Class 5 - System Acquisition Flashcards
What is the systems development life cycle (SDLC) (in words)?
Is the process of creating or modifying information systems to meet the needs of its users.
Viewed as the foundation for all systems development.
What are the phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle?
Planning Phase
Analysis Phase
Design Phase - Selection
Implementation Phase - Configuration
Testing Phase
Maintenance
What does the ‘Planning Phase’ for SDLC begin with?
The realization of a need for a new or better information system
Involves summarizing the business needs with a high level view of the intended project
What are the things to consider when ‘Presenting a new business case’?
State strategic benefits (productivity gains or cost avoidance)
Identify and quantify the cost savings of the new system
Estimate payback schedule or shows the projected ROI
Identify intangible benefits (e.g. improved morale)
The ‘Analysis Phase’ of the SDLC involves defining:
What system should do
How users will interact with system
Access Control
Information criteria the system should meet
List some of the “Develop or Acquire” choice factors.
The date the system needs to be functional
Cost to develop and cost to acquire
Resources (staff and hardware) available
License characteristics and maintenance cost (yearly, one time)
Sociability of the new system
Compatibility with strategic business plan
Compatibility with risk appetite and regulatory compliance needs
Compatibility with organizational IT infrastructure
Likely future requirements for changes in functionality offered by the system.
What does the ‘Design Phase’ of the SDLC involve?
Describing in technical, objective, graphical details the desired features of the system that it uncovered in the analysis phase.
What are some examples for a Design Activity?
Describe inputs and outputs (screen design, reports)
Determine process steps and computation rules
Determine data file and database system design
Develop test plans (levels: unit, subsystem, integration, interface, load, stress, security, backup, recovery)
Develop data conversion plans from old to new system
Software baselining (Scope creep, 25%)
What does the ‘Implementation Phase’ of the SDLC involve?
Coding and moving system to a finished product
Programmers and system analysists build the system
What are some key activities of the ‘Implementation Phase’
Coding and developing program and system-level documentation
Debugging and testing the program developed
Developing programs to convert data from old to new system
Creating user procedures to handle transition in the new system
Ensuring modifications are documented and applied accurately.
Creating meta files
What happens in the ‘Testing Phase’?
Verifies and validates that application performs functions as it has been designed
- Unit testing
- Interface or integration testing
- System testing
- Final Acceptance testing
What happens in the final phase of the SDLC, ‘Maintenance Phase’?
Making changes, corrections, additions, and upgrades (generally smaller in scope) on a regular basis to ensure the system continues to meet the business requirements that have been set out for it
What is project management?
Planning, organizing, supervising and directing of an IT project
What is a project manager?
Is the lead member of the project team that is responsible for the project
What’s a project sponsor?
Will often be a senior executive in the company who takes responsibility for the success of the project
