AIS Exam 4 Ch 20, 21 & 22

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of outsourcing? A. It offers a great deal of flexibility because it is relatively easy to change outsourcers. B. It can provide access to the expertise and special services provided by outsourcers. C. It allows companies to move to a more sophisticated level of computing at a reasonable cost. D. It is a cost-effective way to handle the peaks and valleys found in season businesses.

A. It offers a great deal of flexibility because it is relatively easy to change outsourcers.

A monthly payroll register showing all hourly employees, the number of hours they worked, their deductions, and their net pay is most likely which of the following? A. Scheduled report B. Special-purpose analysis C. Triggered exception report D. Demand report

A. Scheduled report

The unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information is an example of what risk associated with outsourcing? A. A locked-in system. B. A loss of control. C. A reduced competitive advantage. D. Inflexibility.

B. A loss of control.

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of prototyping? A. Better definition of user needs B. Adequately tested and documented systems C. Higher user involvement and satisfaction D. Faster development time

B. Adequately tested and documented systems

Which of the following statements is FALSE? A. As a general rule, companies should buy rather than develop software if they can find a package that meets their needs. B. As an AIS increases in size and complexity, there is a greater likelihood that canned software can be found that meets user needs. C. A company should not attempt to develop its own custom software unless experienced, in-house programming personnel are available and the job can be completed less expensively on the inside. D. As a general rule, a company should develop custom software only when it will provide a significant competitive advantage.

B. As an AIS increases in size and complexity, there is a greater likelihood that canned software can be found that meets user needs.

Which of the following is the long-range planning document that specifies what the system will consist of, how it will be developed, who will develop it, how needed resources will be acquired, and its overall vision? A. Steering committee agenda B. Master plan C. Systems development life cycle D. Project development plan

B. Master plan

Identify one of the primary risks associated with end-user computing below. A. IS personnel will not have enough work to do if users develop their own systems. B. Systems that have not been adequately tested may be implemented. C. System costs may skyrocket. D. System development time may increase substantially.

B. Systems that have not been adequately tested may be implemented.

All of the following are reasons a company might choose to outsource its systems operations and maintenance except A. increased flexibility. B. increased innovation. C. reduce costs. D. foster competition.

B. increased innovation.

When seeking to verify how a system actually works, rather than how it should work. The most useful approach is to A. conduct interviews. B. make observations. C. distribute questionnaires. D. read system documentation.

B. make observations.

End-user computing is likely to result in a(n) A. well tested system. B. well documented system. C. rapidly developed system. D. efficient system.

C. rapidly developed system.

The purchasing department is designing a new AIS. Who is best able to determine departmental information requirements? A. Steering Committee B. Controller C. Top Management D. Purchasing Department

D. Purchasing Department

Which of the following is NOT a reason why companies make changes to their AIS? A. Gain a competitive advantage B. Increase productivity C. Keep up with business growth D. Downsize company operations E. All of the above are reasons why companies change an AIS

E. All of the above are reasons why companies change an AIS

________ are one example of a cloud computing solution. a. Application service providers b. Canned software providers c. Turnkey vendors d. SDLC implementations

a. Application service providers

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

a. Avoidance

Which approach systems acquisition is generally costly and labor-intensive? a. Custom software. b. Turnkey software. c. Canned software. d. Modified canned software.

a. Custom software.

________ refers to involving users in the development, control, and deployment of information systems. a. End-user computing (EUC) b. Amateur user computing (AUC) c. Novice information systems development (NISD) d. Competitive intra-organization systems development approach (CIOSDA)

a. End-user computing (EUC)

Deciding how often a certain report should be provided to users is part of which conceptual design specification element a. Output. b. Processing procedures and operations. c. Data storage. d. Input.

a. Output.

What of the below is the most time-consuming activity in the physical design stage of the systems development life cycle (SDLC)? a. Program design. b. Output design. c. Controls design. d. Input design.

a. Program design.

Which of the following control considerations will help ensure that all input, processing, storage, and output activities are authorized by the appropriate managers? a. Validity. b. Authorization. c. Security. d. Accuracy.

a. Validity.

A guiding philosophy and a set of principles for developing information systems in an unknown, rapidly changing environment is called a. agile development. b. scrum methodology. c. user stories. d. scrum development.

a. agile development.

The system objective concerned that system should be able to accommodate reasonable requirement changes is known as a. flexibility. b. timeliness. c. usefulness. d. reliability.

a. flexibility.

When canned software is used for systems acquisition, the maintenance aspect of the operations and maintenance phase of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) a. is usually the responsibility of the vendor. b. requires trained personnel. c. is often difficult to predict. d. is more costly.

a. is usually the responsibility of the vendor.

In a ________, the old and the new systems are operated simultaneously for a period of time. a. parallel conversion b. phase-in conversion c. direct conversion d. pilot conversion

a. parallel conversion

The basic premise of ________ is that it is easier for people to express what they like or dislike about an existing system than to imagine what they would like in a system. a. prototyping b. outsourcing agreements c. modified software d. turnkey systems

a. prototyping

The first step in developing a prototype emphasizes a. what output should be produced rather than how it should be produced. b. that users identify changes to be made in an iterative process. c. speed and low cost rather than efficiency of operation. d. developing a good prototype into a fully functional system.

a. what output should be produced rather than how it should be produced.

An effective project development team consists of a. accountants. b. All of these c. users. d. systems analysts.

b. All of these

________ is a method of comparing systems by executing an input, processing, and output task on different computer systems and evaluating the results. a. Requirement costing b. Benchmarking c. Prototyping d. Point scoring

b. Benchmarking

What type of conversion changes the old system to a new one by gradually replacing elements of the old with the new until the old system has been entirely replaced? a. Direct conversion. b. Phase-in conversion. c. Pilot conversion. d. Parallel conversion.

b. Phase-in conversion.

Suppose an organization is interested in knowing whether the system can be developed and implemented in the time allotted. Where should this requirement be considered in a feasibility study? a. Technical feasibility. b. Scheduling feasibility. c. Operational feasibility. d. Economic feasibility.

b. Scheduling feasibility.

Who is responsible for maintaining existing computer programs? a. Management. b. System programmers. c. Accountants. d. Systems analysts.

b. System programmers.

In which tool is a prioritized list of projects contained? a. The project development plan. b. The master plan. c. The program evaluation and review technique plan. d. The implementation plan.

b. The master plan.

Which of the following is not an appropriate for task end users to perform? a. Retrieving information from databases. b. Updating database records. c. Preparing schedules and lists. d. Performing statistical analyses.

b. Updating database records.

When a systems vendor provides both the software and hardware needed to run a system as a package, this is known as a. cloud computing. b. a turnkey system. c. canned software. d. an application service package.

b. a turnkey system.

Which of the following is not an element of managing a business process "end to end"? a. Designating a process owner. b. Setting performance standards. c. Identifying process experts to oversee specific functions across units. d. Establishing control and monitoring processes

c. Identifying process experts to oversee specific functions across units.

Why are end-user created systems often poorly documented? a. Users often do not know how to document systems properly. b. Users often believe it is too expensive to properly document systems. c. Users often consider systems documentation to be unimportant. d Users are often unaware they need to properly document systems.

c. Users often consider systems documentation to be unimportant.

The ________ is responsible for evaluating the design alternatives and selecting the one that best meets the organization's needs. a. design team b. implementation committee c. steering committee d. systems analysts

c. steering committee

When an organization seeks to modify canned software, it is best when ________ because unauthorized modifications may make the program unreliable. a. programmers with software experience modify the software b. the organization's IT modifies the software c. the vendor modifies the software d. the intended end-user modifies the software

c. the vendor modifies the software

What is the correct sequence of the phases in the systems development life cycle? a. Conceptual design, physical design, system analysis, implementation and conversion, and operations and maintenance. b. Operations and maintenance, conceptual design, system analysis, physical design, implementation and conversion. c. System analysis, physical design, conceptual design, and operations and maintenance, implementation and conversion. d. System analysis, conceptual design, physical design, implementation and conversion, and operations and maintenance.

d. System analysis, conceptual design, physical design, implementation and conversion, and operations and maintenance.

The system objective concerned that system should process data accurately and completely is known as a. timeliness. b. usefulness. c. flexibility. d. reliability

d. reliability

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. payback period that is equal to the project's economic life c. longest payback period d. shortest payback period

d. shortest payback period

What is the process of discontinuing an old system as soon as a new one is introduced? A. Direct conversion B. Parallel conversion C. Phase-in conversion D. Pilot conversion

A. Direct conversion

Which of the following control design considerations is concerned with whether data processing is complete, accurate, timely, and authorized? A. Integrity. B. Security. C. Validity. D. Audit trail.

A. Integrity.

Which of the following is a method for comparing alternative vendor proposals for development of an accounting information system when the vendors differ with regard to their ability to meet the project criteria? A. Point scoring. B. Resource clearing. C. Requirements costing. D. Multi-objective optimization.

A. Point scoring.

Which of the following statements is true? A. Structured programming divides programs into well-defined modules to reduce complexity. B. Structured programming is used to debug logic errors in programs. C. Structured programming is accomplished by using a flowchart to guide design. D. Structured programming pieces together standard code strings into a completed program.

A. Structured programming divides programs into well-defined modules to reduce complexity.

Who is responsible for ensuring that the new system will meet the needs of users? A. System analysts. B. Accountants. C. System programmers. D. The project development team.

A. System analysts.

________ model is the basic model used to create a framework for an economic feasibility analysis. A. The capital budgeting B. The cash budgeting C. The cost/benefit D. The profit margin

A. The capital budgeting

The ________ step of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) identifies and evaluates design alternatives and develops design specifications. A. conceptual design B. implementation and conversion C. physical design D. systems analysis

A. conceptual design

The developers of your new system have proposed two different AIS designs and have asked you to evaluate them. This evaluation process is most likely to be a part of which SDLC step? A. Systems analysis B. Conceptual design C. Physical design D. Implementation and conversion E. Operation and maintenance

B. Conceptual design

Determining whether the organization has access to people who can design, implement, and operate the proposed system is referred to as which of the following? A. Technical feasibility B. Operational feasibility C. Legal feasibility D. Scheduling feasibility E. Economic feasibility

B. Operational feasibility

Several types of documentation must be prepared for a new system. The type of documentation that includes the files and databases accessed and file retention requirements is called A. Development documentation. B. Operations documentation. C. Reference documentation. D. User documentation.

B. Operations documentation.

Carmie Iria, the director of a systems project committee, has received management approval for the implementation of a new accounting information system. After sending out an RFP to multiple vendors, the committee settled on purchasing a system from Optibase, a vendor who will provide the company with all of the required hardware and software. Carmie's committee has opted to purchase A. canned software. B. a turnkey system. C. an outsourced system. D. cloud computing.

B. a turnkey system.

Firms should consider developing custom software only if A. it will be used for critical functions like accounts receivable. B. it will contribute to development of a significant competitive advantage. C. the firm has the necessary expertise available in-house. D. the available canned software is very expensive.

B. it will contribute to development of a significant competitive advantage.

Which of the following describes the systems testing approach that uses real transactions and files rather than hypothetical ones? A. Walk-through B. Processing of test transactions C. Acceptance test D. Parallel conversion test

C. Acceptance test

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. Conceptual design. B. Implementation and conversion. C. Physical design. D. Systems analysis.

C. Physical design.

Performing revisions to existing program code is an example of A. Debugging. B. Structured programming. C. Program maintenance. D. Walk through.

C. Program maintenance.

When a company is buying large and complex systems, vendors are invited to submit systems for considerations. What is such a solicitation called? A. Request for quotation B. Request for system C. Request for proposal D. Good-Faith estimate

C. Request for proposal

During ________ of systems analysis, an examination is made of each development activity to define the problem to be solved. A. information needs and systems requirements B. the feasibility study C. the initial investigation D. the systems survey

C. the initial investigation

Identify the element below that is not an objective of the output design phase of the physical systems design stage of the SDLC. A. Determining the nature of reports. B. Determining the timing of reports. C. Determining the content of reports. D. Determining the cost of reports.

D. Determining the cost of reports.

________ is the process of installing hardware and software and getting the AIS up and running. A. Conceptual design B. Physical design C. Systems analysis D. Systems implementation

D. Systems implementation

Identify the statement below that is not a major reason companies change their information systems. A. In response to changes in user needs. B. In response to technological changes. C. To gain a competitive advantage. D. To take advantage of tax benefits.

D. To take advantage of tax benefits.

Which of the following control considerations will help ensure that all cash disbursements are made only to legitimate vendors? A. Security. B. Accuracy. C. Authorization. D. Validity.

D. Validity.

Effective AIS training involves a. All of these are correct. b. orientation to new policies and operations. c. planning and scheduling so it occurs before system testing and conversion. d. instruction on new hardware and software.

a. All of these are correct.

Which group of individuals listed below can be the most effective in generating employee support and encouraging the development and acceptance of an AIS project? a. Information systems steering committee. b. Management. c. Accountants. d. Project development team.

b. Management.

Which of the following is a consideration during file and database design? a. Form size. b. Medium. c. Format. d. Organization.

b. Medium.

There are frequently many canned software packages available. However, many companies choose to develop their own software. Why? a. An organization may have unique requirements that are not addressed by canned software packages and The organization's size and complexity necessitates the in-house development of software are correct. b. An organization may have unique requirements that are not addressed by canned software packages. c. The organization's size and complexity necessitates the in-house development of software. d. Canned software packages are often less expensive than software developed in house.

a. An organization may have unique requirements that are not addressed by canned software packages and The organization's size and complexity necessitates the in-house development of software are correct.

How does outsourcing improve an organization's utilization of assets? a. Both By allowing the company to sell assets to outsourcers and improve their cash position and By eliminating the expense of keeping up with the latest technology and, thus, eliminate the drain on cash reserves are correct. b. By eliminating the expense of keeping up with the latest technology and, thus, eliminate the drain on cash reserves. c. By allowing the company to sell assets to outsourcers and improve their cash position. d. By allowing a company to eliminate its IS department, which will reduce its payroll costs.

a. Both By allowing the company to sell assets to outsourcers and improve their cash position and By eliminating the expense of keeping up with the latest technology and, thus, eliminate the drain on cash reserves are correct.

What role does the information systems steering committee play in the systems development process? a. It is an executive-level group established to plan and oversee the information systems function. b. It guides project development. c. It designs system controls and periodically monitors the system to verify the controls are implemented and functioning properly. d. It guides project implementation.

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

Which of the following control considerations will help ensure that the system is protected against (a) unauthorized physical and logical access to prevent the improper use, alteration, destruction, or disclosure of information and software? a. Security. b. Authorization. c. Accuracy. d. Validity.

a. Security.

Identify the report below that does not have a pre-specified content and format design. a. Special-purpose analysis reports. b. Demand reports. c. Triggered exception reports. d. Scheduled reports.

a. Special-purpose analysis reports.

Yasin, a professional in information technology services, sent an e-mail to Mauqwa in the Purchasing department. The e-mail read "Mauqwa, the system just generated a stock-out report. I just wanted to give you a heads up. I'm sending it right over. Best regards, Yasin" What type of report is Yasin providing to Mauqwa? a. Triggered exception report b. Demand report. c. Special-purpose analysis report. d. Scheduled report.

a. Triggered exception report

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

a. system analysis

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. systems integration. b. technological innovation. c. productivity gains. d. competitive advantage.

a. systems integration.

Identify one major drawback that is frequently associated with canned software. a. A commercial software development company develops it. b. Canned software may not meet all of a company's information or data processing needs. c. Canned software may offer easy availability and lower costs. d. Canned software is sold on the open market to a broad range of users with similar requirements.

b. Canned software may not meet all of a company's information or data processing needs.

In which phase of the SDLC does developing a general framework for implementing user requirements occur? a. Operations and maintenance. b. Conceptual systems design. c. Physical design. d. Implementation and conversion.

b. Conceptual systems design.

Identify one disadvantage in prototyping. a. Errors are likely to be detected and eliminated early in the development process. b. Developers may shortchange the testing and documentation process. c. Prototyping may be less costly than other approaches. d. Prototyping usually produces a better definition of user needs than other approaches.

b. Developers may shortchange the testing and documentation process.

Why might outsourcing cause employee resistance? a. Outsourcing helps eliminate the peaks and valleys of system usage. b. Outsourcing often facilitates downsizing. c. Outsourcing can lower a company's overall IS costs. d. Outsourcing often allows a company to better use its assets and scarce resources.

b. Outsourcing often facilitates downsizing.

Carmie Iria, the director of a systems project committee, has received management approval for the implementation of a new accounting information system. After sending out an RFP to multiple vendors, the committee settled on purchasing a system from Sysys, a vendor who will provide a standard software package and post-sale technical support. Carmie's committee has decided to go with a. a turnkey system b. canned software. c. an outsourced system. d. an end-user developed system.

b. canned software.

The first step in program design is to a. write program instructions. b. determine user needs. c. develop a plan. d. hire program users.

b. determine user needs.

Flowcharts, record layouts, and decision tables are all often part of a. testing the program. b. documenting the program. c. determining user needs. d. training program users.

b. documenting the program.

The ________ step of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) is where the system is periodically reviewed and necessary modifications and improvements are made. a. physical design b. operations and maintenance c. conceptual design d. implementation and conversion

b. operations and maintenance

Implementing a new system at a branch location before company-wide adoption is called a. phase-in conversion. b. pilot conversion. c. direct conversion. d. parallel conversion.

b. pilot conversion.

Business Process Management views business processes as a. subsets of organizational strategy that should not be owned by any specific person or department. b. strategic organizational assets. c. related activities that, once perfected, should be managed on an exception basis. d. a series of small tasks to be closely managed.

b. strategic organizational assets.

An analyst who asks the question, "Does the system produce actual and complete data?" is investigating what post implementation factor? a. Reliability. b. Goals and objectives. c. Accuracy. d. Compatibility.

c. Accuracy.

Identify the behavioral problem below that arises due to users receiving an insufficient explanation of why a system must be changed. a. The manner in which the change is introduced. b. Natural resistance to change. c. Communication. d. Top management support of change.

c. Communication.

________ is a process used to uncover and eliminate program errors. a. White box testing b. Black box testing c. Debugging d. Desk checking

c. Debugging

What type of conversion terminates the old system as soon as the new system is ready? a. Phase-in conversion. b. Parallel conversion. c. Direct conversion. d. Pilot conversion.

c. Direct conversion.

In which phase of the systems development life cycle where the company hires and trains employees, tests and modifies procedures, establishes standards and controls, completes documentation, moves to the new system, and detects and corrects design deficiencies? a. Systems analysis. b. Physical design. c. Implementation and conversion. d. Conceptual design.

c. Implementation and conversion.

________ is a form of resistance when users blame anything and everything on the new system, such that it becomes the scapegoat for all real and imagined problems and errors. a. Aggression b. Avoidance c. Projection d. Acceptance

c. Projection

At what point in the systems development life cycle does the company determine how the conceptual AIS design is to be implemented? a. The operation and maintenance phase. b. The implementation and conversion phase. c. The physical design phase. d. The conceptual design phase.

c. The physical design phase.

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. improved business processes. b. better systems integration. c. a competitive advantage. d. productivity gains.

c. a competitive advantage.

It is important that ________ for data storage purposes. a. there is easy access to the system b. a printout of the data dictionary is available c. all data is in compatible format d. copies of necessary reports are available

c. all data is in compatible format

When canned software is used for systems acquisition, the conceptual design phase of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) a. remains unchanged. b. is combined with the physical design phase. c. becomes a make-or-buy decision. d. becomes a "turn-on turn-off" decision.

c. becomes a make-or-buy decision.

Post implementation review is conducted to a. provide external auditors assurance that a new system has been placed into service. b. determine how well the project team performed in developing the new system. c. determine whether a new system meets its planned objectives. d. prioritize future modifications to the system.

c. determine whether a new system meets its planned objectives.

Identify the statement below that is false with regards to the development of an AIS. a. Users are sometimes unable to specify their needs adequately. b. The development process can take so long that the system no longer meets company needs. c. Changes to the AIS are often difficult to make after requirements have been frozen into specifications. d. A newly designed AIS always meets user needs for a time period.

d. A newly designed AIS always meets user needs for a time period.

________ is a system test that determines whether a program is operating as designed. a. An acceptance test b. A walk-through c. A debugging test d. A test data processing

d. A test data processing

Which of the following is not a benefit of outsourcing? a. Improved development time. b. Lower costs. c. Access to greater expertise and more advanced technology. d. Ability to gain greater control.

d. Ability to gain greater control.

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

d. Aggression

Identify the item below that is not generally part of an implementation plan. a. Implementation tasks. b. Cost estimates. c. Expected completion dates. d. Budgeted savings.

d. Budgeted savings.

Which of the following technology allows for a continuous approach to improve and to optimize business processes? a. Business process innovation (BPI). b. Business process reengineering (BPR). c. Business process diagramming (BPD). d. Business process management (BPM).

d. Business process management (BPM).

The most important and frequently re-analyzed part of a feasibility study is the ________ aspect. a. Operational feasibility b. Technical feasibility c. Scheduling feasibility d. Economic feasibility

d. Economic feasibility

What is a drawback to using the requirement costing method of software and hardware evaluation? a. Dollar estimates of costs and benefits are not included. b. There is no drawback to using the requirements costing method. c. The weights and points used are assigned subjectively. d. Intangible factors such as reliability and vendor support are overlooked.

d. Intangible factors such as reliability and vendor support are overlooked.

Suppose a state law mandates that the firm maintained certain sales information. Where should this requirement be considered in a feasibility study? a. Economic feasibility. b. Technical feasibility. c. Operational feasibility. d. Legal feasibility

d. Legal feasibility

Suppose an organization is interested in knowing whether it has access to people who can design, implement, and operate the proposed system. Where should this requirement be considered in a feasibility study? a. Economic feasibility. b. Technical feasibility. c. Scheduling feasibility. d. Operational feasibility.

d. Operational feasibility.

Suppose an organization is interested in knowing whether the system can be developed and implemented using existing technology. Where should this requirement be considered in a feasibility study? a. Scheduling feasibility. b. Operational feasibility. c. Economic feasibility. d. Technical feasibility.

d. Technical feasibility.

Which of the below standards should not be used to evaluate design alternatives in the conceptual systems design stage of the SDLC? a. The economic feasibility of each alternative. b. How well a system meets user needs. c. How well a system meets organizational objectives. d. The amount of time it required to formulate each alternative.

d. The amount of time it required to formulate each alternative.

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

d. The net present value method.

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

d. systems survey

Several types of documentation must be prepared for a new system. The type of documentation that includes a procedures manual and training materials is called a. operations documentation. b. reference documentation. c. development documentation. d. user documentation.

d. user documentation.