Business Process Management Overview

Questions and Answers

Which of the following are structural organizational changes enabled by IT? (Select all that apply)

Rationalization of procedures (correct)

Paradigm shifts (correct)

Business process redesign (correct)

Automation (correct)

What is automation?

Increases efficiency and replaces manual tasks.

What does rationalization of procedures do?

Streamlines standard operating procedures.

What is the goal of business process redesign?

Analyze, simplify, and redesign business processes. Signup and view all the answers

What are paradigm shifts?

Rethinking the nature of business and defining new business models. Signup and view all the answers

What is business process management (BPM)?

A variety of tools and methodologies to analyze, design, and optimize processes. Signup and view all the answers

The steps in BPM are: identify processes for change, analyze existing processes, design the new process, implement the new process, and ______.

continuous measurement Signup and view all the answers

BPM tools are used to:

Create models of improved processes Signup and view all the answers

What is systems development?

Activities that go into producing an information system solution. Signup and view all the answers

What is systems analysis?

Analysis of the problem to be solved by the new system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of systems design?

Describes system specifications that will deliver functions identified during analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What does programming involve?

Translating system specifications from the design stage into software program code. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of testing in systems development?

Ensures the system produces the right results. Signup and view all the answers

What is unit testing?

Tests each program in the system separately. Signup and view all the answers

What does system testing do?

Tests the functioning of the system as a whole. Signup and view all the answers

What is acceptance testing?

Makes sure the system is ready to be used in a production setting. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four main strategies for conversions?

Parallel strategy, direct cutover, pilot study, phased approach. Signup and view all the answers

What does production and maintenance involve?

Reviewing the system to determine if revisions are needed. Signup and view all the answers

What are structured methodologies?

Techniques that are step by step and progressive. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Data Flow Diagram?

A primary tool for representing the system's component processes and flow of data. Signup and view all the answers

What does a data dictionary define?

Contents of data flows and data stores. Signup and view all the answers

What do process specifications describe?

Transformation occurring within the lowest level of data flow diagrams. Signup and view all the answers

What is a structure chart?

Top-down charts showing each level of design and relationship to other levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is object-oriented development?

An approach where an object is the basic unit of systems analysis and design. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Structural Organizational Changes Enabled by IT

Types include automation, rationalization of procedures, business process redesign, and paradigm shifts.

Automation

Increases operational efficiency by replacing manual tasks.

Rationalization of Procedures

Streamlines and optimizes standard operating procedures.
Often incorporated in continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Business Process Redesign

Involves analyzing, simplifying, and reorganizing business processes.
Focuses on workflow optimization, combination of steps, and elimination of redundancies.

Paradigm Shifts

Rethinks the fundamental nature of business.
Aims to define new business models and alter organizational structures.

Business Process Management (BPM)

Encompasses tools and methodologies for analyzing, designing, and optimizing business processes.

Steps in BPM

Identify processes needing change.
Analyze current processes.
Design the improved processes.
Implement the new processes.
Continuously measure performance post-implementation.

BPM Tools Functionality

Document existing processes and create models for improvements.
Enforce business rules and integrate systems for enhanced process support.
Verify the effectiveness of new processes and assess their impact on business performance indicators.

Systems Development

Involves activities aimed at creating information system solutions.
Key activities include systems analysis, design, programming, testing, conversion, and maintenance.

Systems Analysis

Focuses on defining the problem that the new system addresses.
Incorporates a feasibility study and establishes information requirements, with poor analysis identified as a leading cause of system failure.

Systems Design

Details specifications necessary to fulfill functions determined in analysis.
Considers managerial, organizational, and technological components.

Programming

Translates system specifications into executable software code.

Testing

Ensures system accuracy through various testing phases: unit testing, system testing, and acceptance testing.

Unit Testing

Tests each program individually to confirm correct functionality.

System Testing

Assesses the overall functioning of the complete system.

Acceptance Testing

Validates system readiness for production use.

Conversions

Process of transitioning from an old to a new system utilizing strategies like parallel strategy, direct cutover, pilot study, or phased approach.
Requires user training and detailed documentation for functionality understanding.

Production and Maintenance

Involves ongoing review and possible revisions to the system.
Maintenance includes updates to hardware, software, documentation, or procedures for error correction and efficiency improvement.

Structured Methodologies

Characterized by step-by-step techniques with a focus on process orientation.
Distinguishes between data and processes.

Data Flow Diagram

Represents system processes and data flow.
Serves as a logical model displaying information transitions, can include multiple detail levels.

Data Dictionary

Defines contents of data flows and stores within the system.

Process Specifications

Describe transformations at the lowest levels of data flow diagrams.

Structure Chart

Offers a top-down view of design structure, showing interrelations and hierarchy of levels.

Object-Oriented Development

Centered around objects as primary analytic and design units.
Features concepts of class and inheritance, promoting more iterative and incremental development compared to traditional methods.

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Description

This quiz explores the structural organizational changes enabled by information technology, focusing on automation, rationalization of procedures, business process redesign, and paradigm shifts. Learn about the steps in business process management (BPM) and how these strategies can optimize operational efficiency.