Chapter 5: Systems development

Question 1

Which of the following regarding the system design phase is correct?

a. The determination of outputs precedes that of inputs.
b. The determination of inputs precedes that of outputs.
c. The determination of inputs and outputs should be conducted simultaneously.
d. Order is not relevant when determining inputs and outputs.

Answer 1

Which of the following regarding the system design phase is correct?

*a. The determination of outputs precedes that of inputs.

b. The determination of inputs precedes that of outputs.
c. The determination of inputs and outputs should be conducted simultaneously.
d. Order is not relevant when determining inputs and outputs.

Question 2

The systems development life cycle commences with the stage of:

a. implementation.
b. investigation.
c. analysis.
d. design.

Answer 2

The systems development life cycle commences with the stage of:

a. implementation.

b. investigation.

c. analysis.
d. design.

Question 3

Which of the following must be involved in each stage of systems development to ensure that adequate internal controls are built into the new system as it is designed?

a. Executives.
b. Internal auditors.
c. External auditors.
d. All the options are correct.

Answer 3

Which of the following must be involved in each stage of systems development to ensure that adequate internal controls are built into the new system as it is designed?

a. Executives.

*b. Internal auditors.

c. External auditors.
d. All the options are correct.

Question 4

In many cases, the accountant or internal auditor will have to use logical and physical dataflow diagrams and systems flowcharts to document their systems because:

a. systems documentations simply do not exist.
b. existing systems documentations are no longer up to date.
c. they want to understand what the current system does and how the system needs to be changed.
d. all the options are correct.

Answer 4

In many cases, the accountant or internal auditor will have to use logical and physical dataflow diagrams and systems flowcharts to document their systems because:

a. systems documentations simply do not exist.
b. existing systems documentations are no longer up to date.
c. they want to understand what the current system does and how the system needs to be changed.

*d. all the options are correct.

Question 5

Answer 5

Question 6

What is the advantage of adopting the system development lifecycle (SDLC) approach?

a. Development is very rapid.
b. It is the cheapest approach.
c. The final system is well documented.
d. It is flexible if the user changes the requirements.

Answer 6

What is the advantage of adopting the system development lifecycle (SDLC) approach?

a. Development is very rapid.
b. It is the cheapest approach.

*c. The final system is well documented.

d. It is flexible if the user changes the requirements.

Question 7

Technical feasibility does not involve:

a. assessing how well the organisation’s existing technology infrastructure meets the requirements of the proposed system.
b. assessing what new technology is required to meet the demand of the proposed system.
c. assessing whether the organisation has enough technology capability to maintain the system.
d. assessing different design options for the proposed system and weighing them up against the organisation’s existing technical resources and the resource that are available for purchase.

Answer 7

Technical feasibility does not involve:

a. assessing how well the organisation’s existing technology infrastructure meets the requirements of the proposed system.
b. assessing what new technology is required to meet the demand of the proposed system.

*c. assessing whether the organisation has enough technology capability to maintain the system.

d. assessing different design options for the proposed system and weighing them up against the organisation’s existing technical resources and the resource that are available for purchase.

Question 8

After the completion of activity 3, the project is progressing:

a. ahead of schedule.
b. behind schedule.
c. on schedule.
d. cannot be determined based on information available.

Answer 8

After the completion of activity 3, the project is progressing:

a. ahead of schedule.

b. behind schedule.

c. on schedule.
d. cannot be determined based on information available.

Question 9

Activity 2 was completed:

a. on time.
b. ahead of time.
c. behind time.
d. cannot be determined from the information available.

Answer 9

Activity 2 was completed:

a. on time.

b. ahead of time.
c. behind time.
d. cannot be determined from the information available.

Question 10

Organisations face the need for systems development for various reasons. Which of the following is one of these reasons?

a. New accounting requirements.
b. A new strategic opportunity has been identified that will allow the business to improve its strategic position.
c. New regulatory requirements.
d. All the options are correct.

Answer 10

Organisations face the need for systems development for various reasons. Which of the following is one of these reasons?

a. New accounting requirements.
b. A new strategic opportunity has been identified that will allow the business to improve its strategic position.
c. New regulatory requirements.

*d. All the options are correct.

Question 11

The task of selecting the most feasible alternative normally rests with:

a. board of directors.
b. the IT department.
c. the systems’ development steering committee.
d. the operation managers.

Answer 11

The task of selecting the most feasible alternative normally rests with:

a. board of directors.
b. the IT department.

*c. the systems’ development steering committee.

d. the operation managers.

Question 12

A successful implementation of an ERP system is:

a. complex.
b. time-consuming.
c. expensive.
d. all the options are correct.

Answer 12

A successful implementation of an ERP system is:

a. complex.
b. time-consuming.
c. expensive.

*d. all the options are correct.

Question 13

A document that outlines the specifications for the new system and is sent to potential vendors can be a:

a. request for tender.
b. request for proposal.
c. request for quotations.
d. all the options are correct.

Answer 13

A document that outlines the specifications for the new system and is sent to potential vendors can be a:

a. request for tender.
b. request for proposal.
c. request for quotations.

*d. all the options are correct.

Question 14

Prototyping has the advantage of:

a. providing a structured development process.
b. providing thorough documentation.
c. strongly involving users in the development process.
d. ensuring users and technicians agree on design features.

Answer 14

Prototyping has the advantage of:

a. providing a structured development process.
b. providing thorough documentation.

c. strongly involving users in the development process.

d. ensuring users and technicians agree on design features.

Question 15

Answer 15

Question 16

Answer 16

Question 17

Answer 17

Question 18

Answer 18

Question 19

Gantt charts can be used to analyse:

a. financial feasibility.
b. technical feasibility.
c. schedule feasibility.
d. strategic feasibility.

Answer 19

Gantt charts can be used to analyse:

a. financial feasibility.
b. technical feasibility.

*c. schedule feasibility.

d. strategic feasibility.

Question 20

Answer 20

Question 21

A new system:

a. challenges worker competency.
b. may be resisted by its users.
c. can make users feel that their jobs are threatened.
d. all the options are correct.

Answer 21

A new system:

a. challenges worker competency.
b. may be resisted by its users.
c. can make users feel that their jobs are threatened.

*d. all the options are correct.

Question 22

Answer 22

Question 23

CASE systems are mainly used for:

a. source code design and user documentation.
b. project scheduling and milestone specification.
c. activity costing and resource planning.
d. ensuring the fit between the system being developed and the business requirements.

Answer 23

CASE systems are mainly used for:

*a. source code design and user documentation.

b. project scheduling and milestone specification.
c. activity costing and resource planning.
d. ensuring the fit between the system being developed and the business requirements.

Question 24

Persons making requirement analysis of a new system should:

a. try to accommodate the needs of all users.
b. adhere to the systems’ development scope.
c. concentrate on what the system needs to do rather than the impact of organisational structure and individual roles brought about the new system.
d. all the options are correct.

Answer 24

Persons making requirement analysis of a new system should:

a. try to accommodate the needs of all users.

*b. adhere to the systems’ development scope.

c. concentrate on what the system needs to do rather than the impact of organisational structure and individual roles brought about the new system.
d. all the options are correct.

Question 25

Making requirement analysis of a new system:

a. is purely a technical task.
b. cannot be a social task.
c. is both a technical task and a social task.
d. is neither a technical task nor a social task.

Answer 25

Making requirement analysis of a new system:

a. is purely a technical task.
b. cannot be a social task.

*c. is both a technical task and a social task.

d. is neither a technical task nor a social task.

Question 26

Which of the following statements regarding a Gantt chart is not true?

a. A Gantt chart is a graphical way of planning and controlling the progress of a systems’ development project.
b. The Gantt chart depicts the time frame for the project along the y-axis and the activities that are part of the project along the x-axis.
c. Gantt chart identifies the major activities that occur within the project.
d. Gantt chart identifies the time frame for each activity that occurs within the project.

Answer 26

Which of the following statements regarding a Gantt chart is not true?

a. A Gantt chart is a graphical way of planning and controlling the progress of a systems’ development project.

*b. The Gantt chart depicts the time frame for the project along the y-axis and the activities that are part of the project along the x-axis.

c. Gantt chart identifies the major activities that occur within the project.
d. Gantt chart identifies the time frame for each activity that occurs within the project.

Question 27

Which of the following is not a level of testing?

a. Stub level testing
b. Unit level testing
c. System level testing
d. Enterprise level testing

Answer 27

Which of the following is not a level of testing?

a. Stub level testing
b. Unit level testing
c. System level testing

d. Enterprise level testing

Question 28

During implementation, testing of the software and training of the users can be carried out in parallel until the final acceptance testing which the users have to do after they are trained. It is predicted to take 10 days to do program testing, 5 to test the system modules and 5 for acceptance testing. It is expected to take 22 days to train users. How long is the critical path?

a. 22 days.
b. 20 days.
c. 25 days.
d. 27 days.

Answer 28

During implementation, testing of the software and training of the users can be carried out in parallel until the final acceptance testing which the users have to do after they are trained. It is predicted to take 10 days to do program testing, 5 to test the system modules and 5 for acceptance testing. It is expected to take 22 days to train users. How long is the critical path?

a. 22 days.
b. 20 days.
c. 25 days.

*d. 27 days.

Question 29

Which of the following is a typical problem of systems development?

a. Technical skills.
b. Escalation of commitment.
c. Interpersonal skills.
d. All the options are correct.

Answer 29

Which of the following is a typical problem of systems development?

a. Technical skills.
b. Escalation of commitment.
c. Interpersonal skills.

*d. All the options are correct.

Question 30

Why is the system development lifecycle (SDLC) called a ‘lifecycle’?

a. Once maintenance can no longer keep the system effective the process restarts from the beginning of investigation.
b. The resulting system will last for the whole life of the company.
c. The new system evolves and grows like a living organism.
d. If changes are required, it is easy to cycle round the stages again.

Answer 30

Why is the system development lifecycle (SDLC) called a ‘lifecycle’?

*a. Once maintenance can no longer keep the system effective the process restarts from the beginning of investigation.

b. The resulting system will last for the whole life of the company.
c. The new system evolves and grows like a living organism.
d. If changes are required, it is easy to cycle round the stages again.

Question 31

The ability to manage different groups of people, assimilate differences of opinion and manage conflict towards a workable solution that benefits the project as a whole is:

a. management skills.
b. team skills.
c. people skills.
d. problem-solving skills.

Answer 31

The ability to manage different groups of people, assimilate differences of opinion and manage conflict towards a workable solution that benefits the project as a whole is:

a. management skills.
b. team skills.

*c. people skills.

d. problem-solving skills.

Question 32

Answer 32

Question 33

Answer 33

Question 34

Which of the following statements regarding accounting systems is not true is not true?

a. Large organisations will find simple accounting system hard to satisfy their needs.
b. ERP systems are also suitable for small organisations.
c. Medium-sized organisations are better off using mid-range accounting systems.
d. None of the options is correct.

Answer 34

Which of the following statements regarding accounting systems is not true is not true?

a. Large organisations will find simple accounting system hard to satisfy their needs.

*b. ERP systems are also suitable for small organisations.

c. Medium-sized organisations are better off using mid-range accounting systems.
d. None of the options is correct.

Question 35

Answer 35

Question 36

Service providers (SPs) are an attractive option because:

a. all SPs are reliable.
b. businesses avoid having to invest large amounts in applications.
c. they give the organisation control over application development.
d. they provide applications that service the business’s specific requirements.

Answer 36

Service providers (SPs) are an attractive option because:

a. all SPs are reliable.

b. businesses avoid having to invest large amounts in applications.

c. they give the organisation control over application development.
d. they provide applications that service the business’s specific requirements.

Question 37

Systems problems and opportunities cannot be identified through:

a. user and stakeholder feedback.
b. a periodic review of system operations.
c. observing the system in action by watching users.
d. examining system documentations.

Answer 37

Systems problems and opportunities cannot be identified through:

a. user and stakeholder feedback.
b. a periodic review of system operations.
c. observing the system in action by watching users.

*d. examining system documentations.

Question 38

Which of the following statements regarding in-house-developed programs is true?

a. In-house-developed programs are often better than commercial off-the-shelf programs.
b. In-house-developed programs are often cheaper than commercial off-the-shelf programs.
c. In-house-developed programs often have less strategic alignment issues than commercial off-the-shelf programs.
d. In-house-developed programs are often chosen over commercial off-the-shelf programs.

Answer 38

Which of the following statements regarding in-house-developed programs is true?

a. In-house-developed programs are often better than commercial off-the-shelf programs.
b. In-house-developed programs are often cheaper than commercial off-the-shelf programs.

*c. In-house-developed programs often have less strategic alignment issues than commercial off-the-shelf programs.

d. In-house-developed programs are often chosen over commercial off-the-shelf programs.

Question 39

Answer 39

Question 40

The knowledge about how the business operates, what is done and who does it is:

a. technical skill.
b. people skill.
c. operation skill.
d. process skill.

Answer 40

The knowledge about how the business operates, what is done and who does it is:

a. technical skill.
b. people skill.
c. operation skill.

*d. process skill.

Question 41

Answer 41

Question 42

The two levels of accounting software are:

a. mid-range and advanced.
b. mid-range and simple.
c. simple and advanced.
d. professional and unprofessional.

Answer 42

The two levels of accounting software are:

a. mid-range and advanced.

*b. mid-range and simple.

c. simple and advanced.
d. professional and unprofessional.

Question 43

Strategic feasibility refers to:

a. whether the proposed system can generate strategic benefits.
b. how well the proposed system alternative meets its strategic position.
c. how well the proposed systems’ development alternative fits with the organisation’s existing operating environment and strategy.
d. all the options are correct.

Answer 43

Strategic feasibility refers to:

a. whether the proposed system can generate strategic benefits.
b. how well the proposed system alternative meets its strategic position.
c. how well the proposed systems’ development alternative fits with the organisation’s existing operating environment and strategy.

*d. all the options are correct.

Question 44

Which of the following statement is not true?

a. A new system should reserve a reasonable amount of computing power and data storage capacity for future needs.
b. Identifying the key events that occur within a business process and how well the current system handles these events can be a powerful way to identify problems in the current system.
c. Adding new and more powerful hardware to a system can always improve the system’s performance.
d. Sometimes a new software system, even if it still operates on existing hardware, can bring about significant increase in transaction processing speed.

Answer 44

Which of the following statement is not true?

a. A new system should reserve a reasonable amount of computing power and data storage capacity for future needs.
b. Identifying the key events that occur within a business process and how well the current system handles these events can be a powerful way to identify problems in the current system.

*c. Adding new and more powerful hardware to a system can always improve the system’s performance.

d. Sometimes a new software system, even if it still operates on existing hardware, can bring about significant increase in transaction processing speed.

Question 45

In terms of systems development management tools, CASE stands for:

a. Computerised Analytical Software for Engineering.
b. Computer-Aided Software Engineering.
c. Computerised Analysis and Schedule Evaluation.
d. Computer-Aided Scheduling and Engineering.

Answer 45

In terms of systems development management tools, CASE stands for:

a. Computerised Analytical Software for Engineering.

*b. Computer-Aided Software Engineering.

c. Computerised Analysis and Schedule Evaluation.
d. Computer-Aided Scheduling and Engineering.

Question 46

Which of the following tools is used for monitoring the development of a new information system against the planned time frame?

a. PERT chart.
b. Microsoft Project.
c. Gantt chart.
d. All the options are correct.

Answer 46

Which of the following tools is used for monitoring the development of a new information system against the planned time frame?

a. PERT chart.
b. Microsoft Project.
c. Gantt chart.

*d. All the options are correct.

Question 47

The (request for proposal) RFP:

a. details the requests of users to be included in the system.
b. lists the requirements identified in the requirement’s investigation stage.
c. details requirements for potential vendors to follow.
d. offers guidance about the existing systems operations and the required changes.

Answer 47

The (request for proposal) RFP:

a. details the requests of users to be included in the system.
b. lists the requirements identified in the requirement’s investigation stage.

c. details requirements for potential vendors to follow.

d. offers guidance about the existing systems operations and the required changes.

Question 48

When considering new opportunities for technology within the organisation, it is critical to consider:

a. whether the technology is the latest available.
b. whether the technology aligns with the overall organisational strategy.
c. whether the technology is user-friendly.
d. all the above.

Answer 48

When considering new opportunities for technology within the organisation, it is critical to consider:

a. whether the technology is the latest available.

*b. whether the technology aligns with the overall organisational strategy.

c. whether the technology is user-friendly.
d. all the above.

Question 49

When considering new opportunities for technology within the organisation, it is critical to consider:

a. whether the technology is the latest available.
b. whether the technology aligns with the overall organisational strategy.
c. whether the technology is user-friendly.
d. all the options are correct.

Answer 49

When considering new opportunities for technology within the organisation, it is critical to consider:

a. whether the technology is the latest available.

*b. whether the technology aligns with the overall organisational strategy.

c. whether the technology is user-friendly.
d. all the options are correct.

Question 50

How are the end users involved during the prototyping approach to systems development?

a. Users work with the modules as they are produced.
b. Users provide feedback which is used to improve the functionality.
c. Users can refine their requirements as they experience the modules that have been built.
d. All the options are correct.

Answer 50

How are the end users involved during the prototyping approach to systems development?

a. Users work with the modules as they are produced.
b. Users provide feedback which is used to improve the functionality.
c. Users can refine their requirements as they experience the modules that have been built.

*d. All the options are correct.

Question 51

The systems’ development project requires a mix of:

a. technical, people, and process skills.
b. strategic and functional skills.
c. communication and operational skills.
d. technical, operational, and communication skills.

Answer 51

The systems’ development project requires a mix of:

*a. technical, people, and process skills.

b. strategic and functional skills.
c. communication and operational skills.
d. technical, operational, and communication skills.

Question 52

Feasibility analysis does not involve determining whether:

a. the new system costs too much.
b. the users within the organisation will accept the new system.
c. the new system can be built within a specific period.
d. the legal environment is suitable for the new system.

Answer 52

Feasibility analysis does not involve determining whether:

a. the new system costs too much.

*b. the users within the organisation will accept the new system.

c. the new system can be built within a specific period.
d. the legal environment is suitable for the new system.

Question 53

Which of the following cannot be used to explain escalation of commitment?

a. Agency theory.
b. Self-justification theory.
c. Prospect theory.
d. Information theory.

Answer 53

Which of the following cannot be used to explain escalation of commitment?

a. Agency theory.
b. Self-justification theory.
c. Prospect theory.

*d. Information theory.

Question 54

An organisation decides to change its business focus and shift to another industry. As a result, a new information system is needed. Which of the following system implementation approach is most appropriate?

a. Direct conversion.
b. Parallel conversion.
c. Phased-in conversion.
d. None of the options is correct.

Answer 54

An organisation decides to change its business focus and shift to another industry. As a result, a new information system is needed. Which of the following system implementation approach is most appropriate?

*a. Direct conversion.

b. Parallel conversion.
c. Phased-in conversion.
d. None of the options is correct.

Question 55

Normally, systems design can take two perspectives:

a. the software perspective and the hardware perspective.
b. the logical perspective and the physical perspective.
c. the internal perspective and the external perspective.
d. the technical perspective and the social perspective.

Answer 55

Normally, systems design can take two perspectives:

a. the software perspective and the hardware perspective.

*b. the logical perspective and the physical perspective.

c. the internal perspective and the external perspective.
d. the technical perspective and the social perspective.

Question 56

Answer 56

Question 57

Building in internal controls after the systems design phase is a _______ process compared to building them in at the time the systems’ development occurs.

a. costly but efficient
b. inexpensive but inefficient
c. costly and inefficient
d. inexpensive and efficient

Answer 57

Building in internal controls after the systems design phase is a _______ process compared to building them in at the time the systems’ development occurs.

a. costly but efficient
b. inexpensive but inefficient

*c. costly and inefficient

d. inexpensive and efficient

Question 58

Answer 58

Question 59

Answer 59

Question 60

Which is the highest level of system testing?

a. Stub level.
b. System level.
c. Unit level.
d. Firm level.

Answer 60

Which is the highest level of system testing?

a. Stub level.

*b. System level.

c. Unit level.
d. Firm level.

Question 61

The time taken to complete activity 2:

a. was more than expected.
b. was less than expected.
c. was as expected.
d. cannot be determined from the information available.

Answer 61

The time taken to complete activity 2:

a. was more than expected.

b. was less than expected.

c. was as expected.
d. cannot be determined from the information available.

Question 62

Which of the following is not an alternative systems’ development approach?

a. Prototyping.
b. Agile methods.
c. Extreme programming.
d. All the above.

Answer 62

Which of the following is not an alternative systems’ development approach?

a. Prototyping.
b. Agile methods.

*c. Extreme programming.

d. All the above.

Question 63

Customers complain to an organisation about a system that bills them incorrectly. As a result, the organisation decided to implement a new billing system. This is an example of identifying system development opportunities through:

a. user and stakeholder feedback.
b. a periodic review of system operations.
c. observing the system in action by watching users.
d. all the options are correct.

Answer 63

Customers complain to an organisation about a system that bills them incorrectly. As a result, the organisation decided to implement a new billing system. This is an example of identifying system development opportunities through:

*a. user and stakeholder feedback.

b. a periodic review of system operations.
c. observing the system in action by watching users.
d. all the options are correct.