Chapter 2

Question 1

Schedule feasibility

Answer 1

Schedule feasibility means that a
project can be implemented in an
acceptable time frame.

Question 2

case for action

Answer 2

A part of the preliminary investigation
report to management that summarizes
project requests and makes specific
recommendations.

Question 3

Operational feasibility

Answer 3

A system that has operational feasibility
is one that will be used effectively after
it has been developed.

Question 4

mission statement

Answer 4

A document or statement that
describes the company for its
stakeholders and briefly states the
company’s overall purpose, products,
services, and values.

Question 5

Strategic planning

Answer 5

The process of identifying long-term
organizational goals, strategies, and
resources.

Question 6

scatter diagram

Answer 6

Also called an XY chart, a tool used by
system analysts to graphically show the
correlation between two variables.

Question 7

business case

Answer 7

Refers to the reasons, or justification,

for a proposal

Question 8

Tangible benefits

Answer 8

Benefits that are difficult to measure in
dollars. However, intangible benefits
can be very important in the calculation
of economic feasibility. An example of
an intangible benefit might be a new
Web site that improves a company’s
image.

Question 9

systems review committee

Answer 9

A group of key managers and users
responsible for evaluating systems
requests. The term computer resources
committee is also used.

Question 10

constraint

Answer 10

A constraint or requirement is a
condition that the system must satisfy
or an outcome that the system must
achieve.

Question 11

just-in-time (JIT)

Answer 11

information when and where it is
needed. For example, just-in-time
inventory systems rely on computer-tocomputer data exchange to minimize
unnecessary inventory.

Question 12

critical success factor

Answer 12

Vital objectives that must be achieved

for the enterprise to fulfill its mission.

Question 13

ectronic proof of delivery (EPOD)

Answer 13

Using EPOD, a supplier uses RFID tags on
each crate, case, or shipping unit to
create a digital shipping list.

Question 14

electronic product code (EPC)

Answer 14

Technology that uses RFID tags to
identify and monitor the movement of
each individual product, from the
factory floor to the retail checkout
counter.

Question 15

XY chart

Answer 15

Also called a scatter diagram, a tool
used by system analysts to graphically
show the correlation between two
variables.

Question 16

customer relationship management

CRM

Answer 16

Many companies implement CRM
systems that integrate all customerrelated events and transactions
including marketing, sales, and
customer service activities.

Question 17

discretionary projects

Answer 17

Projects where management has a
choice in implementing them are called
discretionary projects. For example,
creating a new report for a user is an
example of a discretionary project.

Question 18

economic feasibility

Answer 18

Economic feasibility is achieved if the
projected benefits of the proposed
system outweigh the estimated costs
involved in acquiring, installing, and
operating it.

Question 19

nondiscretionary projects

Answer 19

Projects where no choice exists are
called nondiscretionary projects. An
example of such a project is adding a
report required by a new federal law.

Question 20

computer resources committee

Answer 20

A group of key managers and users
responsible for evaluating systems
requests. The term “systems review
committee” is also used.

Question 21

Technical feasibility

Answer 21

A project or request is said to have
technical feasibility if the organization
has the resources to develop or
purchase, install, and operate the
system.

Question 22

biometric devices

Answer 22

Devices that identify a person by a
retina scan or by mapping a facial
pattern.

Question 23

intangible costs

Answer 23

Intangible costs involve items that are
difficult to measure in dollar terms,
such as employee dissatisfaction.

Question 24

Ishikawa diagram

Answer 24

Also called a fishbone diagram. It is an
analysis tool that represents the
possible causes of a problem as a
graphical outline.

Question 25

Pareto chart

Answer 25

Named for a 19th century economist, a
Pareto chart is drawn as a vertical bar
graph. The bars, which represent
various causes of a problem, are
arranged in descending order, so the
team can focus on the most important
causes.

Question 26

encryption

Answer 26

A process where data is coded
(converted into unreadable characters)
so that only those with the required
authorization can access the data
(usually via decoding software).

Question 27

fishbone diagram

Answer 27

Also called an Ishikawa diagram. It is an
analysis tool that represents the
possible causes of a problem as a
graphical outline.

Question 28

project scope

Answer 28

A specific determination of a project’s

boundaries or extent.

Question 29

Intangible benefits

Answer 29

Benefits that are difficult to measure in
dollars. However, intangible benefits
can be very important in the calculation
of economic feasibility. An example of
an intangible benefit might be a new
Web site that improves a company’s
image

Question 30

Tangible costs

Answer 30

Examples include employee salaries and

hardware purchases.

Question 31

SWOT analysis

Answer 31

It examines a company’s strengths (S),
weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and
threats (T)

Question 32

Critical success factors

Answer 32

Vital objectives that must be achieved

for the enterprise to fulfill its mission.

Question 33

preliminary investigation

Answer 33

An initial investigation to clearly identify
the nature and scope of the business
opportunity or problem. Also called a
feasibility study.

Question 34

systems request

Answer 34

A formal request 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.