10. Information System

Question 1

What are the phases of a systems development life cycle

Answer 1

Phase 1. Initial feasibility study

2. Requirements analysis and definition
3. Application design/selection
4. System development/configuration
5. Preliminary testing
6. system implementation
7. post implementation evaluation

Question 2

Initial feasibility

Answer 2

SDLC begins when there is a need or an opportunity identified - helps determine the strategic benefits and to identify the best soluation.

The report describes the problem, timeframe to implement, altnerative solutions, concludes on the best soluation, and potential impacts of the solution and the cost and benefits of the soluation.

Question 3

Requirements analysis and definition

Answer 3

specific resource and technical requirements for the ysstem being selected are determined. This is where the stakeholders and the proejct team interact - this also lays out requirements and user involvement.

Question 4

Application design/selection

Answer 4

Based on the results of the requirements, users will document the business process and document the system blueprint and IT technical matters.

If the organizatino chooses an off-the-shelf system instead, then this would be the selection phase instead in which they would select a vendor through a proposal or quote or a publci tendering process.

Question 5

System Development/Configuration

Answer 5

Programms will test the application to make sure it is inline with the design documents and is working as intended. End users, are invovled in the development of the application.

There are different times of testing that is performed:
unit testing - each omdule is tested to make sure ei tis designed in accordance from phase 3.

system testing - the system as a whole is testd to ensure that the pgoram,d atabase, and other components work togehter

Interface testing - hardware and other applications interact with the new system to make sure that the communication is working.

Question 6

Preliminary testing

Answer 6

Users of the system perform a final acceptace test to determine whether the application is operating as intended.

Question 7

System implementation

Answer 7

Once all the tests are completed, the system is migrated to the live production and there are more than one way to do this.

Question 8

What are the different ways to implement a system

Answer 8

Parallel conversion, direct cut over, modular or pilot study changeover, phased changeover

Question 9

Explain the pros and cons of parallel conversin

Answer 9

You run both the old and new systems at the same time, then after a period of time the old one is shut down.

Pros:
Lower risk of conversion error, and if there are issues with the new, you can still use the old.
Allows the organization to comapre the performances of the new and old.

Cons:
It’s expensive to be running both at the same time, and it can be time consuming, inefficienct as people are doing the same job twice.
It can also be confusing since they’re dealing with two control systems.

Question 10

Explain the pros and cons of direct cutover

Answer 10

The ney system takes over immediately after the initial test is successful.

PRos:
Cost efficienct
Useful when there is no other option tan using live data, such as major website upgrades.

Cons:
Highest risk of conversion errors because there is no backup or fall-bacl if there is an error

Any issues must be resolved immedaitely since it would result in significant costs and interruptions

Data integrity issues could arise when the old system is shut down, and there may not be a paper trail

Question 11

Explains the pros and cons of modular/pilot study changeover

Answer 11

The new system is introduced to a limited part of the organization - such as department or branch.
Pros:
Limits exposure risk from errors and issues. Used for large systems affecting different operating segments

Newly experienced employees from one part of the organization can help others in the rest of the organization when the full conversion takes place.

Cons:
When both the old and new systems and their related control systems in use at the same time, staff can get confused and conflicts between interrelated processes.

Question 12

Phased Change over

Answer 12

Conversions are introduced in steps or intervals for example for a specific time period, only AR will be converted, etc.

PRos:
Allows staff to adjust and errors can caught easily

Cons:
Costly to maintain both systems, there may not be enough staff to keep up both systems.

Mix ups may also occur when using the old and new systems interchangeably.

Question 13

Post-implementation evaluation

Answer 13

Conducted after the new system has been used for a period of months or quarters. This is done to determine what areas are there for improvement and what was done well.

Question 14

Actiosn management can do to control the system development life cycle

Answer 14

Create a committee to oversee and approve decisions

Use project management principles.

Consider change management principles.

Assign aporject manager and project tema to handle it.

Docucment each phase of the project

Obtain formal approval at the end of each project phase

Establish procedures an dstandards for each omponent

Prepare formalized reports

Monitor progress of the project in terms of time and cost

Formally report progress with an explaination of any variances.