CHAPTER 1

Question 1

Information systems analysis and design

Answer 1

The process of developing and
maintaining an information
system.

Question 2

Application software

Answer 2

Software designed to process
data and support users in an
organization. Examples include
spreadsheets, word processors,
and database management
systems.

Question 3

System

Answer 3

A group of interrelated
procedures used for a business
function, with an identifiable
boundary, working together
for some purpose.

Question 4

Component

Answer 4

An irreducible part or
aggregation of parts that makes
up a system; also called
a subsystem.

Question 5

Interrelated

Answer 5

Dependence of one part of the
system on one or more other
system parts.

Question 6

Boundary

Answer 6

The line that marks the inside
and outside of a system and that
sets off the system from its
environment.

Question 7

Purpose

Answer 7

The overall goal or function

of a system.

Question 8

Environment

Answer 8

Everything external to a system

that interacts with the system.

Question 9

Interface

Answer 9

Point of contact where a system
meets its environment or where
subsystems meet each other.

Question 10

Constraint

Answer 10

A limit to what a system can

accomplish.

Question 11

Decomposition

Answer 11

The process of breaking the
description of a system down
into small components; also
known as functional
decomposition.

Question 12

Modularity

Answer 12

Dividing a system up into chunks
or modules of a relatively
uniform size.

Question 13

Coupling

Answer 13

The extent to which subsystems

depend on each other.

Question 14

Cohesion

Answer 14

The extent to which a system or
subsystem performs a single
function.

Question 15

Systems analyst

Answer 15

The organizational role most
responsible for the analysis and
design of information systems.

Question 16

Systems development

methodology

Answer 16

A standard process followed in
an organization to conduct all
the steps necessary to analyze,
design, implement, and maintain
information systems.

Question 17

Systems development life

cycle (SDLC)

Answer 17

The series of steps used to mark
the phases of development for an
information system.

Question 18

Systems planning

and selection

Answer 18

The first phase of the SDLC, in
which an organization’s total
information system needs are
analyzed and arranged, and in
which a potential information
systems project is identified and
an argument for continuing or not
continuing with the project is
presented.

Question 19

Systems analysis

Answer 19

Phase of the SDLC in which the
current system is studied and
alternative replacement systems
are proposed.

Question 20

Systems design

Answer 20

Phase of the SDLC in which the
system chosen for development
in systems analysis is first
described independently of any
computer platform, (logical
design) and is then transformed
into technology-specific details
(physical design) from which all
programming and system
construction can be
accomplished.

Question 21

Systems implementation

and operation

Answer 21

Final phase of the SDLC, in
which the information system is
coded, tested, and installed in
the organization, and in which
the information system is
systematically repaired and
improved.

Question 22

Prototyping

Answer 22

Building a scaled-down version
of the desired information
system.

Question 23

Computer-aided
software engineering
(CASE)

Answer 23

Software tools that provide
automated support for some
portion of the systems
development process.

Question 24

Repository

Answer 24

A centralized database that
contains all diagrams, forms and
report definitions, data structures,
data definitions, process flows
and logic, and definitions of
other organizational and system
components; it provides a set of
mechanisms and structures to
achieve seamless data-to-tool
and data-to-data integration.

Question 25

Joint application design

JAD

Answer 25

A structured process in which
users, managers, and analysts
work together for several days in
a series of intensive meetings to
specify or review system
requirements.

Question 26

Rapid application

development (RAD)

Answer 26

Systems development
methodology created to radically
decrease the time needed to
design and implement
information systems.

Question 27

Participatory design (PD)

Answer 27

A systems development
approach that originated in
northern Europe, in which users
and the improvement of their
work lives are the central focus.

Question 28

Agile Methodologies

Answer 28

A family of development
methodologies characterized by
short iterative cycles and
extensive testing; active
involvement of users for
establishing, prioritizing, and
verifying requirements; and a
focus on small teams of talented,
experienced programmers.