Deck 18: Introduction to Systems Development and Systems Analysis

Question 1

An antiquated information system used by an office supply manufacturer caused customer dissatisfaction since it took two days to process a telephone order.After the system was upgraded and redesigned,the time to process a telephone order was reduced to three minutes.This is a prime example of

A)a competitive advantage.
B)a technological change.
C)an improved business process.
D)growth.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

One step in the systems development life cycle (SDLC)identifies and evaluates design alternatives and to develop design specifications.This step is called

A)conceptual design.
B)implementation and conversion.
C)physical design.
D)systems analysis.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

In which phase of the systems development life cycle are the new hardware and software for a system tested?

A)conceptual design
B)implementation and conversion
C)operations and maintenance
D)physical design

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Whether systems changes are major or minor,most companies go through a system development life cycle.How many steps are there in this cycle?

A)2
B)3
C)4
D)5

Question 5

Who is responsible for preparing the specifications that are used to create the programs?

A)management
B)programmers
C)systems analysts
D)the information systems steering committee

Question 6

Which of the following activities is performed during the systems development life cycle?

A)assessing the ongoing feasibility of the project
B)managing the behavioral reactions to change
C)planning
D)All of the above activities are performed during the life cycle.

Question 7

What is the basic building block of information systems planning?

A)the master plan
B)the project development plan
C)systems analysis
D)adaptability

Question 8

Which group of individuals listed below can be the most effective in generating employee support and encouraging the development and acceptance of an AIS project?

A)accountants
B)information systems steering committee
C)management
D)project development team

Question 9

What is the role of the information systems steering committee?

A)It is a team of systems specialists,managers,accountants,and auditors that guides project development.
B)Since AIS development spans functional and divisional boundaries,an executive-level group is established to plan and oversee the IS function.
C)The group takes an active role in designing system controls and periodically monitoring and testing the system to verify the controls are implemented and functioning properly.
D)None of the descriptions above are appropriate.

Question 10

What is the planning horizon for the master plan?

A)one year
B)three years
C)five years
D)seven years

Question 11

In which phase of the systems development life cycle are the broad needs of the users converted into detailed specifics that are coded and tested?

A)conceptual design
B)implementation and conversion
C)physical design
D)systems analysis

Question 12

Which group of professionals is responsible for planning and monitoring a project to ensure timely and cost-effective completion?

A)information systems steering committee
B)management
C)project development team
D)system analysts

Question 13

What is the correct sequence of the phases in the systems development life cycle?

A)conceptual design,physical design,system analysis,implementation and conversion,and operations and maintenance
B)conceptual design,system analysis,physical design,implementation and conversion
C)system analysis,conceptual design,physical design,implementation and conversion,and operations and maintenance
D)system analysis,physical design,conceptual design,and operations and maintenance

Question 14

In which step of the SDLC do all of the elements of the system come together?

A)conceptual design
B)implementation and conversion
C)physical design
D)systems analysis

Question 15

In which plan is the prioritized list of projects contained?

A)project development plan
B)scheduled project plan
C)the master plan
D)all of the above

Question 16

Which group listed below has responsibility for ensuring that the new AIS will meet the needs of users?

A)accountants
B)the information system steering committee
C)the project development team
D)the system analysts and programmers

Question 17

Organizations continually face the need for new,faster,and more reliable ways of obtaining information.One reason why companies change their systems is to increase quality,quantity,and the speed with which information can be accessed and processed.Such an improvement may result in an improved product or service and may help lower costs.This change is referred to as a(n)

A)competitive advantage
B)improved business process
C)productivity gain
D)technological change

Question 18

A planning horizon of at least __________ years is reasonable for any master plan; however,the plan should be updated at least __________ each year.

A)3; twice
B)5; twice
C)7; once
D)5; once

Question 19

__________ requires that all activities and the precedent and subsequent relationships among them be identified.

A)CASE
B)The Gantt chart
C)The PERT diagram
D)The SDLC cycle

Question 20

All of the following are benefits of planning and managing systems development with the exception of

A)controlling costs
B)ensuring that the system is consistent with the organization's goals.
C)guaranteeing use of the system
D)helping keep the organization abreast of technological change

Question 21

There are several important aspects to be considered during a feasibility study.The aspect that asks the question,"Can people use the system and will they use it?" is called

A)economic feasibility.
B)operational feasibility.
C)scheduling feasibility.
D)technical feasibility.

Question 22

A good rule to follow is "Avoid complex systems that cause radical changes." What expression is used to describe this system design rule?

A)humanize the system
B)keep the system simple
C)present the system in its proper context
D)test the system's integrity

Question 23

A federal law demands that certain information about foreign customers should be maintained in the information system.In which part of a feasibility study should this requirement be considered?

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

Question 24

During what step in systems analysis is an examination made of each development activity to define the problem to be solved?

A)information needs and systems requirements
B)the feasibility study
C)the initial investigation
D)the systems survey

Question 25

It is appropriate to develop several different design approaches to meeting system requirements for a project.Capital budgeting techniques are used to evaluate the economic merits of each alternative.The technique where estimated future cash flows are discounted back to the present is referred to as

A)the future value method.
B)the internal rate of return.
C)the net present value method.
D)the payback method.

Question 26

What is another name for a feasibility study?

A)a business case
B)a Gantt chart
C)an executive summary
D)PERT

Question 27

Which of the following parts of a feasibility study is generally considered the most important and is frequently re-analyzed?

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

Question 28

When using the payback method to determine economic feasibility of projects,the company usually accepts the project with the

A)longest payback period.
B)mid-range payback period.
C)payback period that is equal to the project's economic life.
D)shortest payback period.

Question 29

What is most difficult item to quantify when assessing economic feasibility?

A)benefits
B)costs
C)Costs,benefits,and the payback period are all of equal difficulty.
D)the payback period

Question 30

The type of resistance in which data are erroneously entered into a system is called

A)acceptance.
B)aggression.
C)avoidance.
D)projection.

Question 31

A network of arrows and nodes representing project activities that require an expenditure of time and resources and the completion of initiation of activities,respectively,is called

A)a Gantt chart.
B)a PERT diagram.
C)a SDLC cycle.
D)CASE.

Question 32

The question of economic feasibility is important when designing and implementing a new system.Accountants can contribute to feasibility study analysis by evaluating cost savings and other benefits versus operating costs and other cash outflows.This is better known as

A)the "best guess" model of benefit analysis.
B)the "value added" benefit model.
C)the capital budgeting model.
D)the estimated benefits model.

Question 33

To minimize adverse behavioral reactions,the organization must first understand why resistance to change occurs.One behavioral problem occurs when there is insufficient explanation of why a change must take place.In order to curtail this resistance from occurring within the organization,what guideline should be implemented and followed?

A)attempt to meet the users' needs
B)avoid emotionalism
C)keep communication lines open
D)keep the system simple

Question 34

Major resistance to change takes one of several forms.What is the name of the form of resistance where the new system is blamed for any and every unpleasant occurrence?

A)aggression
B)avoidance
C)procrastination
D)projection

Question 35

What is the basic model used to create a framework for economic feasibility analysis?

A)the capital budgeting model
B)the cash budgeting model
C)the cost/benefit model
D)All of the above models are used to create a framework.

Question 36

Continuing to use a manual system instead of the new AIS is a form of resistance known as

A)acceptance.
B)aggression.
C)avoidance.
D)projection.

Question 37

Which planning technique does not show the relationships among various activities?

A)Gantt chart
B)PERT
C)the critical path method
D)VAN

Question 38

Systems development planning is an important step in the SDLC for a number of reasons.When management is better prepared for future resource needs and employees are better prepared for the changes that will occur,it can be said that the systems development planning has

A)adaptability.
B)attained lower costs.
C)consistency.
D)reached a level of efficiency.

Question 39

In which phase of the systems development life cycle is the feasibility study first performed?

A)conceptual design
B)implementation and conversion
C)physical design
D)system analysis

Question 40

To minimize adverse behavioral reactions,the organization must first understand why resistance to change occurs.One behavioral problem occurs when there is insufficient explanation of why a change must take place.This type of problem falls into the general category of

A)communication.
B)natural resistance to change.
C)the manner in which the change is introduced.
D)top management support of change.

Question 41

How frequently should an AIS be monitored and any minor modifications be made to it?

A)annually
B)continuously
C)when technology changes
D)when the competition changes its systems

Question 42

Which method of data gathering is most likely to result in information that represents the personal biases and opinions of the person giving the information?

A)a questionnaire
B)an interview
C)observation by the analyst
D)system documentation

Question 43

Which group is responsible for preparing a systems analysis report?

A)computer analysts
B)management
C)the project development team
D)the steering committee

Question 44

Which data-gathering approach is most helpful when the information to be gathered deals with question: "Why?"

A)interviews
B)observation by the analyst
C)questionnaires
D)system documentation

Question 45

A project development team at Midwest Construction was assigned the task of improving the efficiency of the firm's accounting information system.As part of the ______ step in systems development life cycle,the team has determined that the objectives of the project can be accomplished by installing a new computer system or by upgrading the existing system.

A)systems analysis
B)operations and maintenance
C)implementation and conversion
D)physical design
E)conceptual design

Question 46

One strategy used by systems analysts is prototyping.What is this?

A)making an internal and external review of the system to be analyzed
B)making an internal and external review of the system to be analyzed,noting that users may not use the existing AIS as intended
C)simply asking users what they need
D)when it is difficult to identify a usable set of requirements,a developer can quickly "rough" out a system for users to critique

Question 47

When is a proposal to conduct a systems analysis prepared?

A)after a written request for systems development is prepared
B)after the development team completes the survey of the existing AIS
C)after the initial investigation of the project is approved
D)before the initial investigation

Question 48

Which is the best data-gathering approach to use when information must be obtained from many different people?

A)a questionnaire
B)an interview
C)observation by the analyst
D)system documentation

Question 49

It is important for the systems analyst to determine AIS system objectives so that everyone involved can focus on the elements most vital to the system's success.The __________ objective states that crucial information should be produced first and then less important items as time permits.

A)flexibility
B)reliability
C)timeliness
D)usefulness

Question 50

What report serves as a repository of data from which systems designers can draw information?

A)the executive steering committee report
B)the initial investigation report
C)the systems analysis report
D)the systems survey report

Question 51

During which phase of systems analysis does modeling of the existing system occur?

A)information needs and system requirements
B)the feasibility study
C)the initial investigation
D)the systems survey

Question 52

A method used to gather information about an existing system is to make a model of it.There are several approaches to modeling in systems analysis.Logical modeling

A)comes only after a physical model of the existing system is created.
B)describes how a system should work,rather than how it actually works.
C)illustrates how a system functions by describing the flow of documents and computer processes.
D)illustrates what is being done,regardless of how that flow is actually accomplished.

Question 53

What are the best strategies for determining system requirements?

A)analyze existing systems,ask users what they need,prototyping,and monitoring
B)ask users what they need,analyze existing systems,develop concept of new system,and prototyping
C)ask users what they need,analyze existing systems,examine existing system utilization,and prototyping
D)ask users what they need,analyze existing systems,examine existing system utilization,and develop concept of new system

Question 54

The __________ method of gathering information helps to determine how a system should work.

A)interview
B)observation
C)questionnaire
D)system documentation

Question 55

The __________ method of gathering information helps to determine how a system actually works.

A)interview
B)observation
C)questionnaire
D)system documentation

Question 56

When the information is brief and well defined,which is the best data-gathering approach to use?

A)a questionnaire
B)an interview
C)observation by the analyst
D)system documentation

Question 57

A project development team at Midwest Construction was assigned the task of improving the efficiency of the firm's accounting information system.As part of the ______ step in systems development life cycle,the team has determined that implementation of the new system will yield an internal rate of return of 24.8%.

A)systems analysis
B)operations and maintenance
C)implementation and conversion
D)physical design
E)conceptual design

Question 58

The question of what the project should and should not accomplish is determined in what step of systems analysis?

A)feasibility study
B)initial investigation
C)systems analysis report
D)systems survey

Question 59

When would a company go through a systems development life cycle?

A)only when major changes are needed
B)only when minor changes are needed
C)Usually a company only goes through one complete systems development life cycle,after which the only phase that is repeated is the operations and maintenance phase.
D)whenever minor or major changes are needed

Question 60

Proper systems analysis is a five-step process.What is the step in which analysts conduct an extensive study of the present system to gain a thorough understanding of how it works?

A)feasibility study
B)information needs and requirements
C)systems analysis report
D)systems survey

Question 61

Refer to the PERT diagram below,where the numbers next to the arrows refer to the number of days required for completion of the corresponding activity.What is the critical path?

A)A-B-D-F
B)A-C-E-F
C)A-B-D-E-F
D)A-C-B-D-F
E)A-C-B-D-E-F

Question 62

On March 18,2008,a newly installed robotic painting system broke down.A technician was called to repair the system.She found that a shoe had been shoved into the system's innards.This is an example of dealing with change by

A)deterrence.
B)projection.
C)avoidance.
D)aggression.

Question 63

Three months after a new telephone system with voice mail was installed at Modest Expectations College in Pennsylvania,several senior faculty members were contacted by a telecommunications secretary and were told that their voice mail boxes were full.It turns out that they had never learned how to check their voice mail.This is an example of dealing with change by

A)deterrence.
B)projection.
C)avoidance.
D)aggression.

Question 64

Refer to the PERT diagram below,where the numbers next to the arrows refer to the number of days required for completion of the corresponding activity.What is the critical path?

A)A-B-D-F
B)A-C-E-F
C)A-B-D-E-F
D)A-C-B-D-F
E)A-C-B-D-E-F

Question 65

A project development team at Midwest Construction was assigned the task of improving the efficiency of the firm's accounting information system.As part of the ______ step in systems development life cycle,the team defined the procedures to back up and secure system data.

A)systems analysis
B)operations and maintenance
C)implementation and conversion
D)physical design
E)conceptual design

Question 66

Refer to the table below,which shows the results of payback,net present value,and internal rate of return analysis of four projects.Which is preferred by the payback criterion?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 67

Refer to the table below,which shows the results of payback,net present value,and internal rate of return analysis of four projects.Which is preferred by the net present value criterion?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 68

Which of the following aspect of a feasibility study is concerned with human resources?

A)Economic feasibility
B)Technical feasibility
C)Legal feasibility
D)Scheduling feasibility
E)Operational feasibility

Question 69

Which of the following aspect of a feasibility study is concerned with meeting external reporting requirements?

A)Economic feasibility
B)Technical feasibility
C)Legal feasibility
D)Scheduling feasibility
E)Operational feasibility

Question 70

Dysfunctional employee behavior in response to implementation of a new computerized information system is likely to be the result of

A)poor human resource policies.
B)lack of communication and training.
C)weak system controls.
D)inadequate compensation policies.

Question 71

Refer to the table below,which shows the results of payback,net present value,and internal rate of return analysis of four projects.Which is preferred by the internal rate of return criterion?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 72

A project development team at Midwest Construction was assigned the task of improving the efficiency of the firm's accounting information system.As part of the ______ step in systems development life cycle,the team has initiated an end user training program in preparation for switching over to the new system.

A)systems analysis
B)operations and maintenance
C)implementation and conversion
D)physical design
E)conceptual design

Question 73

The least time-consuming method of collecting data for use in a systems survey is

A)observation.
B)interviews.
C)questionnaires.
D)reviewing system documentation.

Question 74

Shortly after a new automated quality assurance system went online,production output declined by three percent.The production manager,a long time employee,blamed the new system.He argued that "after we laid off Tom and Jimmy and put this machine in,things just slowed down.Nothing seems to work right anymore." This is an example of dealing with change by

A)deterrence.
B)projection.
C)avoidance.
D)aggression.

Question 75

Refer to the table below,which shows the results of payback,net present value,and internal rate of return analysis of four projects.Which is preferred by the payback criterion?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 76

Refer to the PERT diagram below,where the numbers next to the arrows refer to the number of days required for completion of the corresponding activity.What is the critical path?

A)A-B-D-F
B)A-C-E-F
C)A-B-D-E-F
D)A-C-B-D-F
E)A-C-B-D-E-F

Question 77

Refer to the table below,which shows the results of payback,net present value,and internal rate of return analysis of four projects.Which is preferred by the internal rate of return criterion?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 78

Identify the main reasons why companies change existing systems?

Question 79

Refer to the table below,which shows the results of payback,net present value,and internal rate of return analysis of four projects.Which is preferred by the net present value criterion?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 80

Which of the following is the most important and frequently analyzed aspect of a feasibility study?

A)Economic feasibility
B)Technical feasibility
C)Legal feasibility
D)Scheduling feasibility
E)Operational feasibility