IS201 Foundations of Information Systems

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting a feasibility analysis during the systems analysis phase?

To evaluate the viability of candidate solutions (correct)

To create technical specifications for the system

To present findings to the project sponsor

To draft the systems design report

What does the systems analysis report culminate in?

A summary of findings for the project steering team (correct)

A draft of the technical specifications

A list of team members for the project

A budget for systems design activities

During the review of the systems analysis results, what decisions may the steering team recommend?

To either proceed with development or scrap the project entirely (correct)

To recruit additional team members for system design

To prepare a budget for the next project stage

To initiate a new project design phase

Which step is NOT included in the systems design phase?

Prepare draft of the systems analysis report Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tasks is initiated first in the systems design phase?

Identify and recruit team leader Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of buying off-the-shelf software?

Less risk involved Signup and view all the answers

What is the first phase of the Waterfall system development process?

Investigation Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about the Waterfall system development process?

Each phase must be approved before the next begins Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of maintaining bought software?

Support costs can escalate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the six phases of the Waterfall system development process?

Deployment Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the investigation phase of system development?

Understanding the problem or opportunity Signup and view all the answers

In the context of software development approaches, what does 'agile' refer to?

Focus on iterative and incremental improvements Signup and view all the answers

Which phase typically follows the analysis phase in the Waterfall model?

Design Signup and view all the answers

What does technical feasibility assess in a project?

Whether available technology can support the project Signup and view all the answers

Which type of feasibility analysis determines if the benefits outweigh the costs?

Economic feasibility Signup and view all the answers

What might happen after reviewing the systems investigation report with the steering team?

Input will be used to finalize the investigation report Signup and view all the answers

What is one possible action after completing the systems investigation?

Continue into systems analysis Signup and view all the answers

What does operational feasibility focus on in system development?

How well the system meets user expectations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a component of feasibility analysis?

Financial feasibility Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of performing a preliminary feasibility analysis?

To assess whether the project is viable and worth pursuing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would be considered during schedule feasibility?

Project timeline and completion expectations Signup and view all the answers

What is included in a systems investigation request?

A preliminary statement of the problem or opportunity Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of identifying and recruiting a team leader in a systems investigation?

To oversee the investigation process Signup and view all the answers

What steps are taken when developing a budget and schedule for a systems investigation?

Listing specific objectives and activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus during the 'Perform Investigation' phase?

Refining the initial problem definition and scope Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is employed to define business processes during the investigation phase?

Functional Decomposition Signup and view all the answers

What role does Joint Application Development play in a systems investigation?

It accelerates and improves investigation and design phases. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major milestone in the context of a systems investigation budget?

Advancement to project implementation phase Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the responsibilities of investigation team members?

Conduct data analysis and report findings Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary goals in the initial phase of system analysis?

Develop budget and schedule Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT typically used for data collection during system analysis?

Interviews Signup and view all the answers

In developing a prioritized set of requirements, which category is NOT typically included?

High priority Signup and view all the answers

Which tool provides a model of a proposed new system during requirements development?

Data-flow diagrams Signup and view all the answers

What is an important factor in determining system performance?

Timeliness of output Signup and view all the answers

What principle suggests that approximately 80% of effects come from 20% of causes?

Pareto principle Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of the systems analysis process?

Perform cost-benefit analysis Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the existing system should be identified during the studying phase?

Strengths and weaknesses Signup and view all the answers

What follows after the development of a prioritized set of requirements in system analysis?

Feasibility analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of JAD sessions in the requirements development process?

To define system requirements Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

System Acquisition and Development

Organizations can choose between buying off-the-shelf software or custom development, with purchased software offering lower risk and faster deployment.
Maintenance costs for commercial software can be high.

Waterfall System Development Process

A structured sequential process featuring six key phases: Investigation, Analysis, Design, Construction, Integration, Testing, and Implementation.
Each phase requires completion and approval before proceeding to the next.

System Investigation

First phase focuses on understanding the problem or opportunity driving the system's development.
Key steps include reviewing systems investigation requests, identifying team members, budgeting, performing feasibility analysis, and preparing reports.

Steps of System Investigation

Review Request: Evaluates the initial problem statement and aligns it with organizational goals.
Team Recruitment: Assembles a team to gather data and prepare reports.
Budget Development: Creates a schedule and budget considering major milestones and resources.
Perform Investigation: Defines high-level business requirements and identifies project risks.

Joint Application Development (JAD)

A structured meeting process designed to enhance efficiency in the investigation and design phases.

Feasibility Analysis Components

Technical Feasibility: Checks if the project fits existing technology limits.
Economic Feasibility: Evaluates if project benefits outweigh costs.
Legal Feasibility: Assesses potential legal restrictions.
Operational Feasibility: Examines acceptance and performance expectations of the system.
Schedule Feasibility: Determines if the project's timeline is achievable.

System Analysis

Emphasizes gathering data on the current system, determining new requirements, and assessing alternative solutions.
Steps include recruiting, budgeting, studying existing systems, prioritizing requirements, evaluating solutions, and preparing reports.

Key Focus Areas in System Analysis

Analyze existing system strengths and weaknesses using data collection methods like JAD, direct observation, and surveys.
Develop prioritized requirements classified as critical, medium, or low priority, and utilize Data-Flow Diagrams (DFDs) for modeling.

Security and Performance in System Analysis

System performance factors include output timeliness, ease of use, scalability, response time, availability, and reliability.
Data modeling principles establish relationships among data entities using Entity-Relationship (ER) diagrams.

Identifying Alternatives and Reporting

Teams must creatively consider various solutions while applying the Pareto principle (80-20 rule) to prioritize analysis.
Conclusions presented in a formal systems analysis report that provides recommendations for the project's next steps.

System Design Phase

This phase formulates technical specifications for building the system.
Key activities entail assembling the design team, scheduling, budgeting, designing user interfaces, security measures, disaster recovery plans, and databases.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts and principles from the course 'Foundations of Information Systems' (IS201) within the College of Computer and Information Sciences at Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. It aims to assess understanding of foundational theories, systems, and practices in information systems.