MIS 250 Finals 11

Which software development method uses a less structured approach in which tasks are not sequenced according to the​ SDLC?

*Agile* Agile strategies involve cohesive teams that include end​ users, and in which many activities occur simultaneously rather than sequentially to accelerate delivery of usable software.

​____________ methods need developers who welcome changes in requirements because they understand that the ultimate goal is to develop software that users really​ want, not just to finish a project on time.

*Agile* Agile teams are collectively responsible for​ delivery, and team members must help one another achieve the goal to be successful. For this​ reason, agile methods need developers who welcome changes in requirements if needed.

Which of the following explains why the waterfall method is still widely in​ use?

*Business managers are comfortable with its logical and familiar structure.* One reason this method persists is that business managers are comfortable with its logical and familiar structure.

Which of the following statements about the use of​ cross-functional teams in systems development is​ FALSE?

*Cross-functional teams rarely add benefits and value to the organization as a whole.* Cross-functional teams with members from different parts of the company share knowledge and ideas. This​ will, in​ turn, offer added benefits for the whole organization.

Part of the information system planning process that examines whether the initiative is viable from​ technical, financial, and legal standpoints is the​ ____________.

*Feasibility study* The feasibility study is an important part of the planning process that examines whether the initiative is viable from​ technical, financial, and legal standpoints. It may not be technically feasible if the technologies either​ don't exist yet or are not mature enough to support the​ project's goals.

Which of the following is an advantage of engaging consultants in systems development​ projects?

*It gives the organization access to experts who know the software well.* Experienced consultants have seen how different companies implement the product most​ effectively, and they know where the trouble spots are.

Which of the following statements about custom system development is​ true?

*It may offer strategic value that contributes to a​ company's competitive advantage.* Custom software is tailored closely to the​ organization's needs, and therefore may offer strategic value that contributes to​ company's competitive advantage.

​_____________ methods of software development compress the time horizon for software​ development, partly to reduce the effect of changing business needs and the resulting rework.

*Iterative* Iterative methods focus on the time available until the next​ release, or iteration. The development team determines how many of the requirements it can deliver in that timeframe.

Which of the following statements is NOT true of the decision to choose one software strategy over​ another?

*Outsourced software development leans toward iterative methods.* Outsourced software development leans toward waterfall methods. Once the requirements phase is​ complete, the contractor uses the results to determine the cost of the whole​ project, before signing a contract.

Which of the following launches a new system while the old one continues to​ run, so that output can be​ compared?

*Parallel implementation* A parallel implementation launches the new system while the old one is still running. Employees either do their jobs​ twice, once on each​ system, or two separate teams handle the same​ processes, one team on each system.

The first step in the systems development life cycle is​ ___________, which defines the business need for the​ project, assesses its importance to the​ company, and determines whether the project is feasible.

*Planning* The goal in this step is to define the business need for the​ project, assess its importance to the​ company, and determine whether the project is actually feasible.

Which of the following involves creating and sharing a software prototype with​ users, gathering​ feedback, and making corrections before building a fully functional​ version?

*Rapid application development* RAD is a strategy in which developers quickly bring up prototypes to share with end​ users, get​ feedback, and make corrections before building the fully functional version.

​A(n) _____________ is an invitation sent to software vendors that includes a detailed description of the information system an organization​ needs, so that vendors can describe their products that may fit.

*Request for information* The RFI describes the new system in​ broad, high-level​ terms, and interested vendors send responses describing their products and services.

Which of the following is an invitation to software companies to submit formal​ proposals, including detailed descriptions of their​ products, services, and​ costs?

*Request for proposal* The RFP details the requirements developed in the analysis phase and also includes information about the​ organization's architecture,​ staffing, and other relevant details.

Which of the following terms refers to the​ seven-step process in the life of an information​ system?

*Systems development life cycle* The SDLC describes the seven steps in the life of an information​ system: planning,​ analysis, design,​ development, testing,​ implementation, and maintenance.

​A(n) _____________ is a consultant who ensures that the hardware and software components of an information system work together when they come from different vendors.

*Systems integrator* The​ components, such as​ scanners, servers,​ smartphones, software, and​ database, may all come from different​ vendors, and the systems integrator takes responsibility for making them function smoothly with one another.

Which of the following does NOT affect the decision of which system development method to​ use?

*The type of project and organizational culture play a large role in deciding which type of development method to use. The number of end users is not relevant in this decision.* The type of project and organizational culture play a large role in deciding which type of development method to use. The number of end users is not relevant in this decision.

Which of the following is true of the role that senior managers play in systems development and​ procurement?

*They can inspire employees to work together and ensure resource availability for project teams.* Senior managers play an important role in systems development and can inspire employees to work together and ensure the resources the project team needs are available.

​_____________ is an approach used by organizations that prefer systems from a single​ vendor, especially to avoid the need to build interfaces.

*Unified procurement* In unified​ procurement, organizations strongly prefer systems that are offered by a single​ vendor, especially the one that supplies the ERP.

Which of the following is a software development strategy in which systems development lifecycle tasks occur​ sequentially, with one activity starting only after the previous one has been​ completed?

*Waterfall method* In the waterfall​ method, programmers​ don't start writing any code until all the previous phases have been completed. Different people may be engaged in each​ task, and they hand off their work to the next team when their part is done.