Question 1

The _____ approach to systems development uses specialized tools to automate many of the tasks in the systems development life cycle.

Accepted Answer

The integrated computer-assisted software engineering (ICASE) approach uses software tools to automate various tasks of the systems development life cycle. It is designed to enhance productivity and efficiency in software development while reducing the risk of errors. Therefore, A is the best choice as it describes the approach that uses specialized tools to automate tasks.

Question 2

Computer-aided software engineering tools provide which of the following disadvantages?

Accepted Answer

Computer-aided software engineering tools can have all of the mentioned disadvantages, including producing initial systems that are more expensive to build and maintain, requiring more extensive and accurate definition of user requirements, being difficult to customize, and difficult to use with existing systems.

Question 3

An application service provider is a vendor who assembles the software needed by an enterprise and packages the software with outsourced development, operations, maintenance, and other services.

Accepted Answer

An application service provider (ASP) is a vendor who provides access to software applications and related services over the internet. They assemble the necessary software and provide other services such as development, operations, and maintenance to their clients.

Question 4

Which of the following are advantages of the buy option for acquiring IS applications?

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed are advantages of the buy option for acquiring IS applications.

Question 5

The feasibility study addresses which of the following issues?

Accepted Answer

A feasibility study addresses all three issues: economic feasibility (whether the project is financially viable and profitable), technical feasibility (whether the project can be successfully implemented from a technical perspective) and behavioral feasibility (whether the project is acceptable to stakeholders and users).

Question 6

Computer-aided software engineering tools provide which of the following advantages?

Accepted Answer

Computer-aided software engineering tools provide all of the above advantages, including longer effective operational lives, better alignment with user requirements, faster development, and increased adaptability to changing business conditions.

Question 7

The _____ is a set of long-range goals that describe the IT infrastructure and identify the major IT initiatives needed to achieve the goals of the organization.

Accepted Answer

The IT strategic plan is a set of long-term goals that outlines how information technology will support and enable the organization's overall strategic objectives. It identifies major IT initiatives needed to achieve these goals and provides a roadmap for IT investments and projects. The other options, such as IT operational plan, application portfolio, user information requirements, and IT mission, may be components or subsets of the IT strategic plan, but they do not fully capture the scope and strategic focus of the plan itself.

Question 8

In joint application design, systems analysts interview or directly observe potential users of the new system individually to understand each user's needs.

Accepted Answer

In joint application design, potential users participate in group sessions to collaboratively determine system requirements, rather than being interviewed or observed individually.

Question 9

The IT planning process begins with an analysis of the organization's IT infrastructure.

Accepted Answer

The IT planning process typically begins with an understanding of the organization's strategic goals and objectives, not directly with an analysis of the IT infrastructure.

Question 10

Evaluating the benefits of IT projects is more complex than evaluating their costs for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

All of the reasons listed contribute to why evaluating the benefits of IT projects is more complex than evaluating their costs. The benefits of IT projects can be harder to quantify and are often intangible. Additionally, IT can be used for multiple purposes, which can make it difficult to assess which benefits should be prioritized. Finally, the probability of obtaining a return on an IT investment is not only based on the cost but also on the probability of implementation success, which can be challenging to predict.

Question 11

The goals of the _____ are to link corporate strategy and IT strategy, approve the allocation of resources for the MIS function, and establish performance measures for the MIS function and see that they are met.

Accepted Answer

The IT steering committee is responsible for linking corporate strategy and IT strategy, approving the allocation of resources for the MIS function, and establishing and monitoring performance measures for the MIS function. The other options may have a role in IT governance, but they do not have the specific responsibilities listed in the question.

Question 12

The _____ approach to systems development defines an initial list of user requirements, then develops the system in an iterative fashion.

Accepted Answer

Prototyping involves creating an initial version of a system and then refining it through multiple iterations based on user feedback, which aligns with the description given.

Question 13

Advantages of Rapid Application Development include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

All of the above advantages are true for Rapid Application Development (RAD). The active involvement of users in the development process helps ensure that the final system meets their needs, while the faster development process reduces the time and cost required to create the system. This can also help reduce training costs, as the system is more likely to be intuitive and easy to use. Overall, RAD is a popular approach for organizations looking to quickly develop applications that meet specific business needs.

Question 14

The main advantage of rapid application development is the active involvement of users in the development process.

Accepted Answer

Rapid application development places a strong emphasis on user involvement throughout the development process, with the goal of developing software that is more closely aligned with user needs and preferences. This involvement can lead to more effective and efficient development overall.

Question 15

A typical IS operational plan contains which of the following elements?

Accepted Answer

A typical IS operational plan includes the mission of the IS function, a summary of the information needs of the functional areas and of the entire organization, the IS function's estimate of its goals, and an application portfolio. Therefore, all of the options (A, B, C, D) are correct and the best choice is E.

Question 16

Leasing can be attractive to small and medium-size organizations that cannot afford major investments in software.

Accepted Answer

Leasing allows small and medium-sized organizations to use software without having to make a large upfront investment, making it an attractive option for them.

Question 17

IT applications can be developed in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

All of the above options can be used to develop IT applications, and the best choice would depend on the specific needs and circumstances of the organization. Building the system in-house can provide greater control and customization, while buying an application and installing it can offer a faster solution with lower initial costs. Leasing software from an application service provider can provide access to specialized software and technical support, while outsourcing can provide access to expertise and cost savings. Ultimately, the best choice(s) will depend on factors such as budget, timeline, expertise, and specific requirements.

Question 18

____ feasibility determines if the hardware, software, and communications components can be developed and/or acquired to solve the business problem.

Accepted Answer

Technical feasibility involves determining if the technology solution can be developed or acquired to effectively solve the business problem. This includes assessing if the hardware, software, and communications components are available or can be developed to support the solution. Economic feasibility concerns the financial aspects of a project, organizational feasibility considers whether the solution aligns with the company’s culture and values, and behavioral feasibility involves assessing if the solution is acceptable to the people who will use it.

Quiz 13: Acquiring Information Systems and Applications