CH 11

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of agile methodologies in comparison to the waterfall approach?

Developing detailed long-term plans

Prioritizing adaptability and speed (correct)

Minimizing customer involvement

Ensuring maximum documentation

Which of the following is a key characteristic of agile methodologies?

Daily face-to-face meetings (correct)

Rigid project timelines with no flexibility

Emphasis on individual work rather than teamwork

Extensive use of predictive analytics

How do agile teams typically organize their work?

By chunking work into manageable components (correct)

By assigning tasks based on seniority

By creating elaborate documentation before work begins

By setting indefinite deadlines for each phase

In agile methodology, what is the role of customer involvement?

Customers are involved throughout the project development Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of testing within agile methodologies?

Testing is integrated into every project phase Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of the system development life cycle (SDLC)?

To outline phases of software design and implementation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an advantage of custom software development?

High degree of customization for specific needs Signup and view all the answers

What does open source software primarily offer?

Opportunities for collaboration and community development Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary risk associated with end-user development?

Increased security vulnerabilities Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant disadvantage of acquiring off-the-shelf software?

Typically requires customization Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the agile approach to software development?

Regular iterations with user feedback Signup and view all the answers

Why is manager involvement in information systems crucial?

Firms' success heavily depends on software application choices Signup and view all the answers

What is a commonly cited benefit of using DevOps in software development?

Faster deployment and updates Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the process of implementing a new system?

Investigation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of feasibility does NOT evaluate the viability of the technology itself?

Operational feasibility Signup and view all the answers

During which phase do developers create the structure of the system?

System Design Signup and view all the answers

What is the main outcome of the System Analysis step?

Systems requirements document Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of the installation step during implementation?

Change management and user training Signup and view all the answers

What must be done if an existing system is replaced during installation?

Data migration Signup and view all the answers

In the programming phase, what is prioritized alongside translating the software design?

Clear and detailed documentation Signup and view all the answers

What is addressed during the maintenance phase of the implementation process?

Correcting errors and making enhancements Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of outsourcing software development?

Accessing skilled professionals without hiring internally Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is emphasized in the systems selection process?

Investigating competing products and requirements Signup and view all the answers

What does the RFP stand for in the context of system selection?

Request for Proposal Signup and view all the answers

During which phase does the selection committee compile and distribute the RFP?

Definition Phase Signup and view all the answers

What is a key activity during the system analysis stage of the selection process?

Eliciting specific functionalities of the required system Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary prerequisite for delivering needed information processing functionalities?

Generating the IT core Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes custom design and development?

Creating a software application tailored for the organization’s specific needs Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the advantages of custom software development?

Flexibility to mold the software to fit organizational needs Signup and view all the answers

Which approach allows organizations to use software applications created directly by end users?

End-user development Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of purchasing software from a vendor?

Economically attractive due to economies of scale Signup and view all the answers

The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is primarily concerned with which aspect of a project?

Reducing risk and uncertainty in system design and development Signup and view all the answers

In which phase of the Systems Development Life Cycle is the focus on identifying system features?

Definition Phase Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of large software vendors?

Evidence of high quality through large testing budgets and installations Signup and view all the answers

What might necessitate custom development of software for an organization?

Unique initiative with no market product available Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is not typically associated with system selection and acquisition?

Long lead times for development Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of formulating evaluation criteria in the vendor selection process?

To ensure consistent assessment across all proposals Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to compile a short list of vendors?

To avoid lengthy evaluations of unsuitable candidates Signup and view all the answers

What typically occurs during the testing stage of the implementation phase?

Assessing system performance under normal conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge when implementing off-the-shelf software applications?

They often do not align with specific organizational processes Signup and view all the answers

What should a contract specify when customization of an application is necessary?

The customization responsibilities and conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is a common aim of change management during the implementation phase?

To ensure user acceptance and minimize resistance Signup and view all the answers

What does the evaluation of alternatives typically result in?

A rank-ordered list of acceptable vendors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the selection committee during the vendor evaluation process?

Gathering further information to finalize decisions Signup and view all the answers

Why may products that fail to meet necessary requirements be identified quickly?

As a result of targeted requests for proposals Signup and view all the answers

What is an expected cost element in vendor contracts?

The eventual liabilities and service-level agreements Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 11: Creating Information Systems

Information systems (IS) design and implementation are complex, requiring robust and secure technology at their core.
Comparing custom software development versus acquiring off-the-shelf products involves evaluating advantages and disadvantages.
Several methodologies exist for custom software development, including the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), prototyping, Agile, and DevOps. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Open-source software presents both advantages and risks in modern organizations.
Open-source software implementations depend on various commercial models.
Systems selection methodologies help organizations choose appropriate prepackaged software.
End-user development is becoming more prevalent in modern organizations, with associated benefits and risks.

Introduction

Managers must be involved in software design, acquisition, and implementation, as business success increasingly depends on appropriate software applications.
Choosing the correct application characteristics is a crucial business decision.

Some Examples

Various real-world examples illustrate successes and failures in IS projects, highlighting various potential issues and risks.
Examples include the Condor Cluster, the FBI Virtual Case File, Pathfinder, NYC Automated Payroll System, Online Library System, and Future Imagery Architecture. These projects vary in cost, time, and achieved outcomes.

Fulfilling Information Processing Needs

Technological advancements create the foundation for required information processing.
Successful IS implementation depends on how well the technology integrates with existing organizational components (people, processes, structure, etc.).

Three Approaches

Custom design and development creates unique software tailored to a firm's specific needs.
System selection involves acquiring pre-built software.
End-user development involves users creating software applications.

Make vs Buy

Custom software development might be necessary if no existing market solution meets unique needs.
The example given is Amazon's personal recommendation system.

Custom Development Advantages

Unique tailoring: Software adapts to specific firm features.
Flexibility and control: Firms have full control over the system's design and functionality.

Purchasing from a Vendor Advantages

Faster roll-out: Acquiring pre-built software speeds implementation.
Knowledge infusion: Learning how other organizations utilize the system's functionality.
Economical attractiveness: Software vendors benefit from economies of scale.
Quality: Software houses with large testing budgets deliver high-quality software.

Build Your Own: Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Planning and justification are essential in risk management during system design and development.
SDLC methodology uses a highly structured approach.
SDLC has three phases: Definition, Build, and Implementation.

Phase 1: Definition

System features need clear identification.
Key actors are end-users and managers.
Three steps: Investigation, Feasibility Analysis, and System Analysis.

Phase 2: Build

System requirements are translated into robust software.
Steps include System Design, Programming, and Testing.

Phase 3: Implementation

Software integrates with existing systems.
Steps include Installation, Operations, and Maintenance.

Four Migration Approaches

Different migration approaches cater to various needs and complexities. (Diagram shown)
- Parallel, Direct, Phased, and Pilot approaches.

Build Your Own: Agile Development

Agile methodologies emphasize adaptability and involvement compared to waterfall approaches, which prioritize detailed planning.
Agile priorities: Adaptability, speed, teamwork, frequent communication, and customer involvement.

Outsourced Development

Custom software is developed by external firms in programming and testing stages or by providing the whole system development.

Buying Off-the-Shelf Applications

Systems selection is a multi-phased process (Definition, Build, Implementation) critical to evaluating and selecting the best software solutions.

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Description

Explore the complexities of designing and implementing information systems, focusing on methodologies such as SDLC and Agile. Learn about the pros and cons of custom versus off-the-shelf software, as well as the role of open-source solutions in modern organizations. This chapter emphasizes the importance of managerial involvement in software-related decisions.