Chapter 4

Question 1

System Analysis phase

Answer 1

includes the four main activities requirements modeling, data and process modeling, object modeling, and consideration of development strategies

Question 2

requirements modeling

Answer 2

which involves fact-finding to describe the current system and identification of the requirements for the new system, such as outputs, inputs, processes, performance, and security

Question 3

Output

Answer 3

refers to electronic or printed information produced by the system

Question 4

Input

Answer 4

Refers to the necessary data that enters the system, either manually or an automated manner

Question 5

process

Answer 5

refers to the logical rules that are applied to transform the data into meaningful information

Question 6

Scalability

Answer 6

refers to hard ware, software, and procedural controls that safeguard and protect the system and its data from internal or external threats

Question 7

Data and Process Modeling

Answer 7

the modeling process by showing how to represent graphically system data and processes using traditional structured analysis techniques. structured analysis identifies the data flowing into a process, the business rules that transform the data, and the resulting output data flow

Question 8

Object Modeling

Answer 8

While structured analysis treats processes and data as separate components, object-oriented (O-O) analysis combines data and the processes that act on the data into things called objects. These objects represent actual people, things, transactions, and events that affect the system. During the system development process, analysts often use both modeling methods to gain as much information as possible

Question 9

Development Strategies

Answer 9

topics include software trends, acquisition and development alternatives, outsourcing, and formally documenting requirements for the new system. the deliverable. or end product, of the systems analysis phase is a system requirements documents, which is an overall design for the new system. in addition, each activity within the systems analysis phase has an end product and one or more milestones. project managers use various tools and techniques to coordinate people, tasks, timetables, and budgets

Question 10

Systems Analysis Skills

Answer 10

A system analyst needs strong analytical and interpersonal skills to build an accurate model of the new system

Question 11

Analytical skills

Answer 11

enable the analyst to identify a problem, evaluate the key elements, and develop a useful solution

Question 12

Interpersonal skills

Answer 12

are especially valuable to a systems analyst who must work with people at all organizational levels, balance conflicting needs of users, and communicate effectively

Question 13

Different types of fact finding techniques

Answer 13

Joint application development,
Rapid application development,
Agile methods,

Question 14

Joint Application Development

Answer 14

A popular example which is user-oriented technique for fact-finding and requirements modeling. Because it is not linked to a specific development methodology, systems developers use JAD whenever group input and interaction are desired

Question 15

User Involvement

Answer 15

Users have a vital stake in an information system and they should participate fully in the development process. many years ago, the IT development usually had sole responsibility for systems development, and users had a relatively passive role. During the development process, the IT staff would collect information from users, define system requirements, and construct the new system. At various stages of the processs the IT staff might ask users to review the design offer comments, and submit changes

Question 16

Rapid Application Development

Answer 16

Another popular user-oriented method. RAD resembles a condensed version of the entire SDLC, with users involved every step of the way. While JAD typically focuses only on fact-finding and requirements determination, RAD provides a fast-track approach to a full spectrum of system development tasks, including planning, design, construction, and implementations.

Question 17

Agile Methods

Answer 17

represent a recent trend that stresses intense interaction between system developers and users. attempt to develop a system incrementally, by building a series of prototypes and constantly adjusting them to user requirements. As the agile process continues, developers revise, extend, and merge earlier versions into final product. An agile approach emphasizes continuous feedback and each incremental step is affected by what was learned in the prior steps. An agile methods become more popular, a large community of agile-related software and services has evolved.

Question 18

agile method advantage

Answer 18

methods are very flexible and efficient in dealing with change. they are popular because they stress team interaction and reflect a set of community based values. Also, frequent deliverables constantly validate the project and reduce risk

Question 19

agile method disadvantages

Answer 19

Team members need a high levels of technical and interpersonal skills. also, a lack of structure and documentation can introduce risk factors, such as blurring of roles and responsibilities, and loss of corporate knowledge. Finally the overall project may be subject to significant change in scope as user requirements continue to evolve during the project.

Question 20

Data Flow Diagrams

Answer 20

to show how the systems stores, processes, and transforms data.
Two boxes in the DFD represent processes, each with various inputs and outputs. additional levels of information and detail are depicted in other

Question 21

System Requirement

Answer 21

a characteristic or feature that mut be included in an information system to satisfy business requirements and be acceptable to users. System requirements serve as benchmarks to measure the overall acceptability of the finished systems. system requirements fall into five general categories: outputs, inputs, processes, performance, and controls.

Question 22

Total cost of ownership

Answer 22

direct costs, systems developers must identify and document indirect expenses that contribute to the total costs of ownership

Question 23

Fact-finding techniques

Answer 23

interviews, document review, observation, surveys and questionaires, sampling, and research

Question 24

Interview Questions

Answer 24

Open-ended questions
Closed-ended questions
Range-of-response questions

Question 25

Open-ended questions

Answer 25

encourage spontaneous and unstructured responses. such questions are useful to understand a larger process or draw out the interviewee’s opinions, attitudes, or suggestions

examples
-What are users saying about the new system?
-How is this task performed?
-Why do you perform the task that way?
-How are the checks reconciled?

Question 26

Closed-ended questions

Answer 26

limit or restrict the response. Closed-ended questions are used when information that is more specific is needed, or when facts must be verified.

Examples
-How many personal computers do you have in this department?
-Do you review the reports before they are sent out?
-How many hours of training does a clerk receive?

Question 27

Range-of-response questions

Answer 27

closed-ended questions that ask the person to evaluate something by providing limited answers to specific responses or on a numeric scale. This method makes it easier to tabulate the answers and interpret the results.

Example
-On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 the lowest and 10 the highest, how effective was your training?
-How would you rate the severity of the problem: low, medium, or high?

Question 28

Questionnaire

Answer 28

also called a survey, is a document containing a number of standard question that can be sent to many individuals. Questionnaires can be used to obtain information about wide range of topics, including workloads, reports, received, volumes of transactions handled, job duties, difficulties, and opinions of how the job could be performed better or more efficiently

Question 29

Research

Answer 29

is another important fact-finding technique. Research can include the Internet, It magazines, and books to obtain background information, technical material, and news about industry trends and developments. In addition, attending professional meetings, seminars, and discussions with other IT professionals can be very helpful in problem solving

Question 30

prototypes

Answer 30

users interact with systems analysts and develop models and prototypes that represent all system processes, outputs, and inputs