CHAPTER 4:

Question 1

System Planning Phase 2 Activities

Answer 1

The systems planning phase is the fundamental process of understanding why an information system should be built and determining how the project team will create it.
Project Initiation (Project Identification)
Preliminary Investigation (Feasibility Study)

Question 2

When should the Project Initiation
begin??

Answer 2

when someone in the organization identifies that a need to improve an existing system or new system is needed to improve business operation

Question 3

how did the ideas for the Project Initiation
come?

Answer 3

Most of the ideas come from outside the IT department, such as marketing, accounting and ect…, come as form of system request

Question 4

what is a system request?

Answer 4

A formal way of asking for assistance from the information systems department

Question 5

System Request Might propose:x

Answer 5

enhancements for an existing system,
the correction of problems
the development of an entire new information system

Question 6

Systems Request Forms 6

Answer 6

Streamlines the request process
Ensures consistency
Easy to understand
Includes clear instructions
Indicates what supporting documents are needed
Most companies use online system request forms that users submitted electronically

Question 7

why large companies use Systems Review Committee

Answer 7

Most large companies use a systems review committee to evaluate systems request

Question 8

Disadvantages of Systems Review Committee

Answer 8

Action on requests must wait until the committee meets
Members might favor projects requested by their own departments
Internal political differences could delay important decisions

Question 9

Reason for System Request

Answer 9

Improve service
Better performance
more information
stringer control
reduce cost

Question 10

Factors affecting System Request internal

Answer 10

Top management executives
user control
IT department
Existing System

Question 11

Factors affecting System Request external

Answer 11

Software and hardware vendors
technology
suppliers
customers
competitors
the economy
government

Question 12

Problem Statement

Answer 12

After understanding the project initiation, the system analyst has to defines the problems and objectives of the system.
These will form the foundation of determining what needs to be accomplished by the system

Question 13

what is the preliminary Investigation

Answer 13

A systems analyst conducts a preliminary investigation to study the systems request and recommend specific action

Question 14

what is the purpose of Preliminary Investigation

Answer 14

gather enough information to determine if the information or problems specified in the systems request warrant

Question 15

What information does an analyst gather during the preliminary investigation?

Answer 15

The analyst gather facts about the problem or opportunity, project scope and constraints, project benefits and estimated development time and cost.
however, the end of this step the report to the management

Question 16

Defining Project Objectives

Answer 16

After the objectives are stated, the relative importance of the issues or objectives must be determined.
The identification of the most critical objectives is best done by users

Question 17

Project Objectives

Answer 17

Problem Statements or issues are followed by a series of objectives, or goals, that match the issues point by point. Issues are the current situation; objectives are the desired situation.

The objectives may be very specific or worded using a general statement.

A constraint can involve hardware, software, time, policy, law, or cost. For example:
The system must operate with existing hardware, that is a constraint that affects potential solutions.
The order entry system must accept input from 15 remote sites.
The human resources information system must produce statistics on hiring practices.
The new Web site must be operating by March 1.

Question 18

what is Determining the project scope

Answer 18

defining the specific boundaries, or extent, of the project
Boundaries of the preliminary investigation.

Question 19

examples of the project scope Very general

Answer 19

Payroll is not being produced accurately.
The project scope is to modify the accounts receivable system.

Question 20

examples of the project scope Very specific:

Answer 20

Overtime pay is not being calculated correctly for production workers on the second shift at the Yorktown plant.
The project scope is to allow customers to inquire online about account balances and recent transactions.

Question 21

Keys to project success

Answer 21

Satisfy business requirements
Meet users’ needs
Stay within budget
Be completed on time

Question 22

Some reasons for project failure 11

Answer 22

Unclear requirements, targets, or scope
Shortcuts or sloppy work
Poor design choices
Insufficient testing or test procedures
Lack of software change control
Changes in culture, funding or objectives
Unrealistic cost estimates
Poor monitoring and control of progress
Inadequate reaction to early signs of problems
Failure to recognize activity independencies
Personality conflicts and employee turnover