CHAPTER 21 AIS Development Strategies

Question 1

1. Programs for sale in the open market to a broad range of users with similar needs are
known as
a. canned software. 
b. turnkey systems. 
c. ASP software. 
d. readymade software.

Answer 1

a. canned software. (Correct. Programs for sale on the open market to a broad range of
users with similar needs.)

Question 2

2. Companies that buy rather than develop an AIS must still go through the systems development
   life cycle.
   a. true
   b. false

Answer 2

a. true [Correct. Purchasing a system still requires a company to follow the systems development
life cycle of analyzing, designing (conceptual and physical), and implementing
a new system. Otherwise, the company risks not purchasing the right system
for its needs.]

Question 3

3. Companies that buy AIS software follow the normal systems development life cycle (SDLC) except for the following.
   a. During conceptual systems design, companies determine whether software that
   meets AIS requirements is available and, if so, whether to buy it or create their own.
   b. Some physical design, implementation, and conversion steps can be omitted. For example,
   the company usually does not need to design, code, and test program modules
   or document the computer program.
   c. Both of the above apply.

Answer 3

c. Both of the above apply. (Correct.)

Question 4

4. The following criteria
   (1) Is the system expandable?
   (2) Are secondary storage capabilities adequate?
   Relate to
   a. hardware evaluation
   b. software evaluation
   c. vendor evaluation

Answer 4

a. hardware evaluation (Correct.)

Question 5

5. Which of the following is not an advantage of end-user computing (EUC)?
   a. User creation, control, and implementation.
   b. Systems that meet user needs
   c. Timeliness.
   d. Less logic and development errors.

Answer 5

d. Less logic and development errors. (Correct.)

Question 6

6. Which of the following statements is true?
   a. Because the AIS is so crucial, companies never outsource parts of the AIS.
   b. Most mainframe outsourcing contracts are for two to three years and cost thousands
   of dollars a year.
   c. Outsourcers often buy the client’s computers and hire all or most of its information
   systems employees.
   d. Only companies struggling to survive and wanting a quick infusion of cash from
   selling their hardware use outsourcing.

Answer 6

c. Outsourcers often buy the client’s computers and hire all or most of its information
systems employees. [Correct. Many large outsourcing deals involve purchasing the
client’s hardware and hiring the client’s employees.]

Question 7

7. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of outsourcing?
   a. It offers a great deal of flexibility because it is relatively easy to change outsourcers.
   b. It can provide access to the expertise and special services provided by outsourcers.
   c. It allows companies to move to a more sophisticated level of computing at a reasonable
   cost.
   d. It is a cost-effective way to handle the peaks and valleys found in seasonal businesses.

Answer 7

a. It offers a great deal of flexibility because it is relatively easy to change outsourcers.
[Correct. This is not a benefit of outsourcing. Because contracts are long term, outsourcers
can be very inflexible, as well as difficult and costly to change.]

Question 8

8. Which of the following is a true statement with respect to prototyping?
   a. In the early stages of prototyping, system controls and exception handling may be
   sacrificed in the interests of simplicity, flexibility, and ease of use.
   b. A prototype is a scaled-down, first-draft model that is quickly and inexpensively built
   and given to users to evaluate.
   c. The first step in prototyping is to identify system requirements.
   d. All of the statements are true.

Answer 8

d. All of the statements are true. [Correct.]

Question 9

9. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of prototyping?
   a. better definition of user needs
   b. adequately tested and documented systems
   c. higher user involvement and satisfaction
   d. faster development time

Answer 9

b. adequately tested and documented systems [Correct. This is not an advantage of prototyping.
Because prototypes are developed so quickly, developers often neglect documentation
and a full testing before the system becomes operational.]

Question 10

10. When is it most appropriate to use prototyping?
    a. when there is little uncertainty about the AIS
    b. when it is clear what users’ needs are
    c. when the final AIS cannot be clearly visualized because the decision process is still
    unclear
    d. when there is a very low likelihood of failure

Answer 10

c. when the final AIS cannot be clearly visualized because the decision process is still
unclear [Correct. Prototyping is more effective when there is substantial uncertainty
about how an AIS should work, look, and feel.]