Chapter 1 - Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design Flashcards
A combination of hardware, software, and telecommunications systems that support business operations, improve productivity, and help managers make decisions.
Information technology (IT)
The process of developing information systems that effectively use hardware, software, data, processes, and people to support the company’s business objectives.
Systems analysis and design
A combination of information technology, people, and data to support business requirements. The five key components are hardware, software, data, processes, and people.
information system
A person who plans, analyzes, and implements information systems. They may work internally within a company’s IT department or be hired by a company as an independent consultant.
systems analyst
A set of related components that produces specific results.
system
An information system that is vital to a company’s operations.
mission-critical system
The raw material or basic facts used by information systems.
data
Data that has been changed into a useful form of output.
Information
The physical layer of the information system, to include computers, networks, communications equipment, and other technology-based infrastructure.
Hardware
A large concentration of networked computers working together.
data center
A prediction that computing power would double every 18 to 24 months due to increased miniaturization of electronic components
Moore’s law
A program run by computers for a specific function or task.
Software
Programs that control the computer, including the operating system, device drivers that communicate with hardware, and low-level utilities.
System software
Software programs, such as email, word processors, spreadsheets, and graphics packages, used by employees in typical office scenarios.
Application software
Company-wide applications, such as order processing systems, payroll systems, and company communications networks.
enterprise applications
A basic system, such as an inventory or payroll package, that is commonly used by a variety of companies
horizontal system
A system designed to meet the unique requirements of a specific business or industry, such as a web-based retailer or auto-supply store.
vertical system
An older system that is typically less technologically advanced than currently available systems.
legacy systems
Extremely large datasets (e.g., petabytes) requiring nontraditional approaches to deal with them. Sometimes characterized by three terms: volume, variety, and velocity.
big data
Database systems that use a flat, nontabular (nonrelational) structure to store and process large-scale datasets.
NoSQL databases
Anyone who is affected by the company’s performance, such as customers, employees, suppliers, stockholders, and members of the community.
stakeholders
Stakeholders inside and outside the company who will interact with the system.
users
Transactions (e.g., buying and selling of goods and information) that occur on the Internet. Includes both business-to-consumer and business-to-business.
e-commerce (electronic commerce)
A software application that runs on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet.
app
A commercial exchange (e.g., products or services) between businesses and consumers conducted over the Internet.
B2C (business-to-consumer)
A commercial exchange (e.g., products or services) between businesses, typically enabled by the Internet or electronic means.
B2B (business-to-business)
The exchange of business documents between computers using a standard electronic format
electronic data interchange (EDI)
The coordination, integration, and management of materials, information, and finances as they move from suppliers to customers, both within and between companies. In a totally integrated supply chain, a customer order could cause a production planning system to schedule a work order, which in turn could trigger a call for certain parts from one or more suppliers
supply chain management (SCM)
A traditional systems development technique that uses phases to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system. Processes and data are treated as separate components.
supply chain
A process that produces a graphical representation of a concept or process that systems developers can analyze, test, and modify.
Modeling
A definition of a company’s overall functions, processes, organization, products, services, customers, suppliers, competitors, constraints, and future direction.
business profile
A graphical representation of business functions that consist of business processes, such as sales, accounting, and purchasing.
business model
An approach to systems engineering that relies on domain models, rather than traditional documents, to design large-scale systems and convey information between engineers.
Model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
A description of specific events, tasks, and desired results.
business process
A graphical representation of one or more business processes.
business process model (BPM)
A standard set of shapes and symbols used to represent events, processes, and workflows in computer-based modeling tools.
business process modeling notation (BPMN)
Information systems that support company-wide data management requirements, such as airline reservations or credit card billing systems.
Enterprise computing
A process that establishes an enterprise-wide strategy for IT resources. ____ defines a specific architecture, including standards for data, processing, network, and user interface design.
enterprise resource planning (ERP)
Operational systems used to process day-to-day recurring business transactions, such as customer billing.
Transaction processing (TP) systems
Provide job-related information support to users at all levels of a company.
Business support systems
A computer-based information system used in business planning, control, decision making, and problem solving.
management information systems (MIS)
Technology that uses high-frequency radio waves to track physical objects.
radio frequency identification (RFID)
A popular systems development technique that uses a group of users, managers, and IT professionals who work together to gather information, discuss business needs, and define the new system requirements.
knowledge base
Instructions that direct a knowledge management system to identify data pattern and relationships.
inference rules
Applications that provide employees of all levels a wide array of tools to improve job performance. Examples include email, word
processing, graphics, and company intranets.
user productivity systems
Programs that run on a network that enable users to share data, collaborate on projects, and work in teams.
groupware / workgroup software
A program that responds to user requests through a natural interface, such as regular speech, to provide assistance to general purpose queries. Often embedded in devices such as Internet-connected speakers and smartphones
personal digital assistant
The attempt to recreate natural intelligence through software in machines.
artificial intelligence
An application of computer science and artificial intelligence that uses automated approaches to pattern recognition and predictive analytics based on large datasets.
machine learning
The long-range plans that define the corporate mission and goals. Typically defined by top management, with input from all levels.
strategic plans
A business practice that places more responsibility and accountability throughout all levels of an organization.
empowerment
A traditional systems development technique that uses phases to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system. Processes and data are treated as separate components.
structured analysis
The act of understanding an information system by identifying things called objects. An object represents a real person, place, event, or transaction. __________________ is a popular approach that sees a system from the viewpoint of the objects themselves as they function and interact with the system
object-oriented (O-O) analysis
Systems development methods that attempt to develop a system incrementally by building a series of prototypes and constantly adjusting them to user requirements. Also called adaptive methods.
agile methods
The process of planning, scheduling, monitoring, controlling, and reporting upon the development of an information system.
Project management
Activities and functions that systems developers typically perform, regardless of how those activities and functions fit into a particular methodology. The ____model includes five phases: (1) systems planning, (2) systems analysis, (3) systems design, (4) systems implementation, and (5) systems support and security.
systems development life cycle (SDLC)
How a system handles data and produces useful information.________ reflect the operational requirements of the
business. Examples include adding the proper amount of sales tax to invoices, calculating customer balances and finance charges, and determining whether a customer is eligible for a volume-based
business rules
Graphical representation of the system, showing it stores, processes, and transforms data into useful information.
data flow diagram (DFD)
The traditional model of software development. A graph that depicts the result of each SDLC phase flowing down into the next phase.
waterfall model
A polished, final product, suitable for its intended use. End products or ___________ often coincide with the completion of each SDLC phase.
deliverable
The first phase of the SDLC. During this phase, the systems project gets started. The project proposal is evaluated to determine its feasibility. The project management plan is formulated, with the help of CASE tools where appropriate.
systems planning phase
A formal appeal to the IT department that describes problems or desired changes in an information system or business process. It might propose enhancements for an existing system, the correction of problems, or the development of an entirely new
system.
systems request
An initial analysis to clearly identify the nature and scope of the business opportunity or problem.
feasibility study / preliminary investigation
An initial investigation to clearly identify the nature and scope of the business opportunity or problem. Also called preliminary investigation.
feasibility study
The second SDLC phase. The purpose of this phase is to build a logical model of the new system.
systems analysis phase
Used in the systems planning phase of the SDLC. It involves using various fact-finding techniques, such as interviews, surveys, observation, and sampling, to describe the current system and identify the requirements for the new system.
requirements engineering
A document that contains the requirements for the new system, describes the alternatives that were considered, and makes a specific recommendation to management. It is the end product of the systems analysis phase.
system requirements document
The third SDLC phase. The purpose of ___________ is to create a blueprint for the new system that will satisfy all documented requirements, whether the system is being developed in-house or purchased as a package.
systems design phase
A document that presents the complete design for the new information system, along with detailed costs, staffing, and scheduling for completing the next SDLC phase, systems implementation.
system design specification
The fourth phase of the SDLC. During this phase, the new system is constructed—programs are written, tested, and documented, and the system is installed.
systems implementation phase
During the ____________________________ of the SDLC, the IT staff maintains, enhances, and protects the system.
systems support and security phase
A term used in object-oriented modeling to indicate a collection of similar objects.
class
In object-oriented (O-O) analysis, characteristics that objects inherit from their class or possess on their own.
properties
An adaptive method typically uses a spiral development model, which builds on a series of iterations.
iterative
A development model with a series of iterations, or revisions, based on user feedback.
spiral model
An early, rapidly constructed working version of the proposed information system.
prototype
Activities that cover the entire SDLC, including requirements, design, development, testing, and deployment and management of software applications.
application lifecycle management (ALM) / product lifecycle management (PLM)
An application for building other software applications. Typically includes a visual code editor, an integrated compiler, a debugger, a configuration management system, and a test framework.
integrated development environments (IDE)
A technique that uses powerful programs called CASE tools to provide an overall framework for systems development. The tools support a wide variety of design methodologies, including structured analysis and object-oriented analysis.
computer-aided software engineering
Powerful software used in computer-aided systems engineering (CASE) to help systems analysts develop and maintain information systems.
CASE tools
________________ is necessary to support the wide variety of IT systems and users. It includes six main functions: application development, systems support, user support, database administration, network administration, and web support. These functions overlap considerably and often have different names
in different companies.
technical support
A centralized resource staffed by IT professionals that provides users with the support they need to do their jobs. A _______ has three main objectives: to show people how to use system resources more effectively, to provide answers to technical or operational questions, and to make users more productive by
teaching them how to meet their own information needs.
help desk / service desk/ information center
The ability to compare, classify, evaluate, recognize patterns, analyze cause and effect, and apply logic. Such skills are valued in the IT industry
critical thinking skills
A credential an individual earns by demonstrating a certain level of knowledge and skill on a standardized test.
Certification
A set of beliefs, rules, traditions, values, and attitudes that define a company and influence its way of doing business.
corporate culture
Interdisciplinary field that blends computer science, math and statistics, and business methods to analyze large datasets. Involves artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive analytics, and visualization techniques.
data science
An equipment management model where employees are in charge of their devices (e.g., computers, tablets, smartphones) at work, not the IT department. This includes device selection and setup, program installation and updating, and network connectivity (including security).
bring your own device (BYOD)
Companies that manufacture computers, routers, or microchips.
Product-oriented
A company that primarily offers information or services or sells goods produced by others.
service-oriented
The ability of a system to expand to meet new business requirements and volumes.
scalable
