CIS235 Chapter 13

What are our options for employing a new system?

Build, buy, or lease? In-sourcing, self-sourcing/end-user development, and outsourcing

What is the role of system analysts in the planning/investigation phase?

Solve problems w/ IT Are Architects, not programmers Feasibility studies

What are the 4 ways organizations can implement a system conversion?

1) Direct: old system cut off, new system on 2) Pilot: introduce new system in part of the org., runs for a period then is assessed. 3) Phased: System is introduced in stages 4) Parallel: Old and new systems operate simultaneously for a time

What are the 4 feasibility analyses that need to be completed?

1) Economic (cost) 2) Technical (can we actually build this thing) 3) Operational (will this do what we need it to do) 4) Behavioral (will humans adapt to change)

What are the phases of SDLC?

1) Systems Investigation 2) Systems Analysis 3) Systems Design 4) Programming and Testing 5) Implementation 6) Operation and Maintenance

List the activities that are performed within each of the phases of the SDLC

1) Systems Investigation: address the problem/opportunity 2) Systems Analysis: gather info about existing system to determine requirements for the new one 3) Systems Design: technical system specification including system outputs, inputs, user interfaces, hardware, software, procedures, and blueprints 4) Programming and Testing: translates specifications into working code, asses whether code will produce desired results 5) Implementation: convert old system to new system 6) Maintenance: updates, as needed

How do new approaches on system developments value individuals and interactions?

A whole lot more customer interaction in agile than waterfall Agile opts for notion of acquiring lower cost change by meeting requirements instead of working off a plan

What is agile? How does it compare to waterfall? What is users' role in agile?

Developmental approach that emphasizes the rapid delivery of an application in complete functional components in phases (typically lasting weeks); Requires frequent communication, development, testing, and delivery. Can be updated later Comparison: Software development good for agile, Waterfall is better for big projects. No user feedback or time for trial and error with Waterfall. Users Role: users tell developers who can fix problems before the project progresses to far

In the context of agile systems development, what is an iteration?

Each development of the systems happens frequently (typically in weeks), team assesses each one to build and improve on next one

Between what dimensions are the key trade-offs in Project Management?

Good-Fast-Cheap Either good and fast but expensive, good and cheap but slow, or fast and cheap but not good

How/Why is the "waterfall nature of SDLC" problematic?

High cost of change (hard to climb up the waterfall), takes long time to execute

What are the key differences between in-sourcing, self-sourcing, and outsourcing systems development?

Insourcing: IT specialists inside your organization Self-sourcing/End-user development: Do-it-yourself approach many end users take with little/no help from IT specialists Outsourcing: A 3rd party organization does the work and we pay them

What is a "JAD" session?

Joint Application Development A group meeting attended by systems analysts where they jointly define and agree on system requirements

Can all projects be run in agile devlopment?

No Watefall: better for building a building, house, ERP over organization. Agile: building websites, software developments

What is a "Definition of Done"?

Set before a project begins, let you know when goals are accomplished/process is done

What are the major differences between small projects and large projects?

Small: few processes affected, limited budget, inexperienced, short development interval Large: Complex requirements, many processes affected, uses IT personnel, large budget, formal/structured, Professional operations support

In which phase do we need to complete the feasibility analysis and come up with a project plan?

Stage 1, Systems Investigation Helps decide if the organization should do nothing, modify the system, or develop a new one

How can technology adjust a break-even analysis?

Technology can determine the point at which the cumulative dollar value of the benefit from a project equals the investment made in the project (revenue = cost)

Can you briefly describe Scrum

Type of agile development; utilizes small project teams that aid in getting a project done in a small amount of time. Often used to manage complex software and product development using iterative and incremental processes

What is an Information System?

any organized system for the collection, organization, storage, and communication of information