AS-1

Question 1

What caused the ‘Software Crisis’?

Answer 1

The ‘Software Crisis’ was caused by the rapid improvement in Computer Hardware (faster RAM, more storage space, faster better CPU’s/GPU’s etc.). Software development was a new field and developers couldn’t keep up with the exponential improvement in hardware

Question 2

What problems did the ‘Software Crisis’ cause?

Answer 2

The ‘Software Crisis’ caused projects,

• to run over budget,
• to be delivered late,
• that didn’t meet user requirements,
• that were very inefficient.

Question 3

Why do organisations/individuals need software?

Answer 3

Organisations/Individuals need software to solve problems.

Question 4

What are the three main categories of software?

Answer 4

General Purpose
-Generic software that could be used for many things. Eg. Word can be used to create letters, leaflets, books, etc.

Special Purpose
-Software used for one specific job. Eg. Payroll Software

Bespoke Software
-Software made specifically for a particular user or organisation. Eg. BT will have specialist software to magange their staff/customers.

Question 5

What are the two main ways of acquiring software? What are the advantages and disadvantage to both?

Answer 5

Off-the-shelf
-Software that has already been developed. You buy the license and use the software.

Advantage

• Cheaper
• Readily Available
• Support

Disadvantage

• May not be exactly what you want,
• You may be paying for functionality you don’t use

Custom Built
-Software made to meet the needs of the person/organization that bought the software.

Advantage

• Tailored to meet user’s need
• Not paying for extra funcionality

Disadvantage

• Expensive
• Support
• Time

Question 6

What is the reason developing new Software Systems?

Answer 6

• The current system no longer meets users needs.
• Technological developments can make the system outdated.
• The current system may be too inflexible, too difficult to update/upgrade, or too expensive to maintain.

Question 7

What are the main factors affecting Systems Development?

Answer 7

The main factors affecting systems development are User Needs (Scope), Time (Schedule), Cost (Resources).

Question 8

What does a computer system consist of?

Answer 8

A computer system consists of a User Interface, Processes and Data.

Question 9

What is the role of the Systems Analyst during System Development?

Answer 9

• Fact Finding
• Identifying User Requirements
• Conducting a Feasibility Study
• Assist in Design, Implementation and Testing.

Question 10

What is the role of the Project Manager during System Development?

Answer 10

-Oversee the development of the new system
-Schedule the project
-Manage the budget
-Allocate resources ( Personnel, Hardware and Software)
-Monitor the progress of the project
-Identify and respond to risk or bottlenecks
-Report back to clients as the project
progresses

Question 11

What is the role of the Programmer during System Development?

Answer 11

• Writes the code based on design specification
• Debug’s the code
• Documents any changes to the design
• Tests the code
• Maintains the code

Question 12

What is the purpose of Analysis?

Answer 12

The purpose of Analysis is to invesigate problems with the current system. The solution to the problem can be creation a new information system, or improvements within the existing system. The Systems Analyst will investigate the current system to establish user requirements.

Question 13

What are the four Fact Finding techniques?

Answer 13

Interviews
Questionnaires
Observation
Document Sampling

Question 14

What is the purpose, advantages and disadvantages of Interviews?

Answer 14

Purpose
To find, verify and clarify facts
Involve the user
Identify requirements
Solicit ideas for a new system

Advantages
Follow up questions can be asked
Body language can be observed

Disadvantages
Time consuming, therefore costly
Difficult to repeat
Hawthorne effect
Only get perspective/opinion of individuals/small groups

Question 15

What is the purpose, advantages and disadvantages of Questionnaires?

Answer 15

Purpose
Get a large overview of opinion for larger user groups

Advantages
Low cost way of getting opinions
Allows for anonimity - more likely to get peoples real opinions
Users can complete at own convenience
Quick and easy to fill in

Disadvantages
Can’t ask follow up questions if responses are not as expected
Return rates can be low
Can’t observe body language

Question 16

What is the purpose, advantages and disadvantages of Observation?

Answer 16

Purpose
See first hand the system in operation
Better understanding of what users do and the problems they face
Uderstand what, when and how tasks are completed
See how data is entered, processed and information produced
See how long tasks take and who is involved in different tasks

Advantages
Analyst gets first hand experience of the system to help understand requirements
Can see how tasks are preformed and can spot inefficiencies and problems
can ask users questions about their experience of the system

Disadvantages
Hawthorne effect
Observer may get in the way of staff

Question 17

What is the purpose, advantages and disadvantages of Document Sampling?

Answer 17

Purpose
To see what data is captured and what information is generated
See how data is captured, stored, manipulated and reported
Uncover data flows

Advantages
Can clearly see data flows
Clear understanding of data requirements and types

Disadvantages
Some important information may not be visible
Can’t see how information may be used
Can’t see any inefficiencies in processing

Question 18

What is a Functional Requirement?

Answer 18

Functional Requirement specify what the system must actually do.

Question 19

What is a Non-Functional Requirement?

Answer 19

Non-Functional Requirement specify additional criteria by which the system will be judged.

Question 20

What is the purpose of DFD’s?

Answer 20

Data Flow Diagrams show how data moves through a system and what data is stored. It does not specify what type of data storage medium is used or how the data is stored.