Chapter 11: Information Systems Management
Successful firms that align information systems to its business objectives __________.
understand how information technology works and what its use is
The title of the principal manager of the IS department is __________.
Chief Information Officer
The __________ reports to the chief information officer, according to the reporting relationships.
Chief Technology Officer
With respect to the job positions in the information systems industry, advising the CIO, executive group, and project managers on emerging technologies is the responsibility of the __________.
Chief Technology Officer
International Outsourcing p.296
Choosing to use an outsourcing developer in India is not unique to PRIDE (PRofitable Information by DEsign)
Which of the following describes the CIO's role as a fast mover?
Managing project delivery in shorter time cycles of weeks instead of months
Which of the following is the most critical skill that a next-generation CIO should have?
Managing transformational change
How is the department organized? p.290
Organizational structure varies depending on the organization's size, culture, competitive environment, industry, and other factors.
__________ is the moving of business processes or tasks to another company.
Outsourcing
In information systems projects, the information systems steering committee __________.
is responsible for systems development and operation
The __________ group manages the computing infrastructure, including individual computers, in-house server farms, networks, and communications media for an organization's IS department.
operations
Explanation of Figure 11-5 p.298
-Acquiring licensed software, is a form of outsourcing -Another option is Platform as a Service (PaaS), which is the leasing of hardware with preinstalled operating systems as well as possibly DMBS systems -Some organizations choose to outsource the development software -Another alternative is Software as a Service (SaaS), in which hardware and both operating system and application software is leased (ex: Salesforce.com) -It is possible to outsource an entire system (ex: PeopleSoft) -Some organizations choose to outsource an entire business function
Figure 11-3 Planning the Use of IS/IT p.292
>Align information systems with organizational strategy; maintain alignment as organization changes >Communicate IS/IT issues to executive group >Develop/enforce IS priorities within the IS department >Sponsor steering committee
Which of the following is a function associated with the development group of an IS department?
Adapting existing information systems to support new features and functions
How do organizations plan the use of IS? p.292-294
Align information systems with organizational strategy: >The purpose or an information system is to help the organization accomplish its goals and objectives. All information systems must be aligned with the organization's competitive strategy. >IS infrastructure is not malleable. Changing a network requires time and resources. Communicate is issues to the executive group: >The CIO is the representative for IS and IT issues within the executive staff >Involving the CIO in high-level discussions is the best way to avoid problems Develop Priorities and Enforce them within the IS department: >Everyone in the IS department must be to develop the most appropriate systems possible, given constraints on time and money. Sponsor the steering committee: >A steering committee is a group of senior managers from the major business functions that works with the CIO to set the IS priorities and decide among major IS projects and alternatives. >The steering committee serves an important communication function between IS and the users >provides a forum for users to express their needs, frustrations, and other issues they have with the IS department >The IS department sets up the steering committee's schedule and agenda and conducts meetings >The CEO and other members of the executive staff determine the membership of the steering committee
Which of the following is a best practice when using information systems?
Aligning information technology with business goals and objectives
Which of the following is NOT one of the information systems planning functions?
Brief the Board of Directors
Job Positions in the IS industry (Figure 11-2) p. 292
Business Analyst: Work with business leaders and planners to develop processes and systems that implement business strategy and goals. Knowledge of business planning, strategy, process management, and technology. Can deal with complexity. See big picture but work with details. Strong interpersonal and communications skills needed. System Analyst: Work with users to determine system requirements, design and develop job descriptions and procedures, help determine system test plans. Strong interpersonal and communications skills. Knowledge o both business and technology. Adaptable. Programmer: Design and write computer programs. Logical thinking and design skills, knowledge of one or more programming languages. PQA Test Engineer: Develop test plans, design and write automated test scripts, perform testing. Logical thinking, basic programming, superb organizational skills, eye for detail. Technical Writer: Write program documentation, help-text, procedures, job descriptions, training materials. Quick learner, clear writing skills, high verbal communication skills. User Support Representative: Help users solve problems, provide training. Communications and people skills. Product knowledge. Patience Computer Technician: Install software, repair computer equipment and networks. Associate degree, diagnostic skills. Network Administrator: Monitor, maintain, fix, and tune computer networks. Diagnostic skills, in-depth knowledge of communications technologies and products. Consultant: Wide range of activities: Programming, testing, database design, communications and networks, project management, security and risk management, social media, strategic planning. Quick learner, entrepreneurial attitude, communications and people skills. Respond well to pressure. Particular knowledge depends on work. Salesperson: Sell software, network, communications, and consulting services. Quick learner, knowledge of product, superb professional sales skills. Small-Scale Project Manager: Initiate, plan, monitor, and close down projects. Management and people skills, technology knowledge. Highly organized. Large-Scale Project Manager: Initiate, plan, monitor, and close down complex projects. Executive and management skills. Deep project management knowledge. Database Administrator: Manage and protect database. Diplomatic skills, database technology knowledge. Chief Technology Officer (CTO): Advise CIO, executive group, and project managers on emerging technologies. Quick learner, good communications skills, business background, deep knowledge of IT. Chief Information Officer (CIO): Manage IT department, communicate with executive staff on IT-and IS-related matters. Member of the executive group. Superb management skills, deep knowledge of business and technology, and good business judgment. Good communicator. Balanced and unflappable.
Figure 11-1 Senior-Level Reporting Relationships p.290
CEO/COO > HR/LEGAL > VP Marketing/Sales/Manufacturing/Engineering & CIO/CFO > data administration > CTO/Operations/Development/Outsourcing Relations
Which of the following is true of outsourcing?
Decrease in communication costs has powered outsourcing of business processes on a global scale
Identify the function of the technology office in an IS department.
Determining the effect of the implementation of new information systems
Which of the following is a right?
Effective training
Information Systems (IS) p. 290
Exist to help the organization achieve its goals and objectives.
What are the outsourcing alternatives? p.296
Figure 11-5 (p.298) organizes the major categories of alternatives such as outsourcing the computers in the cloud via IaaS. Hardware (IaaS cloud hosting) Software (licensed software/outsourced development & PaaS) Data (SaaS) Procedures (System) People (Business function)
User Information Systems Rights and Responsibilities
Figure 11-7 p.300
Information Technology (IT) p.290
Is simply technology. It concerns the products, techniques, procedures, and designs of computer-based technology. IT must be placed into the structure of an IS before an organization can use it.
Jordan and Cameron are software developers at Crane Inc., a software development firm. They are developing an information system for another company based in the U.S. Jordan and Cameron develop software code during the day. Before leaving the office, Jordan and Cameron upload the code that they have developed to cloud storage. Their counterparts in another country download the code and test it for bugs, and upload the debugged code to cloud storage. When Jordan and Cameron return to work in the morning, they have debugged code waiting on the cloud storage. Which of the following indicates that Crane is involved in offshore outsourcing?
Jordan and Cameron's counterparts working on testing the code in another country
What are the risks of outsourcing? p.298-300
Loss of control: -vendor (salesperson) in driver's seat -technology direction -potential loss of intellectual capital -product fixes in wrong priority -vendor management, direction or identity changes -CIO superfluous (unnecessary)? Benefits outweighed by long-term costs: -High unit cost, forever -Paying for someone else's mismanagement -In time, outsource vendor is de facto sole source -many not get what you pay for but don't know it No easy exit: -critical knowledge in minds of vendors, not employees -expensive and risky to change vendors
Popular Reasons for Outsourcing IS Services p.296
Management Advantages: -Obtain expertise -Avoid management problems -Free management time Cost Reduction: -Obtain part-time services -Gain economies of scale Risk Reduction: -Cap financial exposure -Improve quality -Reduce implementation risk
Operations (Group 2) p.290
Manages the computing infrastructure, including individual computers, in-house server farms, networks, and communications media. This group includes system and network administrators. They monitor the user experience and respond to user problems.
Which of the following is NOT one of your responsibilities as an information system user?
Modify your company-issued hardware to best suit your personal work habits and preferences
Identify the function of the outsourcing relations group of an IS department.
Negotiating the costs of hiring another organization to perform a service
What is different about today's IT environment?
New business needs to occur more quickly today than they did in the past
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Outsourcing? p.294
Outsourcing is the process of hiring another organization to perform a service. It is done to save costs, gain experience, and free management time. Outsourcing Information Systems: >Many companies today have chosen to outsource portions of their information systems activities (Figure 11-4 p.296)
Which of the following statements about outsourcing is NOT accurate?
Outsourcing might be done to create jobs in a foreign country thereby promoting international goodwill.
Identify the function of the data administration group of an IS department.
Protecting information assets of the company
Which of the following is NOT one of the functions of the IS department?
Serve as an internal corporate auditor for the accounting department
Which of the following is NOT one of the risks of outsourcing?
The CIO might become indispensable
What IS-Related Job Positions Exist? p.290
The data, procedures, and people components of an information system require professionals with highly developed interpersonal communications skills. Figure 11-2 (p. 292) summarizes the major job positions in the IS industry.
Chief technology officer (CTO) p.290
The head of the technology group. The CTO filters 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 could affect an organization over time. The CTO evaluates new technologies, new ideas, and new capabilities.
Data Administration p.290
The purpose of this group is to protect data and information assets by establishing data standards and data management practices and policies.
Which of the following statements about the IS steering committee is NOT accurate?
The steering committee enables the CIO to specify what the company's strategies and objectives should be to best support the available information technologies and systems.
Chief information officer (CIO) (Group 1) p.290
The title of the principal manager of the IT department. The (CIO) reports to the Chief executive officer (CEO) or the Chief operating officer (COO), who reports to the (CEO). In some companies, the (CIO) reports to the Chief financial officer (CFO) if the primary information systems support only accounting and finance activities.
Which of the following is true of the next-generation CIOs?
They need to be leaders in IT innovation
Which of the following is required of a next-generation CIO?
They need to have a greater understanding of the complexity of IT
Outsourcing Relations (Group 4...last group) p.290
This group exists in organizations that have negotiated outsourcing agreements with other companies to provide equipment, applications, or other services.
Development (Group 3) p.290
This group manages the process of creating new information systems as well as maintaining existing information systems. If the organization develops programs in-house, then this department will also include programmers, test engineers, technical writers, and other development personnel.
Which of the following is an important reason for outsourcing business activities to other countries?
To control costs and free up internal resources
A typical IS departmental organizational structure includes all of the following groups and staff functions EXCEPT
VP engineering
Which of the following is true of offshore outsourcing?
Wage inflation in other countries leads to an erosion in the advantages of outsourcing
What are your user rights and responsibilities? p.300
Your User Rights: -have the computing resources you need to perform your work as proficiently as you want -to computer hardware and programs that you need - if you process huge files for data-mining applications, you have a right to huge disks and a fast processor -right to reliable (you can process without problems, never go to work wondering) network and Internet services -right to secure computing environment -right to participate in requirements meetings for new applications that you will use and for major changes to applications that you currently use -right to reliable systems development and maintenance -right to receive prompt attentions -right to effective training Your User Responsibilities: -to learn basic computer skills, techniques and procedures for the applications you use -follow security & backup procedures -for using your computer resources in a manner that is consistent with your employer's policy -to make no unauthorized hardware modifications to your computer and to install only authorized programs -to install computer updates and fixes -treat information systems professionals professionally
Robert is a computer expert who works for Innovator's Inc., a software company in Houston. He was hired exclusively to repair the computer equipment and networks within the company, in case of any crisis. This is an example of a __________ job position in an information systems industry.
computer technician's
The __________ group manages the process of creating new information systems as well as maintaining existing ones.
development
Companies choose to outsource business activities because __________.
of the need to compensate for lack of specific skills
Determining the effect of the implementation of new information systems is associated with which of the following groups of an IS department?
technology group
