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What is the primary characteristic of parallel conversion?
What is the primary characteristic of parallel conversion?
Which type of system maintenance focuses on preventing system failure?
Which type of system maintenance focuses on preventing system failure?
What is a key feature of rapid application development (RAD)?
What is a key feature of rapid application development (RAD)?
What does Joint Application Design (JAD) primarily aim to achieve?
What does Joint Application Design (JAD) primarily aim to achieve?
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What is the maximum duration of a sprint in Scrum methodology?
What is the maximum duration of a sprint in Scrum methodology?
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Which maintenance type involves enhancing the system's performance and user interface?
Which maintenance type involves enhancing the system's performance and user interface?
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Which development method employs an iterative and flexible approach for project management?
Which development method employs an iterative and flexible approach for project management?
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In phased conversion, what is the main approach to implementing a new system?
In phased conversion, what is the main approach to implementing a new system?
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What is one primary consideration companies must address when acquiring new IT applications?
What is one primary consideration companies must address when acquiring new IT applications?
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What is the primary deliverable of the systems analysis phase in the SDLC?
What is the primary deliverable of the systems analysis phase in the SDLC?
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Which of the following is NOT a method for acquiring IT applications?
Which of the following is NOT a method for acquiring IT applications?
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Which phase of the SDLC involves translating design specifications into computer codes?
Which phase of the SDLC involves translating design specifications into computer codes?
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Which option provides software free of charge?
Which option provides software free of charge?
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What is the primary goal of the systems testing phase?
What is the primary goal of the systems testing phase?
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What does offshoring refer to in the context of software development?
What does offshoring refer to in the context of software development?
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What is a key advantage of purchasing off-the-shelf software?
What is a key advantage of purchasing off-the-shelf software?
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During which phase is the system converted from an old computer system to a new one?
During which phase is the system converted from an old computer system to a new one?
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What does the systems design phase primarily describe?
What does the systems design phase primarily describe?
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What is one alternative to traditional software development methods?
What is one alternative to traditional software development methods?
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Which of the following describes nearshore outsourcing?
Which of the following describes nearshore outsourcing?
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What does the term 'user interfaces' refer to in the context of systems design specifications?
What does the term 'user interfaces' refer to in the context of systems design specifications?
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What type of development might be carried out by end users in an organization?
What type of development might be carried out by end users in an organization?
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What kinds of documentation are included in the deliverables of the systems design phase?
What kinds of documentation are included in the deliverables of the systems design phase?
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Which phase of the SDLC primarily focuses on verifying that the system meets business requirements?
Which phase of the SDLC primarily focuses on verifying that the system meets business requirements?
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What is one disadvantage of purchased software for a company?
What is one disadvantage of purchased software for a company?
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What is the first stage of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?
What is the first stage of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?
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Which of the following identifies potential project solutions during the Systems Investigation/Planning phase?
Which of the following identifies potential project solutions during the Systems Investigation/Planning phase?
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What could be a consequence of relying on purchased software from a vendor?
What could be a consequence of relying on purchased software from a vendor?
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Which team member is primarily responsible for discussing user requirements in the SDLC?
Which team member is primarily responsible for discussing user requirements in the SDLC?
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What type of feasibility study assesses whether the technology required for a project is obtainable?
What type of feasibility study assesses whether the technology required for a project is obtainable?
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What is a risk associated with relying on third-party software vendors?
What is a risk associated with relying on third-party software vendors?
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In the SDLC, which phase follows Systems Programming?
In the SDLC, which phase follows Systems Programming?
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What is the primary purpose of daily scrums in a scrum team?
What is the primary purpose of daily scrums in a scrum team?
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Which of the following best describes end-user development (EUD)?
Which of the following best describes end-user development (EUD)?
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Which tool is primarily recognized as a common end-user development application?
Which tool is primarily recognized as a common end-user development application?
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What does DevOps aim to achieve in software development?
What does DevOps aim to achieve in software development?
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In the context of software development, what does the term SDLC stand for?
In the context of software development, what does the term SDLC stand for?
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Which of the following describes the main focus of DevOps practices?
Which of the following describes the main focus of DevOps practices?
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What is a feature of 'no code' platforms in end-user development?
What is a feature of 'no code' platforms in end-user development?
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What is a characteristic of end-user programming (EUP)?
What is a characteristic of end-user programming (EUP)?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Information Systems - Chapter 13
- Chapter 13 focuses on acquiring information systems and applications.
- Learning objectives include discussing business decisions in application acquisitions, enumerating tasks and importance of six systems development life cycle (SDLC) processes, and describing alternative development methods and tools.
- The chapter outline consists of strategies for acquiring IT applications, the traditional SDLC, and alternative systems development methods.
Strategies for Acquiring IT Applications
- Fundamental decisions include:
- Amount of custom code required.
- Funding method for the application.
- Application deployment location.
- Options include purchasing pre-written applications, customizing pre-written applications, leasing applications (using ASPs or SaaS vendors), and utilizing open-source software.
- Outsourcing may be involved, including onshore, nearshore, and offshore approaches.
- End-user development is another method using in-house personnel without specialized IT skills.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Purchasing Software
-
Advantages:
- Variety of pre-written software options.
- Can evaluate the software before purchasing.
- Potential to save significant development time.
- Clearer understanding of the software before investment.
- May eliminate the need to hire dedicated project personnel.
-
Disadvantages:
- Software may not perfectly meet specific needs.
- Modifying or adjusting software may be complex or impossible, requiring significant business process changes.
- Limited control over enhancements and new versions of the purchased software
- Integration with other existing systems can be challenging.
- Risk of vendor discontinuation or company bankruptcy.
- Lacks in-depth understanding of the software functionality by the purchasing company.
Application Service Provider (ASP) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
- ASPs and SaaS vendors deliver application services and software via a subscription service model.
- (Illustrative diagrams showing the operation of an ASP and SaaS vendor)
Traditional Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- The SDLC is a sequential process for developing information systems.
- SDLC stages:
- Investigation/Planning
- Analysis
- Design
- Programming
- Testing
- Implementation
- Maintenance (Mnemonic: PADPTIM)
SDLC Phases
-
Systems Investigation/Planning:
- High-level project plan and goal setting.
- Brainstorming potential solutions.
- Feasibility studies (technical, economic, behavioral).
- Steering committee support.
- Change agent selection.
-
Systems Analysis:
- Investigating and analyzing user needs and refining project goals.
- Defining system functions and operations.
- The deliverable is a set of system requirements.
-
Systems Design:
- Describing how the system resolves the business problem.
- Defining features, operations, and documentation such as screen layouts, business rules, and process diagrams.
- Deliverables include technical specifications such as outputs, inputs, calculations, processing, and user interfaces; hardware, software, databases, telecommunications; personnel and procedures; and an integration blueprint.
-
Systems Programming:
- Transforming design documents into an actual system.
- Programming involves translating design specifications into computer code.
- Programming languages are used to create programs/systems.
-
Systems Testing:
- Bringing all components together in a testing environment.
- Evaluating whether computer codes meet expectations by producing intended results and identifying errors for debugging.
-
Systems Implementation:
- Converting an old system to a new one.
- Placing the system into production.
- Strategies for implementation may include direct, pilot, phased, and parallel conversion.
-
Systems Maintenance:
- Performing necessary changes and updates in the system.
- Types of maintenance: Corrective, adaptive, perfective, and preventive.
Alternative Systems Development Methods
-
Joint Application Design (JAD):
- A fact-finding technique.
- Brings users into the development process as active participants.
- Used in describing software development practices during the mid-1970s.
-
Rapid Application Development (RAD):
- A methodology for fast application development using an iterative process.
- Uses continuous user feedback and produces rapid prototypes.
-
Agile Development (e.g., Scrum):
- An iterative and flexible approach to project management.
- Scrum is for agile team collaboration. Teams work in short time-boxed iterations (called sprints) of up to one month, typically two weeks long. Progress is tracked via daily 15-minute stand-up meetings.
-
End-user development (EUD):
- Enables users who aren't professional developers to create software.
- Tools like Microsoft Excel allow end users to do this.
-
DevOps:
- Combines development and IT operations.
- Automates software development and IT operations to improve and shorten the SDLC.
- Aims to shift application production environment ownership from IT to developers.
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Description
Chapter 13 delves into the critical strategies for acquiring information systems and applications. It covers business decisions related to application acquisitions, the significance of the systems development life cycle, and various development methods. Learn about funding methods, custom coding needs, and the different options available for application deployment.