CSC 481 Final

A data flow diagram is a graphical tool that allows analysts to illustrate the flow of data in an information system. (T/F)

True.

A fork in a data flow means that exactly the same data go from a common location to two or more different processes, data stores, or sources/sinks. (T/F)

True.

A use case is a depiction of a system's behavior or functionality under various conditions as the system responds to requests from users. (T/F)

True.

During JAD, the group interaction process is typically not well supported by computing. (T/F)

True.

During project identification and selection, all possible systems development projects that an organizational unit can undertake are identified and assessed. (T/F)

True.

Requirements determination and requirements structuring are the two subphases to systems analysis. (T/F)

True.

The objective of project initiation and planning is to transform a vague system request document into a tangible project description. (T/F)

True.

The project manager is responsible for initiating, planning, executing, and closing down the project. (T/F)

True.

The systems identification and selection process for an Internet-based electronic commerce application is no different than the process followed for other applications. (T/F)

True.

To build the most effective information systems, an organization must clearly understand its mission, objectives, and strategy. (T/F)

True.

Using a discount rate of 10%, the present value of a $2,500 benefit received 5 years from now is $1,552.30. (T/F)

True.

Design is the second phase of the SDLC in which the current system is studied and alternative replacement systems are proposed. (T/F)

False

Flexibility refers to how long it takes the software package to respond to the user's requests in an interactive session. (T/F)

False

Summary use cases do not include ________.

functional requirements

The analysis and design of information systems is driven from a technical perspective. (T/F)

False

A JAD is an inexpensive, popular requirements determination technique.(T/F)

False.

Assuming anything is possible and eliminating the infeasible describes the reframing characteristic that a systems analyst should exhibit during the requirements determination phase. (T/F)

False.

Context diagrams have only one process labeled "P-1." (T/F)

False.

During the development of a preliminary schedule activity, you specify how various deliverables are produced and tested by you and your project team. (T/F)

False.

Postconditions are things that must be true before a use case can start. (T/F)

False.

Project planning is the first phase of the project management process in which activities are performed to assess the size, scope, and complexity of the project and to establish procedures to support later project activities. (T/F)

False.

Task identification structure refers to the process of dividing a project into manageable tasks and logically ordering them to ensure a smooth evolution between tasks. (T/F)

False.

Top-down planning is an ISP methodology which attempts to gain a specific understanding of the information system needs of a part of the organization. (T/F)

False.

Use cases written at the fish level focus on user goals. (T/F)

False.

When comparing alternative methods for making information systems identification and selection decisions, top management has the smallest project size and a cross-functional focus. (T/F)

False.

When constructing data flow diagrams, you should show the interactions that occur between sources and sinks. (T/F)

False.

Briefly identify several characteristics for a good systems analyst to have during requirements determination.

Five characteristics that will come in handy during the requirements determination stage are impertinence, impartiality, relax constraints, attention to details, and reframing. Impertinence questions everything. Impartiality describes your quest to find the best solution to a business problem or opportunity. Assuming anything is possible, and eliminating the infeasible defines the third characteristic, relax constraints. By making sure that every fact fits with every other fact, the analyst is paying attention to details. Since analysis is a creative process, the analyst should challenge himself to look at the organization in new ways. This characteristic is referred to as reframing.

________ and ________ techniques were developed to keep the analysis effort to a minimum yet still effective.

JAD and prototyping

Tangible benefits would include: A. improved organizational planning B. ability to investigate more alternatives C. improved asset control utilization D. lower transaction costs

lower transaction costs

What is RAD? Compare and contrast RAD to the traditional SDLC.

Rapid Application Development. Both are used in developing systems but RAD emphasizes smaller, quicker development in short bursts including prototyping

The analysis technique that uses a discount rate determined from the company's cost of capital to establish the present value of a project is commonly called: A. return on investment (ROI) B. break-even analysis (BEA) C. net present value (NPV) D. future value (FV)

net present value (NPV)

Hardware manufacturers, packaged software producers, custom software producers, enterprisewide solutions, application server providers, and in-house developers are sources of software. (T/F)

True

Describe the differences between tangible and intangible benefits and costs, and between one-time and recurring benefits and costs.

tangible our costs that can be easily measured and intangible are harder to figure the savings.

An association between two use cases where one use case uses the functionality contained in the other best describes: A. the external relationship B. the inclusive relationship C. the include relationship D. the extend relationship

the include relationship

A use case is initiated by a ________.

trigger

A knowledge engineer is the organizational role most responsible for the analysis and design of information systems. (T/F)

False

Briefly identify six sources of software.

1. IT Services Firm 2. Packaged Software Provider 3. Vendors of enterprise software solution 4. cloud computing 5. open-source 6. in-house development

For each reuse approach, briefly describe its process and policies.

1. ad hoc - individuals do as needed, informal 2. facilitated - some encouragement but not required 3. managed - reuse required, operation policies concerning its use 4. designed - reuse it mandatory, code must be designed for reuse

Define project planning. Identify ten project planning activities.

1. describe scope, alternatives, and feasibilty 2. dividing the project into manageable tasks 3. Estimating resources and creating a resource plan 4. developing a preliminary schedule 5. Developing a communication plan 6. determining project standards and procedures 7. Identifying and assessing risk 8. create a preliminary budget 9. Developing a project scope statement 10. setting baseline project plan

Assume the first condition has two values; the second condition has two values; the third condition has three values. How many rules will there be? A. 7 B. 12 C. 6 D. 11

12

What is a use case diagram? Identify the key symbols that appear on a use case diagram.

A use case diagram depicts the use cases and actors for a system. The primary components are actors and use cases. An actor is an external entity that interacts with the system. A use case is a complete sequence of related actions initiated by an actor.

________ is the software reuse step that involves the design of a reusable piece of software, starting from existing software assets or from scratch.

Abstraction

Reasons for outsourcing include: A. free up internal resources B. increases processing efficiencies C. reducing time to market D. All of these

All of these

Which of the following is a true statement about reusing software? A. Reuse should increase programmer productivity B. Reuse should decrease development time C. Reuse should result in higher-quality software D. All of these

All of these

Which of the following programming languages could be used for OOAD? A. Java B. C++ C. FORTRAN D. Both Java and C++

Both Java and C++

If your DFD contains data flows that do not lead anywhere, then your DFD violates the ________ guideline.

DFD completeness

What is meant by DFD completeness? What is meant by DFD consistency?

DFD completeness is the extent to which all necessary components of a data flow diagram have been included and fully described. DFD consistency is the extent to which information contained on one level of a set of nested data flow diagrams is also included on other levels.

________ integrate individual traditional business functions into a series of modules so that a single transaction occurs seamlessly within a single information system rather than several separate systems.

Enterprise resource planning systems

Briefly explain the process of managing an information systems project.

Initiate, plan, execute, and close down the project

Which of the following is an advantage of closed-ended questions? A. Interviews based on closed-ended questions do not necessarily require a large time commitment, so more topics can be covered. B. Closed-ended questions enable the analysts to explore information that does not quite fit defined answers. C. The analyst can obtain previously unknown information. D. Closed-ended questions often put the interviewee at ease.

Interviews based on closed-ended questions do not necessarily require a large time commitment, so more topics can be covered.

What is object-oriented analysis and design?

Object-oriented analysis and design (OOAD) is a popular technical approach for analyzing, designing an application, system, or business by applying the object-oriented paradigm and visual modeling throughout the development life cycles to foster better stakeholder communication and product quality.

Assume you are analyzing a golf course scheduling system. Identify two open-ended questions and two closed-ended questions you might ask.

Open-ended questions might include the following: What information is currently provided by the scheduling system? What information would you like to have that the current scheduling system does not provide? Closed-ended questions might ask the system users to rate a response to the following questions: Does the existing system provide tee-scheduling information in a timely manner? Is the existing system easy to use?

Using any business as an example, provide one example each for its organizational locations, units, functions, processes, and information systems.

Smart Software location - hq in pierre units? - located in vermilion functions - producing software proccess - hiring employee info system - payroll

Assume a proposed system has a useful life of 5 years, one-time costs of $50,000, recurring costs of $25,000 per year, and tangible benefits of $35,000 per year. If the cost of capital is 10%, what is the overall NPV? Overall ROI? Break-even point?

The overall NPV is ($12,092), and the overall ROI is negative. Based on the information given, this project will not break-even during its useful life.

Which of the following is true regarding Gantt chart construction? A. To construct the Gantt chart, a horizontal bar is drawn for each activity that reflects its sequence and duration. B. To show precedence relationships, arrows are used to connect actions. C. Arrows are used to reflect the sequence of activities. D. Squares are used to represent activities.

To construct the Gantt chart, a horizontal bar is drawn for each activity that reflects its sequence and duration.

Define top-down planning and bottom-up planning.

Top down planning starts at the organization then then progresses downwards, bottom-up starts at the need then progresses up the the organizational level. Bottom-up is faster/cheaper, top-down can help find problems with organization.

Which of the following is a way projects can be identified? A. bottom-up source B. upper-echelon source C. top-down source D. both bottom-up source and top down source

both bottom-up source and top down source

Which of the following describes the product differentiation strategy? A. competing in an industry on the basis of product quality B. competing in an industry on the basis of product quantity C. competing in an industry on the basis of product or service cost to the consumer D. capitalizing on a key product criteria requested by the market

capitalizing on a key product criteria requested by the market

In OOSAD, during a single iteration, multiple ________ can be completed.

components

Managing conflict within a project team to assure that conflict is not too high or too low best defines which of the following project manager activities: A. conflict management B. leadership C. team management D. problem solving

conflict management

Agile Methodologies are recommended for a project if it has responsible and motivated ________.

developers