IT Architecture and Infrastructure Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the process of creating IT architecture and infrastructure?

Defining the Strategic Goals (correct)

Apply Strategy-to-Infrastructure Framework

Evaluate Additional Issues

Define Related Architectural Goals

Which of the following criteria is very applicable to both architecture and infrastructure?

Assessing financial issues

Growth requirements/scalability (correct)

Technological advances

Strategic time frame

When assessing technical issues, which factor is not considered under standardization?

IT staff skill set

Standards

Ongoing costs (correct)

Scalability

Which step involves analyzing the anticipated life cycles of system components?

Quantify costs Signup and view all the answers

In evaluating financial issues, which analysis is described as very applicable to infrastructure?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of an architect in infrastructure development?

To create a blueprint that translates business strategy into information systems. Signup and view all the answers

Why must a manager be involved in the decision-making process regarding IT architecture?

To ensure that the architectural plans support the business vision and can be realistically executed. Signup and view all the answers

What must be fleshed out from a strategy to guide the architect effectively?

Specific business requirements. Signup and view all the answers

In transitioning from architecture to infrastructure, what does the architect primarily focus on?

Detailing the actual hardware, software, data, and networking. Signup and view all the answers

How is the flow of information supported in the context of IT infrastructure?

Through a combination of hardware, software, data, and networks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step a manager must take in the process of moving from strategy to architecture?

Develop a broad business strategy. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily distinguishes the enterprise level focus from inter-organizational level focus in architecture?

The inter-organizational level focuses on communications with external stakeholders. Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of the architectural blueprint developed by the architect?

A plan that translates the business strategy into a systematic implementation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of strategy in relation to architecture and infrastructure?

It drives the development of architecture which supports infrastructure. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is least important when developing a new IT architecture and infrastructure?

Personal preferences of the management team. Signup and view all the answers

What primary purpose does TOGAF serve for organizations?

To provide a practical, standardized methodology for implementing Enterprise Architecture Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome for People’s Bank after redesigning their IT architecture?

They reduced customer response time by 30%. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines 'architecture' in an IT context?

The conceptual framework detailing system structure and relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding existing architecture important for managers?

It helps evaluate IT requirements against business strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of architectural design in relation to strategic planning?

It translates the strategy into feasible architectural solutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the challenges managers face when dealing with legacy systems?

The need to adapt existing architectures. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a relevant question for managers in understanding existing architecture?

Who will manage the software development team? Signup and view all the answers

Which configuration is NOT typically associated with IT architecture?

Flat architecture. Signup and view all the answers

Business continuity planning primarily focuses on which of the following?

Ensuring operations can continue during disruptions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) define?

A service or an interface as a reusable piece of software Signup and view all the answers

What does analyzing technological advances in architectures help determine?

Whether existing architecture can support future advancements. Signup and view all the answers

Which framework would be least suitable for designing IT architecture and infrastructure?

Waterfall model. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect to consider when assessing financial issues in IT architecture?

Expected financial value may be difficult to quantify. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the strategic goals of Blunt Co regarding outsourcing?

To lower costs by outsourcing manufacturing Signup and view all the answers

Which IT component is necessary for facilitating communication between sales and manufacturing partners?

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) software Signup and view all the answers

What is a necessary action when working with legacy architectures?

Objectively analyze the existing architecture and infrastructure. Signup and view all the answers

What type of communication is emphasized for accounting to manufacturing partners?

Transfer of funds for orders fulfilled Signup and view all the answers

What infrastructure consideration does Blunt Co need to address due to high anticipated transaction volumes?

Acquiring leased lines for data transmission Signup and view all the answers

What is one possible outcome of Blunt Co's outsourcing strategy?

Improved market responsiveness Signup and view all the answers

What system is NOT directly mentioned as part of Blunt Co’s infrastructure?

Content Management System (CMS) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a goal related to clipper distribution for Blunt Co?

Improve cost-effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

What type of network connection may suffice for low transaction volumes between Blunt Co and its partners?

Dial-up connections Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus when evaluating additional issues in relation to architectural goals?

Compare managerial considerations with architectural goals Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial aspect of Business Continuity Planning (BCP)?

Developing alternative recovery strategies Signup and view all the answers

What does strategic time frame pertain to in the context of evaluating architectural goals?

The planned time for implementing IT solutions Signup and view all the answers

Why is HR compatibility important when evaluating changes in architecture?

It influences the cost and employee morale during transitions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents an emergency response procedure in BCP?

Limiting injury to personnel and damage to assets Signup and view all the answers

What must be well communicated throughout the organization regarding BCP?

Emergency response procedures Signup and view all the answers

How should managers approach the translation from strategy to infrastructure?

By using a logical framework for guidance Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons for the increasing importance of translating business strategy into IT infrastructure?

To remain competitive in the market Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course Title: Managing and Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach
Subject: Information System Strategy Management and Acquisition
Instructor: BE Calabrera
Academic Year: 2024-2025
Semester: 1st

Topic: 6: Architecture and Infrastructure

Architecture translates strategy into infrastructure
The architect creates a blueprint for the company's systems
This blueprint is used to translate business strategy into an IS plan

Topic: Content

From Vision to Implementation
The Leap from Strategy to Architecture to Infrastructure
Architectural Principles
Enterprise Architecture
Other Managerial Considerations
From Strategy to Architecture to Infrastructure: An Example
Food for Thought: Business Continuity Planning

Topic: Learning Objectives

Understand how strategy drives architecture and subsequently infrastructure
Identify and define three IT architecture configurations
Define how business goals translate into IT architecture and infrastructure
Know different architectural and infrastructural frameworks
Understand the importance of knowing existing architecture and infrastructure details

Topic: Real World Examples

In 1998, People's Bank recognized its existing IT architecture as limiting
The bank needed seamless connections with external partners for real-time data transfer
People's Bank developed a new 4-tier architecture by October 2000
Benefits included quicker service introduction, lower costs, and a 30% improvement in customer response time, saving over $100,000 in desktop administration

Topic: Architecture/Infrastructure of People's Bank

The 1st tier is composed of web browsers used by clients/employees
The 2nd tier consists of IBM WebSphere Application Servers
The 3rd tier uses IBM WebSphere Application Servers for processing transactions, integrated with external sources
Legacy systems communicate with the broker hub. Unisys mainframe manages banking systems and IBM S/390 manages financials

Topic: Terminologies

Strategy: A long-term goal implementation plan
Architecture: The framework determining a system's structure, components, and relationships
Infrastructure: Physical and organizational structures supporting operations
Strategic Planning: Defining comprehensive objectives for vision achievement
Architectural Design: Converting the strategy into detailed designs, models, and specifications
Infrastructure Development: Implementing architectural designs into operational physical structures

Topic: From Vision to Implementation

Architecture translates strategy to infrastructure
Architect creates plans based on a customer vision (blueprint of company systems)
Blueprint translates business strategy into an IS plan
IT infrastructure includes hardware, software, data and networks needed to support information flow and processing

Topic: From Abstract to Concrete (Figure 1)

The Figure displays a progression moving from abstract (owner's view-strategy) to concrete (builder's implementation-infrastructure) in the IT process

Topic: The Manager's Role

The manager must understand IT architecture and infrastructure expectations to successfully communicate the vision
Modifications to plans might be necessary if IT cannot support them realistically; a manager should be involved in decision-making
Managers need to know the current IT architecture to assess how it matches the organization's evolving business strategy

Topic: From Strategy to Architecture

Managers must begin with a defined business strategy
This strategy is then used to develop more specific goals (Figure 2)
Business requirements should be fleshed out for the goals given to the architect for proper systems implementation
A detailed process for achieving the desired architectural implementation is depicted in Figure 3

Topic: Figure 2 – From Strategy to Business Requirements

(displays a hierarchical relationship between strategy and supporting business goals and their corresponding requirements)

Topic: Figure 3 – From Business Requirements to Architecture

(shows how business requirements flow through architectural components to shape the final architecture)

Topic: From Architecture to Infrastructure

The architectural plan is further detailed into specific hardware, software, data, and networking components (Figure 4)
Components must be coherently combined (enterprise level, communication with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders)

Topic: Figure 4 – From Architecture to Infrastructure

(shows the steps in translating design architecture components into physical infrastructure specifications)

Topic: A Framework for the Translation (Translation of Business Strategy into IT Architecture and Infrastructure)

Considerations when developing a framework for translation include the physical components (hardware), software, network, and data (quantity and format)
A framework (Figure 5) details components for analysis: What, Who, where in each business component

Topic: Figure 5. Information Systems Analysis Framework

(shows a table with questions about each infrastructure component (hardware, software, network, data))

Topic: Analysis of Components

Managers must oversee a complete and thorough analysis of each infrastructure component focusing on what, who, and where.
Table 6 shows the connections between strategy and systems

Topic: Figure 6. Infrastructure and Architecture Analysis Framework

(displays a table, containing questions for determining each component of the data infrastructure.)

Topic: Architecture Examples

Three common IT architecture configurations include client/server, mainframe, peer-to-peer, and wireless.
Managers should consider trade-offs between these architectures

Topic: Other Frameworks

Some approaches, such as Zachman and TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework), delve deeper into the "how, when, and why" of architecture
These methodologies can offer standardized frameworks for successfully implementing comprehensive Enterprise Architecture within organizations

Topic: Other Managerial Considerations

Acknowledging existing architecture allows the assessment of current IT and its alignment with emerging business strategy
Future architecture designs can be compared with existing infrastructure to determine what can be re-purposed

Topic: Relevant Questions for Managers

Managers may need to ask the following relevant questions: Existing architecture in place? Existing architecture being developed/replaced. Existing systems that the company must work within or expand?

Topic: Strategic IT Planning and Legacy Systems

Managers often deal with adapting existing infrastructure, which presents both opportunities to build on current components and challenges in addressing past design limitations (or issues).

Topic: Working with Legacy Architectures

Three steps for making good use of legacy systems

Analyze the architectural designs of the current system
Analyze the design decisions behind existing systems and their alignment with the company's strategy
Analyze the potential and limitations of legacy systems to apply current strategic goals

Topic: Distinguishing Current vs. Future Requirements

Strategic Time Frame: Understanding the system's lifecycle
Technological Advances: Assessing how advancements influence architecture and infrastructure
Growth Requirements: Projecting if systems and their infrastructure are scalable to accommodate future needs

Topic: Assessing Financial Issues

Costs
System components' expected lifecycles
Quantifiable benefits
Risk levels
Costs and benefits in the long term

Topic: Assessing Technical Issues: Standardization

Assess for scalability, maintainability, and staff skill sets
Evaluate the difference between architecture and infrastructure
Figure 7 displays evaluations based on established criteria

Topic: Differentiating Between Architecture and Infrastructure

A tabular comparison of criteria related to architecture and infrastructure

Topic: From Strategy to Architecture: An Example (Blunt Co.)

Blunt Co is a fictitious case example
Four step process
- Step 1 - Defining Strategic Goals
- Step 2 - Related Architectural Goals
- Step 3 - Applying a Strategy to Infrastructure Framework
- Step 4 - Evaluating Additional Issues

Topic: Figure 8. Blunt Co's Infrastructure Components

Tables (Hardware, software, network, data) for Blunt Co illustrating the various components

Topic: Step 1: Defining the Strategic Goals

Blunt Co's strategy focuses on responding to demand fluctuations by outsourcing manufacturing
Specific objectives are to reduce manufacturing costs, lower distribution costs, and improve market flexibility

Architecture must enable outsourced manufacturing by supporting required interfaces between BluCo and its manufacturing partners, including data exchange and coordination

Topic: Step 3: Apply Strategy to Infrastructure Framework

Focus on network application - What's the volume of transactions between BluntCo and partners?
Consideration of leased lines vs. lower-volume dial-up connections

Topic: Step 4: Evaluate Additional Issues

Compare managerial considerations with step 2 architectural goals
HR compatibility (displacement of staff, training needed for new systems and technologies)
Infrastructure and new staff costs

Topic: Food for Thought: Business Continuity Planning

Business Continuity Planning (BCP) describes an approved set of actions/procedures in handling potential disasters
Steps include planning/establishing business recovery strategies, Emergency Response Procedures (injuries, equipment damage, disruption of vital functions) and employee awareness/training

Topic: Summary

Strategy drives architecture; logical frameworks for translating business goals into infrastructure is necessary
The state of an existing architecture/infrastructure is evaluated to understand how to adapt and modify to suit strategic business implementations
Business continuity is essential, and should be included in systems designs

Topic: Reference

Keri Pearlson & Carol Saunders, Managing and Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach

Topic: Quiz

A quiz is mentioned, this is likely for exam purposes

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts of IT architecture and infrastructure. This quiz will cover fundamental steps, criteria, and financial analysis pertinent to the field. Ideal for students and professionals looking to refresh their understanding of IT systems.