Chapter 20

A planning horizon of at least ________ years is common for any master plan; however, the plan should be updated at least ________ each year. a. 3; two times b. 5; two times c. 3; four times d. 5; four times

a. 3; two times

Which planning technique does not show the relationships among various activities? a. Gantt chart b. the critical path method c. VAN d. PERT

a. Gantt chart

Which of the following about planning for systems development is false? a. Project plans are developed for each new system and each system modification. Then, these project plans are combined together to form the master plan. b. The master plan includes details about organizational goals, existing systems and resources, projects being conducted, and predictions of future needs and requirements. c. A project development plan includes an economic feasibility analysis and a schedule of activities. d. The master plan identifies system goals who will develop the system, and the resources that will be needed.

a. Project plans are developed for each new system and each system modification. Then, these project plans are combined together to form the master plan.

A network of arrows and nodes representing project activities that require an expenditure of time and resources and the completion of initiation of activities, respectively, is called a. a PERT diagram. b. CASE. c. a SDLC cycle. d. a Gantt chart.

a. a PERT diagram.

A company that invests in a system in the hopes of improving product or service quality is attempting to use their information system to gain a. a competitive advantage. b. productivity gains. c. improved business processes. d. better systems integration.

a. a competitive advantage.

When is a proposal to conduct a systems analysis prepared? a. after the initial investigation of the project is approved b. after the development team completes the survey of the existing AIS c. after a written request for systems development is prepared d. before the initial investigation

a. after the initial investigation of the project is approved

An information system used by an furniture maker took 48 hours to process an order received over the internet. After upgrading the system, processing time was reduced to sixty seconds. This is an example of a. an improved business process. b. growth. c. a competitive advantage. d. a technological change.

a. an improved business process.

When would a company go through a systems development life cycle? a. anytime changes are needed b. only when major changes are needed c. only when minor changes are needed d. Usually a company only goes through one complete systems development life cycle, after which the only phase that is repeated is the operations and maintenance phase.

a. anytime changes are needed

When seeking to find answers to question pertaining to "why," the most useful approach is to a. conduct interviews. b. read system documentation. c. make observations. d. distribute questionnaires.

a. conduct interviews.

Which of the following aspect of a feasibility study is concerned with meeting external reporting requirements? a. legal feasibility b. operational feasibility c. scheduling feasibility d. technical feasibility

a. legal feasibility

PERT is an acronym that stands for a. program evaluation and review technique. b. preliminary expenditures and revision template. c. process effort and resource table. d. performance effectiveness and refinement target.

a. program evaluation and review technique.

The ________ is the basic building block of information systems planning. a. project development plan b. systems analysis plan c. implementation plan d. master plan

a. project development plan

Who should communicate frequently with users and hold regular meetings to consider ideas and discuss progress so there are no surprises upon project completion? a. project development team b. information systems steering committee c. management d. accountants

a. project development team

The task of improving the efficiency of Crawford Insurance's accounting information system was given to a project development team. During the ________ step in the systems development life cycle, the team determined that implementing a new system will yield an internal rate of return of approximately 16.0%. a. systems analysis b. implementation and conversion c. conceptual design d. operations and maintenance

a. systems analysis

In which tool is a prioritized list of projects contained? a. the master plan b. implementation plan c. project development plan d. all of the above

a. the master plan

Who prepares a systems analysis report? a. the project development team b. computer analysts c. the steering committee d. management

a. the project development team

The system objective concerned that crucial information be produced first, and then less important items as time permits, is known as a. timeliness. b. flexibility. c. reliability. d. usefulness.

a. timeliness.

Identify the statement below that is not a major reason companies change their information systems. a. to take advantage of tax benefits b. in response to changes in user needs c. to gain a competitive advantage d. in response to technological changes

a. to take advantage of tax benefits

Which method of data gathering is most likely to result in information that represents the personal biases and opinions of the person giving the information? a. a questionnaire b. an interview c. observation by the analyst d. system documentation

b. an interview

It is most difficult to quantify ________ when assessing economic feasibility. a. the payback period b. benefits c. costs d. costs, benefits, and the payback period

b. benefits

A prototype a. is making an internal and external review of the system to be analyzed, noting that users may not use the existing AIS as intended. b. can be used to help users identify and communicate their system needs. c. is typically created during the physical design phase of systems development. d. is expensive to create and is therefore only created once user needs are well-defined.

b. can be used to help users identify and communicate their system needs.

According to the risk-based auditing approach, when a control deficiency is identified, the auditor should inquire about. a. tests of controls. b. compensating controls. c. the feasibility of a systems review. d. materiality and inherent risk factors

b. compensating controls.

One disadvantage of a Gantt chart is the fact that a. it does not show project progress. b. it does not show relationships among project activities. c. it does not show the entire schedule for a project. d. it does not permit an individual to quickly determine which activities are behind schedule.

b. it does not show relationships among project activities.

Which of the following aspect of a feasibility study is concerned with human resources? a. scheduling feasibility b. operational feasibility c. technical feasibility d. legal feasibility

b. operational feasibility

The task of improving the efficiency of Crawford Insurance's accounting information system was given to a project development team. During the ________ step in the systems development life cycle, the team defined the procedures needed to back up and secure the new system's data. a. conceptual design b. physical design c. operations and maintenance d. implementation and conversion

b. physical design

The system performance evaluation approach that evaluates systems based on the weighted score of criteria and points totaled is called a. requirements costing. b. point scoring. c. benchmark problem. d. prototyping.

b. point scoring.

Shortly after a new automated quality assurance system was deployed, a firm's production output dropped by five percent. The shift manager blamed the new system, declaring that "after we laid off staff, nothing went as fast." This is an example of dealing with change by a. deterrence b. projection c. avoidance d. aggression

b. projection

The audit committee of the board of directors a. is usually chaired by the CFO. b. provides a check and balance on management. c. conducts testing of controls on behalf of the external auditors. d. does all of the above.

b. provides a check and balance on management.

Companies usually accept the project with the ________ when using the payback method to determine a project's economic feasibility. a. weighted average payback period b. shortest payback period c. longest payback period d. payback period that is equal to the project's economic life

b. shortest payback period

Which of the following deductions is not classified as a voluntary deduction? a. insurance premiums b. social security withholdings c. deductions for a charity organization d. pension plan contributions

b. social security withholdings

Who is responsible for preparing the specifications used to create or revise system programs? a. accountants b. systems analysts c. management d. system programmer

b. systems analysts

In which systems analysis step do analysts conduct an extensive study of the present system to gain a thorough understanding of how it works? a. information needs and requirements b. systems survey c. feasibility study d. systems analysis report

b. systems survey

Modeling of the existing system occurs during the ____ phase of systems analysis. a. initial investigation b. systems survey c. feasibility study d. information needs and system requirements

b. systems survey

Modeling of the existing system occurs during the ________ phase of systems analysis. a. initial investigation b. systems survey c. feasibility study d. information needs and system requirements

b. systems survey

Pay rate information is stored in a. employee subsidiary ledgers. b. the payroll master file. c. employees' personnel files. d. electronic time cards.

b. the payroll master file.

What report serves as a repository of data from which systems designers can draw information? a. the systems survey report b. the systems analysis report c. the executive steering committee report d. the initial investigation report

b. the systems analysis report

________ is a form of user resistance where data are erroneously entered into a system. a. Acceptance b. Aggravation c. Aggression d. Avoidance

c. Aggression

What role does the information systems steering committee play in the systems development process? a. It designs system controls and periodically monitors the system to verify the controls are implemented and functioning properly. b. It guides project development. c. It is an executive-level group established to plan and oversee the information systems function. d. None of the descriptions above are appropriate.

c. It is an executive-level group established to plan and oversee the information systems function.

Identify the statement below that best describes a Gantt Chart. a. a pie chart with the size of estimated expenditures represented as slices b. a scatterplot diagram with activities on the Y access and dots representing the potential expenditures of each activity. c. a bar chart with project activities on the left hand side and units of time across the top d. a network of arrows and nodes representing project activities

c. a bar chart with project activities on the left hand side and units of time across the top

What are the best strategies for determining system requirements? a. ask users what they need, analyze existing systems, examine existing system utilization, and develop concept of new system b. analyze existing systems, ask users what they need, prototyping, and monitoring c. ask users what they need, analyze existing systems, examine existing system utilization, and prototyping d. ask users what they need, analyze existing systems, develop concept of new system, and prototyping

c. ask users what they need, analyze existing systems, examine existing system utilization, and prototyping

Three months after Modern Helpdesks Incorporated began accepting e-mail service requests, several service advisors had never checked their email accounts. This is an example of dealing with change by a. deterrence. b. projection. c. avoidance. d. aggression.

c. avoidance.

All of the following are benefits of planning and managing systems development except a. aids in keeping the organization abreast of technological change. b. ensuring systems are consistent with organizational goals. c. guaranteeing that employees use the system. d. controlling costs.

c. guaranteeing that employees use the system.

The task of improving the efficiency of Crawford Insurance's accounting information system was given to a project development team. During the ________ step in the systems development life cycle, the team initiated an end user training program to prepare employees to switch to the new system. a. operations and maintenance b. systems analysis c. implementation and conversion d. physical design

c. implementation and conversion

The question of what the project should and should not accomplish is determined in what step of systems analysis? a. systems survey b. feasibility study c. initial investigation d. systems analysis report

c. initial investigation

The ________ method of gathering information helps to determine how a system actually works. a. interview b. questionnaire c. observation d. system documentation

c. observation

In which phase of the systems development life cycle are the broad needs of the users converted into detailed specifics that are coded and tested? a. systems analysis b. conceptual design c. physical design d. implementation and conversion

c. physical design

Who is responsible for planning and monitoring a project to ensure timely and cost-effective completion? a. information systems steering committee b. accountants c. project development team d. management

c. project development team

A feasibility study should first be performed in the ________ stage of the systems development life cycle. a. physical design b. conceptual design c. system analysis d. implementation and conversion

c. system analysis

Who is responsible for ensuring that the new system will meet the needs of users? a. system programmers b. the project development team c. system analysts d. accountants

c. system analysts

The ________ method of gathering information helps to determine how a system should work. a. interview b. questionnaire c. system documentation d. observation

c. system documentation

_________ requires that all activities and the precedent and subsequent relationships among them be identified. a. A SDLC cycle b. A Gantt chart c. A CASE diagram d. A PERT diagram

d. A PERT diagram

Which of the following activities is performed during the systems development life cycle? a. managing the behavioral reactions to change b. assessing the ongoing feasibility of the project c. planning d. All of the above activities are performed during the life cycle.

d. All of the above activities are performed during the life cycle.

________ is a form of resistance when users continue to use a manual process instead of adopting a new information system. a. Acceptance b. Aggression c. Aggravation d. Avoidance

d. Avoidance

On October 15, 2013, a newly installed robotic vacuuming system stopped working. A service technician was called to repair the robots. The technician found that water had been placed into the robot's path, causing it to malfunction. This is an example of dealing with change by a. deterrence. b. projection. c. avoidance. d. aggression

d. aggression

An effective project development team consists of a. accountants. b. systems analysts. c. users. d. all of the above

d. all of the above

The ________ step of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) identifies and evaluates design alternatives and to develop design specifications. a. systems analysis. b. physical design. c. implementation and conversion. d. conceptual design.

d. conceptual design.

Significant system changes were implemented two months ago. The changes were well-planned, well-designed, thoroughly tested before and after conversion, and several employee training sessions were conducted. Still, the changes haven't resulted in any productivity increases, cost savings, or process improvements. Management is puzzled and needs to find out why the system isn't successful. The best action for management to take is a. advise employees that consultants will be conducting observation sessions over the next two weeks to determine if employees have fully implemented changes and whether there is any evidence of resistance to the changes. b. e-mail a series of questions to all employees, asking for input about further changes that would bring about the desired results. c. make sure the system changes were well documented and review the documentation to see if perhaps some important feature or process was overlooked during the design phase. d. conduct face-to-face interviews with managers, key personnel, and randomly selected employees from each functional area impacted by the system changes in an attempt to discover why the changes aren't effective.

d. conduct face-to-face interviews with managers, key personnel, and randomly selected employees from each functional area impacted by the system changes in an attempt to discover why the changes aren't effective.

In a program flowchart, branching to alternative paths is represented by a. a terminal. b. data/information flow. c. computer operation. d. decision diamond

d. decision diamond

Which of the following is the most important and frequently analyzed aspect of a feasibility study? a. legal feasibility b. operational feasibility c. technical feasibility d. economic feasibility

d. economic feasibility

The purpose of systems analysis is to a. determine design specifications for the new (or redesigned) system. b. discover any violations of policies established by the information systems steering committee. c. communicate information needs to consider during business process reengineering. d. identify the problem to be solved by the new (or redesigned) system and the causes of the problem in the current system.

d. identify the problem to be solved by the new (or redesigned) system and the causes of the problem in the current system.

A Logical model used to gather information about an existing system a. comes only after a physical model of the existing system is created. b. illustrates how a system functions by describing the flow of documents and computer processes. c. describes how a system actually works, rather than how it should work. d. illustrates what is being done, regardless of how that flow is actually accomplished.

d. illustrates what is being done, regardless of how that flow is actually accomplished.

All of the elements of the system come together in which step of the systems development life cycle? a. systems analysis b. conceptual design c. physical design d. implementation and conversion

d. implementation and conversion

In order to reduce resistance resulting from uncertainty, what guideline should be implemented and followed during the systems development process? a. attempt to meet the users' needs b. keep the system simple c. avoid emotionalism d. keep communication lines open

d. keep communication lines open

A consideration of whether an organization's employees will use a new or revised system represents the ________ aspect of a feasibility study. a. economic feasibility b. scheduling feasibility c. technical feasibility d. operational feasibility

d. operational feasibility

The task of improving the efficiency of Crawford Insurance's accounting information system was given to a project development team. During the ________ step in the systems development life cycle, the team determined that the project's objectives can be best accomplished by upgrading the existing system. a. conceptual design b. implementation and conversion c. systems analysis d. physical design

d. physical design

Identify the form of user resistance that occurs when the new system is blamed for any unpleasant occurrence. a. proclivity b. passive-aggression c. procrastination d. projection

d. projection

Who is responsible for maintaining existing computer programs? a. systems analysts b. management c. accountants d. system programmers

d. system programmers

Fairfax Corporation uses two systems for revenue cycle transaction processing. One system keeps track of customer sales. The other system keeps track of accounts receivable. Last year, Fairfax Corporation decided to merge the two systems into one so that both functions could be performed in the same system. This is an example of a. productivity gains. b. technological innovation. c. competitive advantage. d. systems integration.

d. systems integration.

Estimating benefits and expenditures to determine whether a proposed system would be beneficial is known as a. the "best guess" model of benefit analysis. b. the "value added" benefit model. c. the estimated benefits model. d. the capital budgeting model.

d. the capital budgeting model.

During _____ of systems analysis, an examination is made of each development activity to define the problem to be solved. a. the feasibility study b. the systems survey c. information needs and systems requirements d. the initial investigation

d. the initial investigation

Estimating future cash flows and discounting them back to the present is part of which capital budgeting technique? a. the internal rate of return b. the future value method c. the payback method d. the net present value method

d. the net present value method