Deck 12: Building Information Systems and Managing Projects

Question 1

According to the chapter case, the Girl Scouts' conversion strategy of first introducing the modules for ordering cookies and then introducing the modules for transmitting orders and instructions to the cookie factory and shipper is called a(n) ________ strategy.

A) direct cutover
B) indirect cutover
C) incremental conversion
D) parallel
E) phased approach

Answer 1

E

Question 2

In a direct cutover conversion strategy, the new system:

A) is tested by an outsourced company.
B) replaces the old one at an appointed time.
C) and the old are run together.
D) is introduced in stages.
E) is run in at least two separate divisions in order to compare results.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

According to the chapter case, one objective of the new Girl Scouts' information systems was to allow greater centralization and control of profits and delivery.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A(n) ________ details the costs and benefits of each alternative and the changes that the organization will have to make to use the solution effectively.

A) feasibility study
B) information requirements analysis
C) implementation plan
D) alternative selection process
E) testing plan

Question 5

Which is the first step in developing a new information system?

A) Defining the problem
B) Gathering information requirements
C) Programming
D) Developing alternative solutions
E) Feasibility study

Question 6

In the opening case, why was the decision made to develop a standard nationwide ordering system that automated cookie ordering?

A) Lowest cost solution
B) Most feasible solution
C) Least technical complexity
D) Maintained the role of individual girl scouts
E) Shorter development time

Question 7

A new information system is not considered in production until implementation is complete.

Question 8

Each program in a new information system is tested separately in:

A) application testing.
B) acceptance testing.
C) unit testing.
D) user testing.
E) system testing.

Question 9

According to the chapter case, what was the primary problem facing the Girl Scouts regarding their supply chain problems?

A) There were high error rates in ordering and fulfillment.
B) It required too much time of volunteers.
C) The paper-based system was outdated.
D) There was no integration with suppliers.
E) The ordering process was inefficient for a large volume of orders.

Question 10

Acceptance testing:

A) includes all the preparations for the trials.
B) tests the functioning of the system as a whole.
C) tests each program separately.
D) provides the final certification that the system is ready to be used in a production setting.
E) rolls system tests out to separate business divisions for independent results.

Question 11

Which process develops a detailed description of the functions that a new information system must perform?

A) Feasibility study
B) Systems design
C) Test plan development
D) PERT chart
E) Requirements analysis

Question 12

Changes in hardware, software, documentation, or production to a production system to correct errors, meet new requirements, or improve processing efficiencies are termed:

A) compliance.
B) production.
C) maintenance.
D) acceptance.
E) conversion.

Question 13

A systems analysis includes a ________ that is used to determine whether the solution is achievable from a financial, technical, and organizational standpoint.

A) test plan
B) conversion plan
C) feasibility study
D) risk analysis
E) GANTT chart

Question 14

In a parallel conversion strategy, the new system:

A) is tested by an outsourced company.
B) replaces the old one at an appointed time.
C) and the old are run together.
D) is introduced in stages.
E) is run in at least two separate divisions in order to compare results.

Question 15

System testing:

A) includes all the preparations for the series of tests to be performed on the system.
B) tests the functioning of the system as a whole.
C) tests each program separately.
D) provides the final certification that the system is ready to be used in a production setting.
E) rolls system tests out to separate business divisions for independent results.

Question 16

The entire system-building effort begins with and is driven by:

A) senior managers.
B) the CIO.
C) information requirements.
D) end-user users
E) the project management team.

Question 17

The first step in the problem solving process is to define the problem that needs to be solved.

Question 18

Which is the last step in developing a new information system?

A) Training and documentation
B) Conversion
C) Maintenance
D) Change management
E) Implementing the system

Question 19

Documentation reveals how the system works from both a technical and end-user standpoint.

Question 20

________ provides a model for an information system solution and consists of all the specifications that will deliver the functions identified during systems analysis.

A) A feasibility study
B) An information requirements analysis
C) A systems design
D) An alternative selection process
E) A testing plan

Question 21

________ is a stand-alone application designed to run on a specific mobile platform and device.

A) A mobile browser
B) A mobile web site
C) A responsive mobile web app
D) A native app
E) HTML5

Question 22

Which of the following is the biggest risk in using end-user development to create a new information system?

A) The software used may create inaccurate information.
B) The system doesn't adequately reflect user needs.
C) Hardware is unable to support the new system.
D) The system may not be able to scale up to handle larger amounts of data.
E) End users are overly taxed and become reluctant to use the system.

Question 23

The oldest method for building information systems is:

A) JAD.
B) prototyping.
C) object-oriented development.
D) the systems development life cycle.
E) RAD.

Question 24

Of the following, which is the most important reason for creating a mobile version of a business's website?

A) Mobile devices provide access from anywhere.
B) Mobile devices use touch interfaces.
C) Mobile devices use lower bandwidth.
D) Mobile devices use different platforms.
E) Mobile websites use different programming than traditional websites.

Question 25

The process of creating workable information systems in a very short period of time is called:

A) RAD.
B) Systems life cycle.
C) prototyping.
D) end-user development.
E) SDLC.

Question 26

As a technical project manager, you have decided to propose implementing a prototyping methodology for a small web-based design project. What is the first step you will follow in this project?

A) Use the existing prototype.
B) Identify user requirements.
C) Conduct a feasibility study.
D) Identify different solutions.
E) Develop an initial prototype.

Question 27

"Hidden costs," such as ________ costs, can easily undercut anticipated benefits from outsourcing.

A) hardware
B) software
C) employee salary
D) communications
E) vendor selection

Question 28

A test plan begins by testing how well the entire system works and identifying where it fails.

Question 29

Which of the following is a technique used to create websites that will conform to the screen resolution of the user?

A) Native design
B) Responsive web design
C) End-user design
D) Multiplatform design
E) Mobile development

Question 30

What is the purpose of systems analysis? Explain in detail what is involved in the process of systems analysis.

Question 31

Which of the following types of systems development is not characterized by short development times?

A) RAD
B) JAD
C) Prototyping
D) End-user development
E) SDLC

Question 32

In the traditional systems development life cycle, end users:

A) contribute heavily throughout development.
B) have no input.
C) contribute only during testing.
D) are important only during the conversion phase.
E) are limited to providing information requirements and reviewing the technical staff's work.

Question 33

Which of the following is not one of the unique considerations in developing applications for a mobile platform?

A) Reduced screen space
B) The telephone service provider
C) User gestures
D) Bandwidth constraints
E) Multiple mobile platforms

Question 34

You are an IT project manager for an advertising firm. The firm wishes to create an online survey tool that will be used to survey focus group reactions to products in development. The most important consideration for the firm is being able to offer the tool as soon as possible as a new corporate service. However, you know that many of the senior managers that are business owners of this project have difficulty in understanding technical or software development issues, and are likely to change their requirements during the course of development. What development method would be most successful for this project?

A) RAD
B) JAD
C) End-user development
D) Prototyping
E) SDLC

Question 35

You have been hired as a consultant to make recommendations for Smarty's, a healthy fast-food chain that is undergoing major expansion. Smarty's needs to create an enterprise resource planning system. However, Smarty's needs to have this system up and running as quickly as possible or it is likely they will begin losing business. What do you recommend?

Question 36

You work for the IT department of a startup and it is your job to set up the testing processes for a new enterprise system the company will be hosting. Describe the processes you will recommend. What unique considerations will you have?

Question 37

If an organization's requirements conflict with the software package chosen, and the package cannot be customized, the organization should:

A) select a different package.
B) outsource the development of the system.
C) redesign the RFP.
D) change the evaluation process.
E) change its procedures.

Question 38

A detailed list of questions submitted to external vendors to determine how well they meet the organization's specific requirements is called:

A) a feasibility study.
B) process specifications.
C) a systems analysis.
D) a case study.
E) a request for proposal.

Question 39

End-user development is useful primarily for creating:

A) enterprise systems.
B) user interfaces.
C) conventional programs.
D) mobile apps.
E) simple programs.

Question 40

________ enables websites to change layouts automatically according to the visitor's screen resolution, whether on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

A) Flexible layouts
B) Flexible images
C) Detecting user screen resolution
D) Responsive web design
E) Media queries to optimize design

Question 41

What are the advantages and disadvantages of prototyping? Describe the steps in prototyping. Give at least two circumstances under which prototyping might be useful.

Question 42

End-user developed solutions can be developed much faster than other approaches.

Question 43

Identify and describe the main five systems development approaches.

Question 44

Object-oriented modeling is based on the concepts of:

A) objects and relationships.
B) classes and objects.
C) class and inheritance.
D) objects and inheritance.
E) tables and relationships.

Question 45

Systems analysts typically gather facts about existing systems by interacting with end users.

Question 46

The primary tool for representing a system's component processes and the flow of data between them is the:

A) data dictionary.
B) process specifications diagram.
C) user documentation.
D) data flow diagram.
E) Gantt chart.

Question 47

Identify four types of rapid-cycle systems development. Why is rapid-cycle development a trend in current software development?

Question 48

To show each level of a system's design, its relationship to other levels, and its place in the overall design structure, structured methodologies use:

A) top-down structure charts.
B) Gantt charts.
C) process specifications diagrams.
D) data flow diagrams.
E) PERT charts.

Question 49

What is the difference between a mobile website and a mobile web app?

Question 50

In an object-oriented development framework for a university, how would the classes Degree, Mathematics, and Physics be related?

A) Degree would be a sister class to Mathematics and Physics.
B) Degree is a superclass to Mathematics and Physics.
C) Mathematics and Physics would be ancestors to Degree.
D) Degree would be a subclass to Mathematics and Physics.
E) Degree, Mathematics, and Physics would be three separate classes.

Question 51

Why is developing applications for mobile platforms so different from development for PC applications?

Question 52

An entire information system is broken down into its main subsystems by using:

A) high-level data flow diagrams.
B) low-level data flow diagrams.
C) process specifications.
D) structured diagrams.
E) Gantt charts.

Question 53

In object-oriented development, an object:

A) combines data with processes.
B) contains data that any other object can access or act upon.
C) is designed to process any data input.
D) can only interact with other objects of the same class.
E) is used to hold a collection of processes of the same class.

Question 54

Domestic outsourcing is driven primarily by the fact that outsourcing firms possess skills, resources, and assets that their clients do not have.

Question 55

One problem with prototyping is that the systems constructed may not be able to handle large quantities of data in a production environment.

Question 56

In the traditional systems development life cycle, each stage must be completed before the next stage begins.

Question 57

Native apps can function even if the device is not connected to the Internet.

Question 58

A prototype is the final working version of an information system.

Question 59

The term structured, when discussing structured methodologies, refers to the fact that:

A) the finished software is highly documented.
B) the development process is highly documented.
C) the techniques are step by step, with each step building on the previous one.
D) a defined hierarchy of objects and classes are used to structure the programming.
E) programming objects are organized into structured classes.

Question 60

In a data flow diagram, external entities are represented by:

A) rounded boxes.
B) square boxes.
C) circles.
D) open rectangles.
E) triangles.

Question 61

________ is an intangible benefit of information systems.

A) Improved decision making
B) Lower hardware cost
C) Reduced software cost
D) Lower maintenance cost
E) Increased sales

Question 62

Which process is used to develop risk profiles for a firm's information system projects and assets?

A) Information systems plan
B) Scoring model
C) Feasibility study
D) Systems analysis
E) Portfolio analysis

Question 63

What does the word "structured" mean in the term "structured methodologies"?

Question 64

According to the chapter ending case, which of the following is not one of the problems that the City of Philadelphia's Philly 311 Project was trying to solve?

A) Voter registration errors
B) Tracking of citizen requests
C) Provide social media access to the city's departments
D) Fixing potholes
E) Provide citizens a timeline for expected action by the city on their request

Question 65

A PERT chart:

A) portrays a project as a network diagram consisting of numbered nodes that represent tasks.
B) is used to evaluate project risk and time.
C) displays a horizontal bar for each project task.
D) tracks progress of, and modifications to, project tasks.
E) is used to evaluate project costs and benefits.

Question 66

________ describe the transformation occurring within the lowest level of the data flow diagrams. They express the logic of each process.

A) Structure charts
B) DFDs
C) Component procedures
D) Gantt charts
E) Process specifications

Question 67

Object-oriented development could potentially reduce the time and cost of writing software because:

A) object-oriented programming requires less training.
B) iterative prototyping is not required.
C) objects are reusable.
D) a single user interface object can be used for the entire application.
E) end users are responsible for creating the early prototypes.

Question 68

PaaS are online development environments that enable developers to quickly write customer- or employee-facing web applications.

Question 69

Which of the following is not a typical CASE tool?

A) Report generators
B) Analysis tools
C) Data dictionaries
D) Code generators
E) Debugging tools

Question 70

Objects are grouped into hierarchies, and hierarchies into classes.

Question 71

________ is a tangible benefit of information systems.

A) Improved asset usage
B) Reduced workforce
C) Better corporate image
D) More information
E) Improved resource control

Question 72

You have been hired by a pharmaceutical company to evaluate its portfolio of systems and IT projects. Which types of projects would be best avoided?

A) Any high-risk projects
B) Any low-benefit projects
C) High risk, high benefit projects
D) Any low-risk projects
E) High-risk, low-benefit projects

Question 73

Component-based development uses structured methodologies.

Question 74

What qualities of object-oriented development make this method especially suitable for Internet applications?

Question 75

________ refers to the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to achieve specific targets within specified budget and time constraints.

A) Systems analysis
B) Systems design
C) Project management
D) Project implementation
E) Project scope

Question 76

Identify and describe a key tool used in structured methodologies.

Question 77

CASE tools facilitate the creation of clear documentation and the coordination of team development efforts.

Question 78

________ provides software tools to automate development methodologies and reduce the amount of repetitive work in systems development.

A) XML
B) CAD
C) JAD
D) RAD
E) CASE

Question 79

Groups of objects are assembled into software components for common functions, which can be combined into large-scale business applications, in which type of software development?

A) Object-oriented development
B) Component-based development
C) Structured methodologies
D) RAD
E) End-user development

Question 80

________ platforms automate tasks such as setting up a newly composed application such as a web service or linking to other applications.

A) JAD
B) CASE
C) Cloud-based
D) PaaS
E) SDLC