Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a primary disadvantage of using Rapid Application Development (RAD)?
Which of the following is a primary disadvantage of using Rapid Application Development (RAD)?
- Potential neglect of strategic business needs in favor of system mechanics. (correct)
- Limited user involvement during the development lifecycle.
- Higher costs associated with specialized development tools.
- Increased development time compared to traditional methods.
What is the main purpose of Functional Decomposition Diagrams (FDD)?
What is the main purpose of Functional Decomposition Diagrams (FDD)?
- To provide a top-down representation of a function or process. (correct)
- To visualize the timing of interactions between different objects.
- To illustrate data flow and transformations within a system.
- To document interactions between users and the information system.
Which modeling tool is most suitable for visualizing and documenting software systems design using object-oriented concepts?
Which modeling tool is most suitable for visualizing and documenting software systems design using object-oriented concepts?
- Data Flow Diagram (DFD)
- Unified Modeling Language (UML) (correct)
- Functional Decomposition Diagram (FDD)
- CASE Tools
In the context of system requirements, what does the 'Performance' category primarily address?
In the context of system requirements, what does the 'Performance' category primarily address?
What is the initial, most important step in the fact-finding process for a new IS?
What is the initial, most important step in the fact-finding process for a new IS?
When planning for a new information system, which question is most relevant to understanding the system's integration needs?
When planning for a new information system, which question is most relevant to understanding the system's integration needs?
What type of diagram visually represents the interaction between users and an information system, where the user assumes a specific role?
What type of diagram visually represents the interaction between users and an information system, where the user assumes a specific role?
Which question during fact-finding is most directly related to assessing the economic justification for a proposed system?
Which question during fact-finding is most directly related to assessing the economic justification for a proposed system?
Which activity is primarily focused on discovering and documenting the essential features and functionalities of a new system?
Which activity is primarily focused on discovering and documenting the essential features and functionalities of a new system?
A systems analyst is trying to understand how a company handles customer orders. Which fact-finding technique would be MOST suitable for gaining a firsthand understanding of the process?
A systems analyst is trying to understand how a company handles customer orders. Which fact-finding technique would be MOST suitable for gaining a firsthand understanding of the process?
Which combination of skills is MOST crucial for a systems analyst during the systems analysis phase?
Which combination of skills is MOST crucial for a systems analyst during the systems analysis phase?
What is the primary objective of involving users in the development of an information system?
What is the primary objective of involving users in the development of an information system?
A company is considering using Joint Application Development (JAD). What is a potential disadvantage they should be aware of?
A company is considering using Joint Application Development (JAD). What is a potential disadvantage they should be aware of?
In Rapid Application Development (RAD), what role does prototyping play?
In Rapid Application Development (RAD), what role does prototyping play?
What is the KEY differentiator between Joint Application Development (JAD) and Rapid Application Development (RAD) in systems development?
What is the KEY differentiator between Joint Application Development (JAD) and Rapid Application Development (RAD) in systems development?
A project team needs to gather detailed information about user needs for a new system. They are considering different fact-finding techniques. Which approach would be MOST effective for gathering information from a large and geographically dispersed user base?
A project team needs to gather detailed information about user needs for a new system. They are considering different fact-finding techniques. Which approach would be MOST effective for gathering information from a large and geographically dispersed user base?
Which of the following questions is LEAST relevant when initially trying to understand why a specific procedure is being followed within a system?
Which of the following questions is LEAST relevant when initially trying to understand why a specific procedure is being followed within a system?
A systems analyst discovers that a department is still using a manual process developed decades ago. Which question would be most effective in challenging the continued use of this process?
A systems analyst discovers that a department is still using a manual process developed decades ago. Which question would be most effective in challenging the continued use of this process?
During an interview, a system analyst identifies an inefficiency. Which follow-up question would be MOST effective in understanding the problem's root cause?
During an interview, a system analyst identifies an inefficiency. Which follow-up question would be MOST effective in understanding the problem's root cause?
In which scenario would a questionnaire be a more appropriate fact-finding technique than an interview?
In which scenario would a questionnaire be a more appropriate fact-finding technique than an interview?
A systems analyst needs to gather information about the frequency of errors in a data entry process. Which fact-finding technique would be MOST suitable?
A systems analyst needs to gather information about the frequency of errors in a data entry process. Which fact-finding technique would be MOST suitable?
A project team is deciding between structured and unstructured brainstorming techniques. Which factor would MOST strongly suggest choosing a structured approach?
A project team is deciding between structured and unstructured brainstorming techniques. Which factor would MOST strongly suggest choosing a structured approach?
A systems analyst is tasked with creating a logical design for a new inventory management system. Which aspect should be the PRIMARY focus during this phase?
A systems analyst is tasked with creating a logical design for a new inventory management system. Which aspect should be the PRIMARY focus during this phase?
When using sampling to gather data about customer orders, which sampling method would be MOST appropriate for ensuring representation from different customer segments (e.g., by geographic region or order size)?
When using sampling to gather data about customer orders, which sampling method would be MOST appropriate for ensuring representation from different customer segments (e.g., by geographic region or order size)?
Which of the following is the LEAST important consideration when determining the people to interview during the initial stages of a system development project?
Which of the following is the LEAST important consideration when determining the people to interview during the initial stages of a system development project?
A systems analyst is reviewing existing system documentation and notices the documentation is outdated, incomplete and inaccurate. What should the analyst do?
A systems analyst is reviewing existing system documentation and notices the documentation is outdated, incomplete and inaccurate. What should the analyst do?
Flashcards
Requirements Modeling
Requirements Modeling
The process of using fact-finding to visualize and document a new system's outputs, inputs, processes, performance, and security.
System Outputs
System Outputs
Information produced by the system, either electronically or in printed form.
System Inputs
System Inputs
Data necessary to enter the system for processing.
System Processes
System Processes
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System Performance
System Performance
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System Security
System Security
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Joint Application Development (JAD)
Joint Application Development (JAD)
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Rapid Application Development (RAD)
Rapid Application Development (RAD)
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CASE Tools
CASE Tools
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Functional Decomposition Diagram (FDD)
Functional Decomposition Diagram (FDD)
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Data Flow Diagram (DFD)
Data Flow Diagram (DFD)
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Unified Modeling Language (UML)
Unified Modeling Language (UML)
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Use Case Diagram
Use Case Diagram
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Sequence Diagram
Sequence Diagram
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System Requirement
System Requirement
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System Development Constraints
System Development Constraints
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Fact-Finding Questions
Fact-Finding Questions
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Interview (Systems Analysis)
Interview (Systems Analysis)
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Document Review
Document Review
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Observation (Systems Analysis)
Observation (Systems Analysis)
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Questionnaires and Surveys
Questionnaires and Surveys
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Sampling (Fact-Finding)
Sampling (Fact-Finding)
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Research (Systems Analysis)
Research (Systems Analysis)
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Brainstorming
Brainstorming
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Logical Design
Logical Design
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Study Notes
Introduction
- Chapter 2 covers:
- Requirements modeling techniques
- Team-based methods used by systems analysts to visualize and document new systems
- Fact-finding techniques, like interviewing, documentation review, observation, surveys, sampling, and research
Requirements Modeling
- Involves fact-finding to describe:
- Outputs: electronic or printed info produced by the system
- Inputs: necessary data that enters the system
- Processes: logical rules applied to transform data into info
- Performance: system characteristics such as speed, capacity, reliability, availability
- Security: hardware, software, and procedural controls that protect the system and its data
Systems Analysis Skills
- Analytical skills
- Interpersonal skills
Team-Oriented Methods and Techniques
- Joint application development (JAD)
- Rapid application development (RAD)
Joint Application Development (JAD)
- Strategy for user involvement
- Users have a vital stake in an information system so should participate fully
- Successful systems must be user-oriented, and users need to be involved
JAD Advantages
- Allows key users to participate effectively
- Results in a more accurate statement of system requirements
- Creates better understanding of common goals
- Strengthens commitment to the new system's success
JAD Disadvantages
- Expensive and cumbersome if the group is too large relative to the project size
Rapid Application Development (RAD)
- Team-based technique
- Speeds up information systems development
- Produces a functioning information system
- Relies heavily on prototyping and user involvement
- Continues until the system is completely developed, and users are satisfied
Similarities Between JAD and RAD
- Both use a group approach
- The end product of JAD is a requirements model
- The end product of RAD is the new IS
RAD Advantages
- Systems developed quickly
- Significant cost savings
RAD Disadvantages
- Stresses system mechanics, not the company's strategic business needs
- Allows less time to develop quality, consistency, and design standards
Modeling Tools and Techniques
- CASE Tools (computer-aided system engineering)
- Document business functions and processes
- Develop graphical models
- Provide a framework for IS development
- Functional Decomposition Diagrams (FDD)
- Also called structure charts
- Top-down representation of a function or process
- Data Flow Diagrams (DFD)
- Shows how the system stores, processes, and transforms data
- Unified Modeling Language (UML)
- Visualizes and documents software systems design
- Uses object-oriented design concepts
- Provides graphical tools such as:
- Use case diagrams: Visually represent the interaction between users and the IS with the user becoming an Actor with a specific role
- Sequence diagrams: Shows the timing of interactions between objects
System Requirements Checklist
- A characteristic or feature that must be included in an IS to satisfy business requirements and be acceptable to users
- Five general categories:
- Outputs
- Inputs
- Processes
- Performance
- Controls
Fact-Finding Overview
- First step: identify the information you need
- Develop a fact-finding plan describing:
- Who, What, Where, When, How and Why?
Fact-Finding
- Series of questions to ask:
- What business functions are supported by the current system?
- What strategic objectives and business requirements must be supported by the new system?
- What are the benefits and TCO of the proposed system?
- What transactions will the system process?
- What information do users and managers need from the system?
- Must the new system interface with legacy systems?
- What procedures could be eliminated by business process reengineering?
- What security issues exist?
- What risks are acceptable?
- What budget and timetable constraints will affect system development?
Interviews
- Systems analysts spend a great deal of time talking with people
- Analysts should spend time conducting interviews
Interview Steps
- Determine the people to interview
- Establish objectives for the interview
- Develop interview questions
- Prepare for the interview
- Conduct the interview
- Document the interview
- Evaluate the interview
Other Fact-Finding Techniques
- Document Review
- Observation gives additional perspective, better system procedure understanding
- Questionnaires and Surveys
- Main rule when designing a questionnaire is to collect the right data in a form that you can use to further your fact-finding
- Fill-in form
- Sampling: collecting examples of actual documents
- Main objective of a sample is to ensure that it represents the overall population accurately
- Systematic sample
- Stratified sample
- Random sample
- Research:
- Includes the Internet, IT magazines, and books to obtain background information, technical material, and news about industry trends and developments
- Site visit
Interviews versus Questionnaires
- Interview is personal and familiar
- Questionnaire gives many people the opportunity to provide input and suggestions
- Brainstorming
- Structured = organized
- Unstructured = not organized
Documentation
- Software Tools:
- Computer-aided software engineering (CASE) Tools
- Productivity Software
- Word processing, spreadsheets, database management, presentation graphics programs
- Histogram
Logical Design
- Translation of business user requirements into a system model that depicts only the business requirements and not any possible technical design or implementation of those requirements
- This would be considered a conceptual or essential design
- System model: a picture of a system that represents reality or a desired reality
- System models facilitate improved communication between system users, system analysts, system designers, and system builders
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Description
This quiz assesses understanding of system development methodologies. Questions cover RAD disadvantages, functional decomposition, modeling tools and system requirements.
