Systems Analysis and Design

Question 1

What are the 6 phases of problem-solving procedure for examining and improving an information system?

Answer 1

Preliminary investigation
Systems analysis
System design
System development
Systems implementation
Systems maintenance

Question 2

people that study an organization’s systems to determine what actions to take and how to use computer technology to assist them

Answer 2

systems analysts

Question 3

determines the need of an information systems

Answer 3

preliminary investigation (p1)

Question 4

preliminary investigation is requested by ________ or ________ who wants something done that is not presently being done

Answer 4

an end user or a manager

Question 5

what are the tasks being done on preliminary investigation?

Answer 5

1. defining the problem
2. suggesting alternative solutions
3. preparing a short report

Question 6

examining whatever current information system is in use and determining what information is needed, by whom, when and why is accomplished by interviewing and making observations

Answer 6

defining the problem

Question 7

suggest some possible plans as alternatives to the present arrangement

Answer 7

suggesting alternative systems

Question 8

the systems analyst writes a report summarizing the results of the preliminary investigation and suggest alternative systems and may also include schedules for further development of the project

Answer 8

preparing a short report

Question 9

a short report summarizing the results of the p1 will be presented to the ___ along with a recommendation to continue or discontinue the project

Answer 9

higher management

Question 10

management then decides whether to finance the second phase (t/f)

Answer 10

true

Question 11

data is collected about the present system and is analyzed to determine new requirements

Answer 11

systems analysis

Question 12

it expands the data gathered during phase 1 and adds details about how the current system works

Answer 12

gathering data

Question 13

gathering data on systems analysis is obtained from:

Answer 13

observation,
interviews,
questionnaires,
studying docs that describes the formal lines of authority and standard operating procedures

Question 14

learn how information currently flows and to pinpoint why it isn’t flowing appropriately

Answer 14

analyzing the data

Question 15

apply ____ to the existing arrangement to see how workable it is

Answer 15

logic (analyzing the data)

Question 16

tools to be used in analysis phase of system analysis

Answer 16

top-down analysis method
grid charts
system flow charts
data flow diagrams
automated design tools

Question 17

used to identify the top-level components of a complex system

each component is then broken down into smaller and smaller components

this approach makes each component easier to analyze and deal with

Answer 17

top-down analysis method

Question 18

shows the relationship between input and output documents

Answer 18

grid charts

Question 19

shows the flow of input data to processing and finally to output, or distribution of information

Answer 19

system flowchart

Question 20

shows the data or information flow within an information system

the data is traced from its origin through processing storage and input

Answer 20

data flow diagrams

Question 21

are software packages that evaluate hardware and software alternatives according to requirements given by the systems analyst

Answer 21

automated design tools

Question 22

automated design tools is also called as

Answer 22

COMPUTER-AIDED SOFTWARE ENGINEERING (CASE) tools

Question 23

the systems analysts stage is typically documented in a report for higher management

describes the current information, the requirements for a new system, and a possible development schedule

management studies the report and decides whether to continue with the project (if approved, proceed to phase 3)

Answer 23

documenting system analysis

Question 24

systems design consists of three tasks namely

Answer 24

designing alternative systems
selecting the best system
writing a systems design report

Question 25

more than one design can be developed to meet the information needs

Answer 25

designing alternative systems

Question 26

system designers evaluate each alternative system for feasibility namely:

Answer 26

economic feasibility technical feasibility operational feasibility

Question 27

will the costs of the new system be justified by the benefits it promises? how long will it take for the new system to pay for itself?

Answer 27

economic feasibility

Question 28

are reliable hardware, software, and training available to make the system work? if not, can they be obtained?

Answer 28

technical feasibility

Question 29

can the system actually be made to operate in the organization, or will people-employees, managers, clients-resist it?

Answer 29

operational feasibility

Question 30

(selecting the best system) | when choosing the best design, consider these four questions:

Answer 30

1. will the system work with the organization's overall information system? 2. will the system be flexible enough so it can be modified in the future? 3. can it be made secure against unauthorized use? 4. are the benefits worth the costs?

Question 31

it is prepared for higher management and describes the alternative designs it presents the costs versus the benefits and outlines the effect of alternative designs on the organization it usually concludes by recommending one of the alternatives

Answer 31

writing the systems design report

Question 32

systems development involves three steps namely

Answer 32

acquiring software acquiring hardware testing the new system

Question 33

(acquiring software) application software for the new information system can be obtained in two ways namely:

Answer 33

it can be purchased as off-the-shelf packaged software and possibly modified it can be custom-designed

Question 34

the equipment needed and the places where they are to be installed must be determined and is a very critical area

Answer 34

acquiring hardware

Question 35

after the software and equipment have been installed, the system should be tested sample data is fed into the system the processed information is then evaluated to see whether results are correct testing may take several months if the new system is complex

Answer 35

testing the new system

Question 36

also called system conversion

Answer 36

systems implementation

Question 37

it is the process of changing - converting - from the old system to the new one and training people to use the new system

Answer 37

systems implementation (p5)

Question 38

types of conversion

Answer 38

direct parallel pilot phased

Question 39

the conversion is done simply by abandoning the old and starting up the new this can be risky if anything is still wrong with the new system, the old system is no longer available to fall back on

Answer 39

direct approach

Question 40

old and new systems are operated side by side until the new one proves to be reliable this approach is low risk if the new sytem fails, the organization can just switch to the system to keep going

Answer 40

parallel approach

Question 41

the new system is tried out in only one part of the organization less expensive than the parallel approach somewhat riskier

Answer 41

pilot approach

Question 42

the new system is implemented gradually over a period of time the entire implementation process is broken down into parts or phases implementation begins with the first phase, and once it is successfully implemented, the second phase begins this process continues until all phases are operating smoothly expensive but least risky

Answer 42

phased approach

Question 43

in general, these two approaches are the favored methods; namely

Answer 43

pilot - when there are many people in an organization performing similar operations phased - more appropriate for organizations which people are performing different operations

Question 44

training

Answer 44

training people is important, one of the most commonly overlooked activities

Question 45

a very important, ongoing activity

Answer 45

systems maintenance

Question 46

2 parts of systems maintenance

Answer 46

systems audit, | periodic evaluation

Question 47

system's performance is compared to the original design specifications

Answer 47

systems audit

Question 48

the new information system is further modified, if necessary all system should be evaluated from time to time to determine whether they are meeting the goals and providing the service they are supposed to

Answer 48

periodic evaluation

Question 49

two alternative approaches that require much less time:

Answer 49

prototyping | rapid applications development

Question 50

means to build a model or prototype that can be modified before the actual system is installed the development time is shorter however, it is sometimes more difficult to manage the project and to control costs

Answer 50

prototyping

Question 51

involves the use of powerful development software, small specialized teams, and highly trained personnel

Answer 51

rapid applications development (RAD)

Question 52

they plan and design new systems or reorganize a company's computer resources to be utilize them

Answer 52

systems analysts

Question 53

systems analysts can expect to earn an annual salary of:

Answer 53

$50k to $64k

Question 54

opportunities for advancement of systems analysts include positions as

Answer 54

chief technology officer or other managerial opportunities