COMM226 -CH11

Describe the responsibilities of a system analyst, a computer technician, and a network administrator.

A system analyst works with users to determine system requirements, designs and develops job descriptions and procedures, and helps determine system test plans. A computer technician installs software and repairs computer equipment and networks. A network administrator monitors, maintains, fixes, and tunes computer networks.

What is the typical structure of an organization's IT department?

A typical IT department consists of four groupsa technology office that investigates new information systems technologies and determines how an organization can benefit from them; an operations group that manages the computing infrastructure, including individual computers, computer centers, networks, and communications media; a development group that manages the process of creating new information systems as well as maintaining existing information systems; and an outsourcing relations group in organizations that have negotiated outsourcing agreements with other companies to provide equipment, applications, or other services. The data administration staff function protects data and information assets by establishing data standards and data management practices and policies. However, there are many variations in the structure of the IT department. In larger organizations, the operations group may itself consist of several different departments. Sometimes, there is a separate group for data warehousing and data marts

Compare the role of the chief information officer (CIO) and the role of the chief technology officer (CTO).

Chief information officer (CIO) is generally the title of the principal manager of an organization's IT department. Like other senior executives, the CIO reports to the chief executive officer, although sometimes these executives report to the chief operating officer, who in turn reports to the CEO. In some companies, the CIO reports to the chief financial officer. The CIO has the responsibility of managing the IT department, communicating with executive staff on IT- and IS-related matters. The CIO is also a member of the executive group. The chief technology officer (CTO) often heads the technology group within the IT department. The CTO sorts through new ideas and products to identify those that are most relevant to the organization. The CTO's job requires deep knowledge of information technology and the ability to envision how new IT will affect the organization over time. The CTO's responsibility is to advise the CIO, executive group, and project managers on emerging technologies.

Explain the IS department's responsibility to develop and adapt information systems and IT infrastructure

Given a plan, the next task for the IS department is to create, develop, and adapt both information systems and IT infrastructure. The IS department is responsible for creating and adapting IT infrastructure, such as computer networks, servers, data centers, data warehouses, data marts, and other IS resources. The IS department is also charged with creating systems infrastructures, such as email systems, VPNs, company blogs, SharePoint sites, and other IS-based infrastructure the company needs. In most organizations, user departments pay for computers and related equipment out of their own budgets. However, because the IS department is responsible for maintaining that equipment and for connecting it to the organizational networks, the IS department will specify standard computer systems and configurations that it will support. The IS department is responsible for defining those specifications.

What are a user's responsibilities in relation to the IT department?

In relation to the IT department, users have a responsibility to learn basic computer skills and the standard techniques and procedures for the applications they use, to follow security and backup procedures, to protect their password(s), to use computer resources according to their employer's computer-use policy, to make no unauthorized hardware modifications, to install only authorized programs, to apply software patches and fixes when directed to do so. When asked, they must devote the time required to respond carefully and completely to requests for requirements for new system features and functions. They mustn't resort to reporting trivial problems.

What are a user's rights in relation to the IT department?

In relation to the IT department, users have a right to computer hardware and programs that allow them to perform their jobs proficiently, to reliable network and Internet connections, to a secure computing environment, to protection from viruses, worms, and other threats, and a right to contribute to requirements for new system features and functions. Users also have a right to reliable systems development and maintenance, to prompt attention to problems, concerns, and complaints, to properly prioritized problem fixes and resolutions, and effective training to use systems to perform their jobs.

Describe the IS department's responsibility to plan for information systems and IT infrastructure.

Information systems exist to further the organization's competitive strategy. They exist to facilitate business processes and to help improve decision making. Thus, there are no "IS projects"; instead, all projects involving IS are a part of some other business system or facilitate some business goal. The IS department has the responsibility of aligning all of its activities with the organization's primary goals and objectives. As new technology emerges, the IS department is responsible for assessing that technology and determining if it can be used to advance the organization's goals. Furthermore, as the business changes, the IS department is responsible for adapting infrastructure and systems to the new business goals.

) What are tangible and intangible benefits?

Most IS and IT investment analyses divide benefits into two categories: tangible and intangible. Tangible benefits are those for which a dollar value can be computed. Reducing customer support costs by 10 percent is a tangible benefit. Intangible benefits are those for which it is impossible to compute a dollar value. The benefits of the email system are intangible.

What is the responsibility of the technology office of a firm's IS department?

Most IS departments include a technology office that investigates new information systems technologies and determines how the organization can benefit from them. For example, today many organizations are investigating cloud computing, virtualization, SOA, social networking, and user-generated content and planning on how they can best use those technologies to accomplish their goals and objectives. An individual called the chief technology officer (CTO) often heads the technology group. The CTO sorts through new ideas and products to identify those that are most relevant to the organization. The CTO's job requires deep knowledge of information technology and the ability to envision how new IS will affect the organization over time.

How can one justify IS and IT projects?

One common method for justifying IS and IT projects is to compute the costs and tangible benefits of the system and to perform a financial analysis. If the project can be justified on tangible benefits alone, then the favorable decision is made. If it cannot be justified on the basis of tangible benefits, then the intangible benefits are considered, and a subjective decision is made as to whether the intangibles are sufficiently valuable to overcome the missing tangible benefits that would be required.

Why does one need to know about the IT department?

One needs to know about the IT department for three principal reasons. First, one needs to understand the responsibilities and duties of the IT department in order to be an effective consumer of the IT department's resources. If you understand what the IT department does and how it is organized, you'll know how better to obtain the equipment, services, or systems you need. Second, you need to know about the functions of the IT department to be a better informed and effective manager or executive. Finally, if you are a manager, you need to ensure that the functions of the IT department are performed.

How does the IS department protect infrastructure and data?

The IS department is responsible for protecting infrastructure and data from threats. Threats to IT infrastructure and data arise from three sources: human error and mistakes, malicious human activity, and natural events and disasters. The IS department helps the organization manage risk. The department needs to identify potential threats, estimate both financial and other risks, and specify appropriate safeguards. Nothing is free, including safeguards, and, indeed, some safeguards are very expensive. The IS department works with the CFO and others in the organization to determine what safeguards to implement, or stated differently, what level of risk to assume.

Describe the development group of a firm's IS department.

The development group of an IT department manages the process of creating new information systems as well as maintaining existing information systems. The size and structure of the development group depends on whether programs are developed in-house. If not, this department will be staffed primarily by systems analysts who work with users, operations, and vendors to acquire and install licensed software and to set up the system components around that software. If the organization develops programs in-house, then this department will include programmers, test engineers, technical writers, and other development personnel.

Why is the responsibility to install patches important?

The responsibility to install patches is particularly important for patches that concern security and backup and recovery. When asked for input to requirements for new and adapted systems, one has a responsibility to take the time necessary to provide thoughtful and complete responses. If one does not have that time, one should delegate that input to someone else.

Who coined the term 'agile enterprise' and what did they mean by it?

Today, many executives use the term 'agile enterprise' to refer to an organization that can quickly adapt to changes in the market, industry, product, law, or other significant external factors. Microsoft used this term many years ago because IT infrastructure and systems are known to be particularly difficult to adapt to change, and it claimed its products would change this characteristic. This might be the case, but the one certain effect of its campaign was to alert IS managers and business executives to the need to be adaptable.