CIS-330 Exam 2

Cost-benefit analysis is performed ____ to determine the economic feasibility of an information system project and to compare the alternative solutions.

*Throughout* the SDLC

Typically, companies choose in-house software development for all of the following reasons EXCEPT to ____

*obtain input* from other companies who already have implemented the software

____ means that the projected benefits of a proposed system outweigh the estimated costs.

Economic feasibility

Intangible costs are costs for which a specific dollar value can be assigned (T/F)

False

Payback analysis often is used to compare or rank projects because later benefits are noticed (T/F)

False

Return of investment analysis considers costs and benefits over a shorter time span that payback analysis (T/F)

False

When comparing the net present values of projects, all things being equal, the project with the lowest present value is the best investment. (T/F)

False

____ are especially important to a systems analyst who must work with people at all organizational levels, balance conflicting needs of users, and communicate effectively.

Interpersonal skills

Direct costs are costs that can be associated with the development of a specific system

True

Positive benefits increase revenues, improve services, or otherwise contribute to an organization as a direct result of a new information system. (T/F)

True

ROI (return on investment) measures the overall rate of return for a total period and annual return rates vary considerably (T/F)

True

When conducting a payback analysis, the time it takes for the accumulated benefits of an information system to equal the accumulated costs of developing and operating the system are calculated. (T/F)

True

Compared with traditional methods, when properly used, JAD can result in all of the following except ____. ( a. less expense and greater manageability if the group is too large b. more accurate statement of system requirements c. better understanding of common goals d. stronger commitment to the success of the new system)

a.

Much of the time a systems analyst spends talking with people is spent conducting ____, which is/are the most common fact-finding technique. a. interviews b. questionnaires c. Sampling d. research

a.

The selection structure is the completion of ____. a. one or more process steps based on the results of a test or condition b. steps in a chronological order c. a process step that is repeated until a specific condition changes d. a specific condition that is repeated until a process changes

a.

To evaluate ___, a systems analyst needs information about projected future volume for all outputs, inputs, and processes. a. scalability b. reliability c. compatibility d. applicability

a.

____ is based on combinations of the three logical structures, or control structures (one of which is shown in the accompanying figure), which serve as building blocks for the process. a. Modular design b. General design c. Global design d. Total design

a.

In a use case, an external entity is called a(n) ____.

actor

An object has certain ____.

attributes

Balancing ____. a. uses a series of increasingly detailed DFDs to describe an information system b. ensures that the input and output data flows of the parent DFD are maintained on the child DFD c. uses a series of increasingly sketchy DFDs to describe an information system d. ensures that the input and output data flows of the child DFD are maintained on the parent DFD

b.

Because diagram 0 is a more detailed or expanded version of process 0 on a context diagram, diagram 0 is called a(n) ____. a. contracted view b. exploded view c. condensed view d. extrapolated view

b.

Decision trees show the logic structure in a ____. a. *vertical* form that resembles a tree with the roots at the *bottom* and the branches to the *top* b. *horizontal* form that resembles a tree with the roots at the *left* and the branches to the *right* c. *vertical* form that resembles a tree with the roots at the *top* and the branches to the *bottom* d. *horizontal* form that resembles a tree with the roots at the *right* and the branches to the *left*

b.

In an interview, ___ limit or restrict the response a. open-ended questions b. closed-ended questions c. leading questions d. range-of-response questions

b.

In projects where it is desirable to obtain input from a large number of people, a(n) ____, can be a valuable tool a. interview b. questionnaire c. sample d. research report

b.

In the accompanying figure, the sequence structure is the completion of ____. a. one or more process steps based on the results of a test or condition b. steps in a chronological order, one after another c. a process step that is repeated until a specific condition changes d. a specific condition that is repeated until a process changes

b.

The primary advantages of RAD is that ___. a. the company's strategic business needs are emphasized b. Systems can be developed more quickly with significant cost savings c. all of the above

b.

The choice between developing versus purchasing software often is called a ____ decision.

build or buy

In data and process modeling, a(n) ____ model shows what the system must do, regardless of how it will be implemented physically. a. operational b. physical c. logical d. relational

c.

Supporters of neutral locations for interviews believe that it ____. 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. all of the above

c.

The iteration structure is the completion of ____. a. one or more process steps based on the results of a test or condition b. steps in a chronological order c. a process step that is repeated until a specific condition changes d. a specific condition that is repeated until a process changes

c.

Which of the following is not a path that development can follow

construct a legacy system

A gray hole process is a process that has ____. a. no input b. at least one output and one input, but the *output* obviously is insufficient to generate the output shown c. no output d. at least one input and one output, but the *input* obviously is insufficient to generate the output shown

d.

Buyers can customize a software package by ____. A. negotiating directly with the software vendor to make enhancements to meet the buyer's needs by paying for the changes B. purchasing a basic package that vendors will customize to suit the buyer's needs C. purchasing the software and making their own modifications, if this is permissible under the terms of the software license D. all of the above

d.

___ is a typical example of a system requirement for the input category.( a. as a final stem in year-end processing... b. response time must not exceed four seconds c. the system must provide log-on security... d. Student grades must be entered on machine-scannable forms prepared by the instructor)

d.

outsourcing can refer to ____ a. relatively minor programming tasks b. the rental of software from a service provider c. the handling of a company's entire IT function d. all of the above

d.

A use case ____ is a visual summary of several related use cases within a system or subsystem.

diagram

When determining outsourcing fees, a ___ uses a set fee based on a specified level of service and user support

fixed fee model

A(n) ____ defines specific tasks that an object can perform.

method

An object's ____ are the tasks or functions the object performs.

methods

A black hole process is a process that has ____.

no output

When preparing a representative sample from a list of 200 customers who complained about errors in their statements, a ____ might select any 20 customers.

random sample

Advantages of purchasing a software package over developing software in-house include all of the following EXCEPT ____.

satisfaction of unique business requirements

The software & Information Industry Association and many software industry leaders, including Microsoft, beleive that the concept of ____ is redefining that way that companies develop and deploy their information systems

software as a service

When determining outsourcing fees, a ____ has a variable fee based on the number of users or workstations that have access to the application

subscription model

Prototyping, like that illustrated in the accompanying figure, includes all of the following benefits EXCEPT ____.

system requirements, such as reliability and maintainability, can be rated adequately