1.1 Systems in Organisation Flashcards
When designing a new system you’ve got to consider 3 things…
The extent of new system
Limit of old system
Context of system
What usually causes systems not to change?
We don’t like change.
What are the issues with change? (Name 3)
New systems might omit old features
Old systems might be faster
People find change complex
Change might lead to incompatibility
There might be data loss
It will be expensive
What is needed before changing a system?
A plan, including valid reason for changing.
communication with stakeholders
integration
Evaluation
What is a legacy system?
Old method, technology or computer system that may not be available anymore.
What is a merger?
A combination of two or more entities.
What are the issues of mergers?
Software compatibility
Language differences
Time zone differences
Cultural differences.
What is local software?
Installed on computer
What is remote software?
Installed on computer somewhere else and access it through the internet.
What is SaaS?
Software as a service
A host makes available software for customers over the internet so they don’t have to worry about installation, maintenance and management.
What are the benefits of SaaS?
Cheaper
good for small businesses
less staff required
the organisation can get back online quicker
What are the problems with SaaS?
Software integration
security isn’t as secure
government compliance regulations
The four types of changing procedures.
Direct changeover
Parallel running
Pilot running
Phased conversion
What is direct changeover?
Old system is stopped and new system is started
What are the pros and cons of direct changeover?
Minimal time and effort
If new system fails, no backup.
What is parallel running?
New system is stared but the old system is kept running alongside it with data in both systems.
What are the pros and cons of parallel running?
If new system fails there is a backup
More tine and resources required to run both.
What is pilot running?
New system is tested with a small organisation, once it is running it is completely implement everywhere else.
What are the pros and cons of pilot running?
All features trialed, if new system fails not as tragic.
For the users of the pilot system there is no backup.
What is phased conversion?
New system is introduced in phases.
What are the pros and cons of phased conversion?
Allows people to get used t the new system, training can be done in stages
If new system fails there is no fall back.
What is data migration?
Moving data.
What is important to consider when undergoing data migration? (Name 3)
Compatibility
Data structure differences.
Validation rules
Incomplete data transfers
International, time, money etc.
Security of data
data integrity
Time and cost
Why do we test?
Management
Functionality
User experience
Performance
Compatibility
Security
What is static testing?
When we review software without testing it.
What is dynamic testing?
When we execute the software with test cases. So testing occurs as program runs.
What is the difference between static and dynamic testing?
Static testing involves verification, whereas dynamic testing also involves validation to improve software quality.
What is alpha testing?
performed by employees
on developers site
What is beta testing?
performed by non employees
performed at client location
What is black box testing?
Functional testing = Test without going into software, looks at interfaces instead.
What is white box testing?
Structural testing = looks inside software and uses that knowledge as part of testing.
What is user acceptance testing?
Testing to see if system meets user expectation.
What is usability testing?
Does the app meet functional requirements
What is automated testing?
This is when one uses special tools to control the execution of tests that compares actual results to expected results.
The engineer has no involvement it is automated.
What is important to understand with automated testing?
It is additional testing and can’t be relied on as an accurate test.
What is User documentation?
A document that explains how to use features and functions of a system to its end users.
Why do we need user documentation?
So users can understand features and hidden features
How does one write user documentation?
Simple language, not detailed explanations
Good quality documents that are efficient and succinct
What are help files?
Files supplied with the system.
Advantages of help files?
Accessible at any time
Can give general instructions
can help solve major errors
Disadvantages of help files?
Only uses after system is installed
don’t give any installation help
doesn’t deal with general errors
they often lack a search icon so hard to find info.
What is online support?
Special web series hosted by system developer
What are the advantages of online support?
More extensive
Often more up to date
Talking to real human
Often has search capabilites
What are the disadvantages of online support?
Useless without internet
What are printed manuals?
Manuals printed on paper and supplied together with the system
What are the advantages of printed manuals?
Can be read before system is installed
Always available
Help for installations
What are the disadvantages of printed manuals?
Easy to lose
often limited
not updated.
What is user training?
Training users to understand how the system works and how to use it efficiently.
What is self instruction?
Users teaching themselves using a manual or a video
What are the advantages of self instruction?
Lowest cost
Flexible timeline
Training is exactly what user wants to learn
Disadvantages of self instruction?
Might be too complicated for the user
Certain features might be ignored or misunderstood
What are formal classes?
Users sitting in a classroom with an instructor
Advantages of formal classes?
Structured learning environment
Expert
Curriculum designed to teach all aspects
Disadvantages of formal classes?
Expensive
rigid schedule
Not much personalisation
What is remote/online training?
An instructor training people over remote connection
Advantages of remote training?
Structured learning environment
Expert
Curriculum designed to teach all aspects
learn at home
Disadvantages of remote training?
Expensive
remote with no hands on advice
computer based
internet required.
What can data loss be caused by?
Hardware/software malfunctions
human error
computer viruses
software corruption
natural disasters
What are the consequences of data loss?
Business shut down
loss of important records
What is important to consider with data loss?
Can the data be replaced
how easy can the data be replaced
who will be affected by data loss
are there financial implications
are the life and death consequences
who is responsible
5 ways to prevent data loss
Failover system
Redundancy
Removable Media
Offsite storage
Online storage
What is a failover system?
Constant capability to automatically and seamlessly switch to a highly reliable backup system.
What is redundancy?
Where the data is kept in two separate places. Whenever data is repeated it creates a redundancy.
What is removable media?
Keeping data on a storage device that can be removed while the computer is running. e.g. CD
What is offsite storage?
Storing data external to the organisations core environment/core infrastructure.
What is online storage?
Cloud = storage that is remote and accessed over the internet. Can be used as backup.
What is a release?
When a new product is launched. Sometimes done with a beta version.
What is an update?
A software file that fixes the problems. Prevents the problems from happening on your computer.
What are patches?
Software update inserted into the program to temporarily fix a problem.
What are the problems patches usually solve?
Fix a software bug
install new drivers
address new security vulnerabilities
upgrade the software.
How do you get an update?
Manually
Automatically.
What is release management?
How software is released to the user.
What are the 3 types of release management?
Continuous delivery
Agile development
DevOps (Development Operations.
What is continuous delivery?
Continuous delivery is the ability to deliver software that can be deployed at any time through manual releases;
Reduces cost, time and risk of changes. Also allows for incremental updates.
What is agile development?
an agile team delivers work in small, but consumable, increments.
It allows a quick response to change.
What is Development Operations?
Unification of software development and software operations.
It allows monitoring of all steps of software construction. It is very dependable.
