Deck 2: Analyzing the Business Case

Question 1

A systems request form should ____.

A)have clear instructions
B)be difficult to understand
C)not include enough space for all required information
D)not indicate what supporting documents are needed

Answer 1

A

Question 2

____ limitations result when a system that was designed for a specific hardware configuration becomes obsolete when new hardware is introduced.

A)Mission
B)Relationship
C)Feasibility
D)Performance

Answer 2

D

Question 3

____ components can provide automated response to sales inquiries, Web-based order processing, and online inventory tracking.

A)Mission statement
B)Customer relationship management (CRM)
C)Feasibility study
D)Total cost of ownership (TCO)

Answer 3

B

Question 4

IT Departments today ____ .

A)only consult users if they want input
B)handle all aspects of systems development
C)are not closely linked to management
D)are more team-oriented

Question 5

During strategic planning, top managers ask a series of questions that is called a ____ analysis because it examines a company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

A)CRM
B)TCO
C)JIT
D)SWOT

Question 6

The estimated costs of a proposed system usually are considered the ____, which includes ongoing support and maintenance costs, as well as acquisition costs.

A)CRM
B)TCO
C)JIT
D)RFID

Question 7

An example of a tangible benefit includes a(n) ____.

A)user-friendly system that improves employee job satisfaction
B)sales tracking system that supplies better information for marketing decisions
C)new Web site that enhances the company's image
D)online package tracking system that decreases the need for clerical staff

Question 8

Hardware-based security controls include ____.

A)passwords
B)various levels of user access
C)coding data
D)none of the above

Question 9

A(n) ____ is an example of an intangible benefit.

A)user-friendly system that improves employee job satisfaction
B)new scheduling system that reduces overtime
C)online package tracking system that decreases the need for clerical staff
D)sophisticated inventory control system that cuts excess inventory

Question 10

Of the measures of feasibility in the accompanying figure, ____ considers questions such as "Does management support the project?" and "Will the new system require training for users?"

A)schedule feasibility
B)technical feasibility
C)economic feasibility
D)operational feasibility

Question 11

Many companies implement ____ systems that integrate all customer-related events and transactions.

A)CRM
B)TCO
C)JIT
D)RFID

Question 12

When setting priorities for systems requests, the highest priority goes to projects that provide the ____.

A)least benefit, at the highest cost, in the longest period of time
B)least benefit, at the lowest cost, in the longest period of time
C)greatest benefit, at the highest cost, in the shortest period of time
D)greatest benefit, at the lowest cost, in the shortest period of time

Question 13

Strategic planning starts with a ____ that reflects the firm's vision, purpose, and values..

A)Relationship Diagram
B)Feasibility Study
C)Performance Assessment
D)Mission Statement

Question 14

When evaluating systems requests, which of the following is an advantage of a systems review committee ____.

A)action on requests must wait until the committee meets
B)one person's bias is less likely to affect the decisions
C)members might favor projects requested by their own departments
D)internal political differences could delay important decisions

Question 15

A feasibility study includes tests for ____ feasibility, which means that the projected benefits of the proposed system outweigh the estimated costs.

A)economic
B)schedule
C)operational
D)technical

Question 16

Electronic data interchange (EDI) enables ____ inventory systems, which rely on computer-to-computer data exchange to minimize unnecessary inventory.

A)CRM
B)TCO
C)JIT
D)RFID

Question 17

____ planning is the process of identifying long-term organizational goals, strategies, and resources.

A)Opportunity
B)Preliminary
C)Strategic
D)Vertical

Question 18

Systems development typically starts with a ____.

A)feasibility study, followed by a systems request, which includes a preliminary investigation
B)systems request, followed by a preliminary investigation, which includes a feasibility study
C)preliminary investigation, followed by a feasibility study, which includes a systems request
D)feasibility study, followed by a preliminary investigation, which includes a systems request

Question 19

A feasibility study includes tests for ____ feasibility, which means that a proposed system will be used effectively after it has been developed.

A)operational
B)technical
C)schedule
D)economic

Question 20

A feasibility study includes tests for ____ feasibility, which refers to the practical resources needed to develop, purchase, install, or operate the system.

A)operational
B)technical
C)schedule
D)economic

Question 21

The primary method of obtaining information during the preliminary investigation is to ____.

A)analyze organization charts
B)conduct interviews
C)review documentation
D)observe operations

Question 22

To avoid the problem of project creep, ____.

A)define project scope as vaguely as possible
B)leave project scope undefined
C)define project scope as clearly as possible
D)expand the focus beyond the problem at hand

Question 23

A systems analyst conducts a(n) ____ investigation to study the systems request and recommend specific action.

A)preliminary
B)appendix
C)systems
D)transitional

Question 24

When using a ____ diagram to investigate causes of a problem, an analyst first states the problem and then draws a main bone with sub-bones that represent possible causes of the problem.

A)wishbone
B)fishbone
C)jawbone
D)crossbones

Question 25

A(n) ____ is a requirement or condition that a system must satisfy or an outcome that a system must achieve.

A)condition
B)constraint
C)impediment
D)obstacle

Question 26

Projects where management has no choice in implementing them are called ____ projects.

A)discretionary
B)nondiscretionary
C)appended
D)concatenated

Question 27

A survey is ____, generally takes less time, and can involve a broad cross-section of people.

A)more flexible than a series of interviews, and it is less expensive
B)more flexible than a series of interviews, but it is more expensive
C)not as flexible as a series of interviews, but it is less expensive
D)not as flexible as a series of interviews, and it is more expensive

Question 28

Of the measures of feasibility in the accompanying figure, ____ considers points such as "Does the proposed platform have sufficient capacity for future needs?" and "Will the hardware and software environment be reliable?"

A)schedule feasibility
B)technical feasibility
C)economic feasibility
D)operational feasibility

Question 29

Of the measures of feasibility in the accompanying figure, issues that relate to ____ include "Has management established a firm timetable for the project?" and "Will a project manager be appointed?"

A)schedule feasibility
B)technical feasibility
C)economic feasibility
D)operational feasibility

Question 30

A popular technique for investigating causes and effects is called a ____ diagram, which is an analysis tool that represents the possible causes of a problem as a graphical outline.

A)wishbone
B)fishbone
C)jawbone
D)crossbones

Question 31

Projects where management has a choice in implementing them are called ____ projects.

A)discretionary
B)nondiscretionary
C)appended
D)concatenated

Question 32

In sequence, the interviewing process involves a series of steps: ____, conduct the interview, document the interview, and evaluate the interview.

A)determine the people to interview, establish objectives for the interview, develop interview questions, prepare for the interview
B)establish objectives for the interview, develop interview questions, prepare for the interview, determine the people to interview
C)develop interview questions, prepare for the interview, determine the people to interview, establish objectives for the interview
D)prepare for the interview, determine the people to interview, establish objectives for the interview, develop interview questions

Question 33

A(n) _____, sometimes called a(n) _____, is another problem-solving tool often used by an analyst to look for a correlation between two variables..

A)Gantt chart, work breakdown structure
B)Fishbone diagram, Ishikawa diagram
C)Pareto chart, vertical bar graph
D)XY chart, scatter diagram

Question 34

Projects with very general scope definitions are at risk of expanding gradually, without specific authorization, in a process called project ____.

A)dilation
B)creep
C)expansion
D)drift

Question 35

Determining the project ____ means to define the boundaries, or extent, of a project - being as specific as possible.

A)index
B)matrix
C)scope
D)estimation

Question 36

In a preliminary investigation report, the ____ contain(s) a brief description of the system, the name of the person or group performing the investigation, and the name of the person or group who initiated the investigation.

A)introduction
B)systems request summary
C)expected benefits
D)time and costs estimates

Question 37

When assessing priorities for systems requests, a systems analyst should look for a high score in which of the following ____.

A)Will the proposed system diminish customer service?
B)Will the proposed system increase costs?
C)Will the proposed system result in less information for the organization?
D)Will the proposed system increase revenue for the company?

Question 38

Of the measures of feasibility in the accompanying figure, ____ assesses tangible and intangible benefits to the company in addition to costs.

A)schedule feasibility
B)technical feasibility
C)economic feasibility
D)operational feasibility

Question 39

In the preliminary investigation report, the ____ section contains the results of the preliminary investigation, including a description of the project's scope, constraints, and feasibility.

A)appendix
B)introduction
C)case for action
D)findings

Question 40

____ is an example of a discretionary project.

A)Creating a new report for a user
B)Adding a report required by a new federal law
C)Including annual updates to payroll and tax percentages
D)Including quarterly changes in insurance reporting required by law

Question 41

As users rely more heavily on information systems to perform their jobs, they are likely to request even more IT services and support.

Question 42

Internal and external factors affect every business decision that a company makes, and IT systems are no exception.

Question 43

Systems requests seldom are aimed at improving service to customers or users within a company.

Question 44

Common reasons for systems requests are ____.

A)improved services
B)weaker controls
C)better performance
D)reduced cost

Question 45

By questioning users about additional capabilities they would like to have, instead of focusing on difficulties, a systems analyst ____.

A)leaves project scope undefined
B)gets a better understanding of operations
C)highlights ways to improve the user's job
D)builds better, more positive relationships with users

Question 46

In a preliminary investigation report, the case for action section includes a summary of the project request and a specific recommendation. _________________________

Question 47

A SWOT analysis contributes to the strategic planning process by identifying ____ resources.

A)technical
B)human
C)financial
D)logistical

Question 48

____ is/are an external factor(s) that affect(s) IT systems projects.

A)Technology
B)Competitors
C)Managers
D)Suppliers

Question 49

Competition drives many information systems decisions.

Question 50

A Gantt chart is drawn as a vertical bar graph; arranged in descending order, so the team can focus on the most important causes, the bars represent various causes of a problem. _________________________

Question 51

A clear definition of project scope and constraints promotes misunderstandings that arise where managers assume that the system will have a certain feature or support for a project, but later find that the feature is not included. _________________________

Question 52

____ is/are an internal factor(s) that affect(s) IT systems projects.

A)The economy
B)User requests
C)Strategic plans
D)Existing systems and data

Question 53

A company's mission statement is unrelated to its major goals, shorter-term objectives, and day-to-day business operations.

Question 54

It is easier to assign dollar values to intangible benefits. _________________________

Question 55

A strategic plan that stresses technology tends to create an unfavorable climate for IT projects that extends throughout an organization.

Question 56

Information systems that interact with customers usually receive low priority.

Question 57

As a project progresses, conditions never change.

Question 58

Management leadership and information technology are unconnected, and no significant changes have occurred in either area.

Question 59

Data entry controls should be excessive without being effective.

Question 60

Regardless of the type, all constraints should be identified as late as possible. _________________________

Question 61

A systems project seldom produces significant changes in company operations.

Question 62

Economic activity has little influence on corporate information management.

Question 63

The first step in evaluating feasibility is to accept and include all systems requests, even those that are not feasible.

Question 64

Whenever possible, a systems analyst should evaluate a proposed project based on tangible costs and benefits that represent actual (or approximate) dollar values.

Question 65

Before beginning a preliminary investigation, it is important to let people know about the investigation and explain the systems analyst's role.

Question 66

Feasibility analysis is an ongoing task that must be performed throughout the systems development process.

Question 67

The purpose of an interview, and of the preliminary investigation itself, is to convince others that a project is justified, not to uncover facts.

Question 68

Few nondiscretionary projects are predictable.

Question 69

The format of a preliminary investigation report is the same from one company to another.

Question 70

Most large companies rely on one person to evaluate systems requests instead of a committee.

Question 71

If only one person has the necessary IT skills and experience to evaluate systems requests, that person should consult closely with users and managers throughout the company to ensure that business and operational needs are considered carefully.

Question 72

Even if users have difficulty with a new system, it still will produce the expected benefits.

Question 73

To achieve its goals, a company develops a list of shorter-term _________________________, which translate into day-to-day business operations.

Question 74

The outcome of the day-to-day business operations, supported by IT and other corporate resources, is a set of business results that affect company _________________________.

Question 75

When assessing schedule feasibility, a systems analyst must consider the interaction between time and costs.

Question 76

When interacting with users, a systems analyst should focus on difficulties instead of questioning users about additional capability they would like to have.

Question 77

The term _________________________ refers to the reasons, or justification, for a systems development proposal.

Question 78

After composing a mission statement, a company identifies a set of _________________________ that will accomplish the mission.

Question 79

Often a change in one system has an unexpected effect on another system.

Question 80

A(n) _________________________ describes a company for its stakeholders and briefly states the company's overall purpose, products, services, and values.