and local area network based); that it must function in either English or Spanish; and that the system must return order forms and data in less than 2 seconds. He recognizes these as nonfunctional requirements.

True

Jorge, Vice President of Operations, has requested that the updated supply chain system keep a record of all "stock-outs" for six years. This is an example of a function requirement.

True

Management of requirements and system scope is one of the hardest parts of managing a project.

True

Numerous studies report that projects involving information technology experience failure rates from 30%-70%.

True

One important principal in process modeling with DFD's is the decomposition of the business processes into a series of DFDs.

True

One of the most commonly used techniques for data modeling is ERD's

True

Online loan companies (like LendingTree) attempt to return quotes for loans within an hour. With more traditional banks, getting a quote on a loan may take weeks to a month. Two techniques that were probably carefully analyzed in creating online loan quotation systems would be duration analysis and activity elimination.

True

Rebecca, a fairly new employee in the company and Matt, her boss (who has been with the company for 22 years) are in your JAD session. It would probably be expected that Rebecca would not share much in the session.

True

Scope creep is when new requirements are added to the project after the original project scope was defined and "frozen".

True

Scrum, XP and Dynamic systems development method (DSDM) are all classified as "agile development" concepts.

True

Some people have suggested that the "analysis" phase could be clearer if it was called the "analysis and initial design" phase.

True

Systems that are not cancelled or abandoned are frequently delivered to the users significantly late or costing more than expected.

True

The Champion supports the project with resources and political clout.

True

The business analyst role focuses on the business issues surrounding the system.

True

The corporate IT department carefully needs to prioritize, select and manage a portfolio of projects.

True

The iterative approach of the RAD methodology breaks the overall project into a series of release versions.

True

The most commonly used requirements gathering technique is the interview...

True

The most important purpose of the requirements definition is to define the scope of the system.

True

The normal sequence of SDLC phase outputs (from beginning to end) would be: System Request; System Proposal; System Specifications; and Installed System.

True

The primary goal of a system is to create value for the organization.

True

The project methodology that takes the longest to complete is the Waterfall Development Methodology

True

The requirements analyst role includes complete and accurate determination of what the system requirements consist of for all stakeholders.

True

The second law of conservation of data states: "Processes cannot consume or create data".

True

The three steps in creating an ERD are: (1) identity the entities; (2) identify the attributes; (3) identify the relationships

True

Use Cases give more detail about requirements.

True

Use cases are a type of event-driven modeling.

True

Use cases can vary from one organization to another in terms of the content included?

True

Use cases can vary from one organization to another in terms of the degree of formality employed?

True

Use cases illustrate the activities that are performed by the users of the system.

True

Use cases will have inputs and outputs

True

User frustration with a proposed system would fall under intangible costs.

True

Using industry standards, the general estimated project time for the implementation phase is 30%.

True

Your company updated its processes for financial reporting when Sarbanes-Oxley became law. Additional changes in Sarbanes-Oxley reporting have been mandated to start in one year. To help you understand the as-dis system, you should review the documentation, processes and procedures that were developed with the initial Sarbanes-Oxley project.

True

A use case helps:

Understand system activities and requirements

Data flow diagrams are:

Usually created by the project team and reviewed by users for correctness

Which of the following methodologies is the historic standard, but is used less today because it takes the longest to complete all the SDLC steps?

Waterfall

Which of the following methodologies might be most appropriate if you have a system project with: clear requirements; very familiar technologies; not all that complex; reasonably reliable; a very long time schedule and the schedule visibility is not important?

Waterfall

Modality refers to:

Whether a child entity can exist with or without a related instance in the parent entity

Interpersonal skills for a project manager might be important when:

Working with a highly controversial project that may have political implications

Extreme Programming (XP) is BEST characterized as:

a method for stressing customer satisfaction

An external entity is:

a person, organization or system outside of the system

After working with Christ (who is a staff member in the registrar's office) on major steps in the registration process, Maureen (a systems analyst) will:

create use cases

The first step to building an Entity Relationship Diagram is to _______

identity the entities

An entity:

is a person, place or thing

When the analyst is evaluating a data model to ensure that all fields in a record depend fully on the entire primary key, which step of normalization is being performed?

second normal form