Mcq and Tf Question Info 302 PDF

# Comparison of Gantt Charts and Network Diagrams * **Gantt Charts** * Visually shows duration of tasks * Visually shows time overlap between tasks * Visually shows slack time * **Network Diagrams** * Visually shows dependencies between tasks * Visually shows which tasks can be done in...

# Comparison of Gantt Charts and Network Diagrams * **Gantt Charts** * Visually shows duration of tasks * Visually shows time overlap between tasks * Visually shows slack time * **Network Diagrams** * Visually shows dependencies between tasks * Visually shows which tasks can be done in parallel * Shows slack time by data in rectangles # Representing and Scheduling Project Plans * **Gantt Charts** * Useful for depicting simple projects or parts of large projects * Show start and completion dates for individual tasks * **Network Diagrams** * Show order of activities # Closing Down the Project (Continued) 1. Conduct post-project reviews * Determine strengths and weaknesses of * Project deliverables * Project management process * Development process 2. Close customer contract # Executing the Project (Continued) 1. Manage changes to baseline project plan * Slipped (review) completion dates * Bungled (failed) activity that must be redone * Changes in personnel * New activities 2. Maintain project workbook 3. Communicate project status # Planning the Project 1. Describe project scope, alternatives, and feasibility * Scope and Feasibility * Understand the project * What problem is addressed * What results are to be achieved * Measures of success * Completion criteria # Initiating the Project 1. Establish the project initiation team 2. Establish a relationship with the customer 3. Establish the project initiation plan 4. Establish management procedures 5. Establish the project management environment and workbook 6. Develop the project charter # Managing the Information Systems Project * **Project Manager** * Systems Analyst responsible for * Project initiation * Planning * Execution * Closing down * Requires diverse set of skills * Management * Leadership * Technical problem solving * Conflict management * Customer relations * Team management * Risk and change management # Approaches to Development (Continued) * **Joint Application Design (JAD)** * Users, Managers, and Analysts work together for several days * System requirements are reviewed * Structured meetings * **Rapid Application Development (RAD)** * Utilizes prototyping to delay producing system design until after user requirements are clear # Approaches to Development (Continued) * **General types of CASE tools** * Diagramming tools * Computer display and report generators * Analysis tools * Repository * Documentation generators * Code generators # Approaches to Development (Continued) * **Computer-Assisted Software Engineering (CASE) Tools** * Automated software tools used by systems analysts to develop information systems * Can be used throughout SDLC * Product and tool integration is provided through a repository # Approaches to Development (Continued) * **Prototyping** * Building a scaled-down working version of the system * Advantages: * Users are involved in design * Captures requirements in concrete form # Phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle (Continued) * **System Design** * Logical Design * Concentrates on business aspects of the system * Physical Design * Technical specifications * **System Implementation and Operation** * Implementation * Hardware and software installation * Programming * User Training * Documentation # Phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle * **Systems Planning and Selection** * Two Main Activities * Identification of need * Investigation and determination of scope * **Systems Analysis** * Study of current procedures and information systems * Determine requirements * Generate alternative designs * Compare alternatives * Recommend best alternative # Developing Information Systems and the Systems Development Life Cycle (Continued) * Phases are *not* necessarily sequential. * Each phase has a specific outcome and deliverable. * Individual companies use customized life cycles. # Developing Information Systems and the Systems Development Life Cycle * **System Development Methodology** * Standard process followed in an organization * Consists of: * Analysis * Design * Implementation * Maintenance # Types of Information Systems and Systems Development * **Transaction Processing Systems (TPS)** * Automate handling of data about business activities (transactions) * **Management Information Systems (MIS)** * Converts raw data from transaction-processing system into meaningful form * **Decision Support Systems (DSS)** * Designed to help decision makers * Provides interactive environment for decision making # Sources of Software * Information Technology Services Firms * Packaged Software Providers * Enterprise Solutions Software * Open-Source Software * In-House Development # Your Role in Systems Development * Study problems and needs of an organization * Determine best approach to improving organization through use of * People * Methods * Information Technology Help system users and managers define their requirements for new or enhanced information systems <start_of_image>* **Systems Integration** * Allows hardware and software from different vendors to work together * Enables procedural language systems to work with visual programming systems * Visual programming environment uses client/server model # Important System Concepts (Continued) * **Modularity** * Process of dividing a system into modules of a relatively uniform size * Modules simplify system design * **Coupling** * Subsystems that are dependent upon each other are coupled * **Cohesion** * Extent to which a subsystem performs a single function # Important System Concepts * **Decomposition** * The process of breaking down a system into smaller components * Allows the systems analyst to: * Break a system into small, manageable, and understandable subsystems *Focus on one area at a time, without interference from other areas. * Concentrate on components pertinent to one group of users without confusing users with unnecessary details. * Build different components at independent times and have the help of different analysts. # Characteristics of a System * Components * Interrelated Components * Boundary * Purpose * Environment * Interfaces * Constraints * Input * Output # System * A system is an interrelated set of business procedures used within one business unit working together for a purpose. * A system has nine characteristics. * A system exists within an environment. * A boundary separates a system from its environment. # Software Engineering Process * A process used to create an information system * **Consists of:** * **Methodologies** * A sequence of step-by-step approaches that help develop the information system. * **Techniques** * Processes that the analyst follows to ensure thorough, complete, and comprehensive analysis and design * **Tools** * Computer programs that aid in applying techniques. # Systems Analysis and Design: Core Concepts (Continued) * **System:** Turns data into information and includes: * Hardware and system software * Documentation and training materials * Job roles associated with the system * Controls to prevent theft or fraud * The people who use the software to perform the jobs * **Figure 1-2** illustrates all the components of the system. # Systems Analysis and Design: Core Concepts * **Major goal**: to improve organizational systems by developing or acquiring application software and training employees in its use. * **Application software**, or a system, supports organizational functions or processes. # What is Information Systems Analysis and Design? (Continued) * Systems Analyst performs analysis and design based upon: * Understanding of organization's objectives, structure, and processes * Knowledge of how to exploit information technology for advantage * **Figure 1-1** illustrates the Systems Development Life Cycle, a four-phased approach used throughout this text. # What is Information Systems Analysis and Design? * A method used by companies to create and maintain systems that perform basic business functions. * **Main goal**: to improve employee efficiency by applying software solutions to key business tasks. * A structured approach must be used in order to ensure success.