File: ch07, Chapter 7: Moving Into Design Multiple Choice 1. In what SDLC SDLC stage do do we determin determine e the business business needs needs for an informati information on systems project? a. The The des desig ign n pha phase se b. Th The e ana analy lysi sis s pha phase se c. The The dis disse sect ctio ion n sta stage ge d. The instal installat lation ion stage stage e. The The big big bang bang stag stage e ns! b "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium '. System System design is the determi determinatio nation n of the o(erall o(erall system architec architecture ture)) consisting of a set of physical processing components* +++++++++++++++* and the communication among them)that will satisfy the system,s essential re$uirements. a. -orm orman ansh ship ip b. /rder /rder entry entry metho methods* ds* 0" 0" feedba feedbac c c. 0ar 0ardw dwar are* e* Soft Softwar ware* e* eop eople le d. 2ngineering 2ngineering data data plans* plans* 3ber 3ber optic optic speci3cat speci3cations ions e. 4one 4one of of the the abo abo(e (e ns! c "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium 5. In the initial initial stage of design* design* what what are business business re$uirem re$uirements ents con(erted con(erted into? into? a. Sy Syst stem em "e$u "e$uir irem emen ents ts b. -or or /r /rde derr Summ Summar ary y c. Comput Computer er 6uali3 6uali3cat cation ions s Checli Checlist st d. 7anil anilla la Syst System em e. 0ard 0ardwa ware re 8lue 8luepr prin intt ns! a "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium 9. During the the design stage* stage* the team must must create create a:n; ++++++++ +++++++++ + by specifyin specifying g access restrictions and by identifying the need for ++++++++* authentication and (irus control. a. Syst System em** integ integra rati tion on b. Security Security breach* breach* emergency emergency access access c. Sec Secure ure sys system tem** enc encryp ryptio tion n d. utomated utomated program* program* constant constant testing testing e. ecing ecing order* order* go(ernmenta go(ernmentall access access ns! c
"esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! 2asy <. -here are are the decisions decisions stored stored that are made made regardi regarding ng the hardwar hardware e and software that will be purchased to support the new system? a. /r /rde derr & &an anif ifes estt b. 0ardw 0ardwar are e Sales Sales "e "ecei ceipt pt c. Suppl Supplier iers, s, Comput Computer er System System d. res resid iden ent, t,s s /%c /%ce e e. 0ard 0ardwar ware e and Sof Softwar tware e Speci3 Speci3catio cation n ns! e "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! 2asy =. The system system inputs and outputs outputs will will be designed designed along with with a plan or+++++++ or++++++++++ +++ of the way the system,s features will be na(igated. a. 8luep ueprint b. Compass c. Instr Instruc ucti tion onal al >uid >uide e d. "oadmap e. #6 ns! d "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium . +++++++ repository entries are are updated to re@ect re@ect speci3c speci3c technology technology decisions decisions as they are made. a. D#D b. Se$ Se$uent uentia iall c. CS2 d. 0ar 0ardware are e. 4one 4one of the the a abo bo(e (e ns! c "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium A. -hich of the the following following lists indicates indicates the correct ordering of deli(erables deli(erables in a system speci3cation document? a. Syste System m c$uisition c$uisition -eight -eighted ed lternati( lternati(e e &atriB* Interface Interface Design* Design* hysical Data &odel Data Storage Design b. Data Storage Storage Design* Design* Interface Interface Design* Design* rchitect rchitecture ure Design* Design* pdated pdated Crud &atriB c. 0ardwar 0ardware e and Software Software Speci3cat Speci3cations* ions* Interface Interface Design* Design* Data Storage Storage Design* rchitecture Design d. rogram rogram Design Design Speci3cati Speci3cations* ons* hysical hysical Data &odel* &odel* Data Storage Storage Design* rchitecture Design e. pdate pdate CS2 "eposi "epository tory 2ntries* 2ntries* pdate pdate C"D &atriB* &atriB* Interface Interface Design* rchitecture Design
ns! a "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium . If on a limited time budget* the best way to be sure you remain e%cient and eEecti(e in designing a system is to utiliFe the ++++++++++++. a. orters < #orces &odel b. /utsourcing &odel c. "D and TimeboBing Techni$ues d. 0ireG#ire &oti(ational Theory e. 4ot ttempt the roject ns! c "esponse! See (oiding Classic Design &istaes Di%culty! &edium 1H.The system speci3cation contains what? a. Design documents* hardware and software speci3cation b. hysical process models* interface design c. hysical data model d. rchitecture design e. ll of the abo(e ns! e "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium 11.0ow many ways does the teBt suggest one can approach the creation of a new system? a. 1 b. ' c. 5 d. 9 e. ns! c "esponse! See Transition System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! &edium 1'.-hat sills are necessary when undertaing a custom software design? a. Technical b. #unctional c. roject &anagement d. and C e. * 8* and C ns! e "esponse! See Transition System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! &edium 15.#or e%ciency purposes* it is wise to+++++++++++ when there is a basic software need to be satis3ed. a. Implement a company)wide project team to handle a custom software scripting
b. urchase a pacaged system c. Design a blueprint and contract an outside (endor to de(elop a program d. &ae do with the current software pacage e. tiliFe a professional consultant to de(elop a system of ser(ers ns! b "esponse! See Transition System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! 2asy 19.2nterprise "esource lanning :2"; Systems are! a. ll)encompassing systems b. Di%cult to install and can result in serious problems for a company c. Cheaper since they are created by a third party d. and 8 e. 8 and C ns! d "esponse! See Transition System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! 0ard 1<.-orarounds are! a. 4ot supported by a (endor who supplied the software b. Designed by the (endor c. Created to interface two software pacages that are compatible with each other d. 2nterprise -ide Software acages that are designed for satellite use e. 4one of the abo(e ns! a "esponse! See Transition System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! 0ard 1=.Systems Integration refers to! a. The process of synching all computers to the mainframe b. The deli(ery of systems to the 3nal destination o%ce c. Combining pacaged software* the legacy system and new software d. dding the original hard dri(es to a newer system e. Creating a new software to monitor power consumption ns! c "esponse! See Transition System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! &edium 1.-hat maes systems integration so di%cult? a. #inding the original data to install on the new ser(er b. Creating a ghost dri(e to house the old information c. Installing new software pacages on older machines d. 8ringing legacy system data and new data together e. 4one of the abo(e ns! d "esponse! See Transition System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! &edium
1A.nother name for custom de(elopment might be! a. /Eshore outsourcing b. In)house de(elopment c. 7endor supplied in)house consulting d. CS2 tools e. acage software ns! b "esponse! see Custom De(elopment Di%culty! easy 1.-hich might 4/T be a good pacage software solution? a. ayroll at Clo(erfarms dairy b. ccounts recei(able at Staples c. "ocet control software for 4S d. Course management system at the ni(ersity of 4ebrasa e. Scanning software for roger grocery stores ns! c "esponse! see acaged Software Di%culty! easy 'H.-hich is probably true about pacaged software a. In most cases* the software is a perfect 3t for the companies need b. acaged software wors best where the company has a uni$ue need c. The time frame is @eBible to long d. The business need is common e. The project has a highly sills project manager who has been with the company for many years and has an eBcellent relationship with both business users and the IT de(elopment staE ns! d "esponse! see acaged Software Di%culty! easy '1./utsourcing can include! a. 0iring an eBternal (endor b. 0iring an eBternal de(eloper c. 0iring an eBternal ser(ice pro(ider d. and C e. * 8 and C ns! e "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! easy ''./utsourcing 3rms called +++++++++++++ supply software applications andGor software related ser(ices through the Internet. a. pplication Ser(ice ro(iders :Ss; b. 2nterprise "esource ro(iders :2"s; c. System De(elopment Life Cycle Companies :SDLCs; d. Information Technology De(elopers :ITDs; e. 4one of the abo(e
ns! a "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! &edium '5. time and arrangements deal is considered! a. 7ery @eBible b. 7ery rigid c. Cheaper than any other option d. seless when considering a systems design e. lways the best option for any project ns! a "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! &edium '9.#iBed)price contracts are considered! a. 7ery @eBible b. 7ery rigid c. lways cheaper than any other option d. seless when considering a systems design e. lways the best option for any project ns! b "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! &edium '<.7alue)added projects are! a. -hen the outsourcer earns a percentage of the completed systems bene3ts b. 4ot a feasible option for any project at any time c. >aining popularity d. and C e. 4one of the abo(e ns! d "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! &edium '=.Custom de(elopment is used when! a. The business need is uni$ue b. The business need is not core to the business c. The project has a project manager who can coordinate (endor eEorts d. The time frame is short e. The sills are not strategic ns! a "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! &edium '.acaged systems are used when! a. The business need is not core to the business
b. There is a desire to build in)house sills c. The time frame is @eBible d. The project has a project manager who can coordinate (endor eEorts e. The decision to outsource is strategic ns! d "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! &edium 'A.pplication ser(ice pro(iders might be best associated with! a. In)house de(elopment b. acaged software c. ni$ue and strategic systems d. /utsourcing e. Internet Ser(ice ro(iders ns! d "esponse! see /utsourcing Di%culty! easy '.&att is an analyst for the auBtis &edia Company. 0e is in his o%ce at
5'."e$uests for roposals :"#s; ser(e what purpose? a. Integrate systems with one another b. Create synergy amongst staE members c. Solicit information from pro(iders d. 2ngage mobile computers with mainframe technology e. De(elop morale amongst managers ns! c "esponse! Selecting an c$uisition Strategy Di%culty! hard 55. 8ecy is preparing a document that has detailed description of needs* special technical factors* e(aluation criteria* timetable and more. She is probably woring on a:n;! a. C"D matriB b. lternati(e &atriB c. "# d. 2" e. D#D ns! c "esponse! see Selecting an c$uisition strategy Di%culty! medium 59."e$uests for roposals :"#s; should contain a. Detailed description of needs b. Special technical needs c. 2(aluation criteria d. and 8 e. * 8 and C ns! e "esponse! Selecting an c$uisition Strategy Di%culty! hard 5<.-hen only a price is needed from a (endor* the following will liely be re$uested from the possible (endors! a. "e$uest for roposal :"#; b. "e$uest for Information :"#I; c. "e$uest for 6uote :"#6; d. "e$uest for 2%cient Information Distribution :"2ID; e. &ore /ptimal Desires :&/D; ns! c "esponse! Selecting an c$uisition Strategy Di%culty! medium 5=.The following document is utiliFed with possible (endors on projects with smaller budgets* instead of sending a lengthy document to all possible (endors! a. "e$uest for roposal :"#; b. "e$uest for Information :"#I;
c. "e$uest for 6uote :"#6; d. "e$uest for 2%cient Information Distribution :"2ID; e. &ore /ptimal Desires :&/D; ns! b "esponse! Selecting an c$uisition Strategy Di%culty! medium 5. "e$uest for Information :"#I; is used with (endors when there is a need for ++++++++? a. ricing b. Data nalysis c. Information d. 4etwor ssociate assword 0elp e. 4one of the abo(e ns! c "esponse! Selecting an c$uisition Strategy Di%culty! easy 5A.The score column in the lternati(e &atriB represents what? a. 0ow eBpensi(e the install will be b. 0ow easy the install will be c. 0ow well the criteria are met by the alternati(e d. 0ow long the coded page will be e. and D ns! c "esponse! lternati(e &atriB Di%culty! hard 5.The design phase of the SDLC! a. roduces a user,s manual* does users training and creates online documentation for the new system b. In(ol(es writing of code :generally in an object oriented language; c. ses the output of KD sessions to create logical use cases and D#Ds d. In(ol(es inter(iewing of users to determine re$uirements e. ses the re$uirements that were gathered during analysis to create a blueprint for the future system ns! e "esponse! see Introduction Di%culty! easy 9H.C"D matriB can be used in the design phase to wor with tables and possible user interaction with those tables. The letter CM in C"D stands for! a. Computer b. Create c. Communicate d. Complete e. Constant ns! b "esponse! see Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! medium
91.The letter N", in C"D matriB :for tables and user in(ol(ement; stands for! a. "eplace b. "eplicate c. "elationship d. "ead e. "ead)only ns! d "esponse! see Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! medium 9'. The letter DM in C"D matriB stands for! a. Delete b. Deny use c. Deli(er d. Document e. DenormaliFe ns! a "esponse! see Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! easy 95.-hich of the following is normally 4/T done in the design phase of the SDLC? a. Decisions for hardware and software purchases are made b. ser interactions are planned out :inputs* outputs* user interfaces; c. Cost G 8ene3ts of the new system are carefully calculated d. Logical D#Ds and 2"Ds are con(erted into physical D#Ds and 2"Ds e. The physical data model is created ns! c "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! medium 99.-hich is 4/T a part of the System Speci3cation document? a. se Cases b. hysical Data &odel c. pdated C"D matriB d. rchitecture Design e. System c$uisition -eighted alternati(e &atriB ns! a "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! medium 9<. -hich of the following is 4/T a system ac$uisition strategy as presented in the boo? a. Custom de(elopment b. /utsourcing to a regional consultant :lie I8&; c. se a KD session to ac$uire the system d. sing the company,s programming staE to write the code :aa Nin) house de(elopment,; e. 8uying a pre)written software pacage ns! c
"esponse! See System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! medium 9=.If :a; the business need is uni$ue* :b; there is a desire to build in)house sillsO :c; the time frame is @eBible* it might be best to! a. Do in)house G custom de(elopment b. 8uy an 2" system c. /utsource to India d. urchase a software pacage e. 0ire a consultant ns! a "esponse! See 8usiness 4eed :especially 3gure )9; Di%culty! medium 9. If :a; the business need is commonO :b; the sills needed are not strategicO :c; the time frame is shortO it might be best to! a. se in)house G custom de(elopment b. 0ire a (endor to write the code for you c. /utsource to India d. urchase a software pacage e. 0ire a consultant ns! d "esponse! See 8usiness 4eed :especially 3gure )9; Di%culty! medium 9A.If :a; the business need is not core to the businessO :b; the project has a highly silled project managerO :c; in)house functional or technical eBperience does not eBistO it might be best to! a. se in)house G custom de(elopment b. 8uy an 2" system c. /utsource to a company specialiFing in that technology d. urchase a software pacage e. 0ire a consultant ns! c "esponse! See 8usiness 4eed :especially 3gure )9; Di%culty! medium 9./ne problem with using pacages software systems is! a. It taes a (ery long time to get the system and get it installed b. The company has to accept the functionality that is pro(ided with the system c. &any common software pacages ha(e been written and tested and are readily a(ailable d. There are many good software pacages that are reasonable in price e. &ost software pacages allow for some customiFation ns! b "esponse! See 8usiness 4eed :especially 3gure )9; Di%culty! medium
a. Jou get a system that is tailored to the current business and meets speci3c needs b. The rapid de(elopment of custom systems c. The low cost :as compared to buying a pacage; d. The low ris factor e. The ability for in)house de(elopers to wor on systems that are in new programming languages and in technologies that are unnown to them prior to the de(elopment ns! a "esponse! see Custom De(elopment Di%culty! medium <1.-hich is 4/T true of outsourcing? a. It can be done oEshore b. It can be done by an S c. There can be a low cost of entry d. It re$uires a large in)house staE e. It can reduce internal IT costs ns! d "esponse! See /utsourcing Di%culty! easy <'.-hich is 4/T one of the primary contract types made with outsourcing? a. Time and arrangements b. #iBed)price contract c. Distance and con@uence contract d. 7alue)added contract e. aying for the eBpenses and time to get the job done ns! c "esponse! see /utsourcing Di%culty! medium <5.-hich is 4/T a recommended guideline for managing outsourcing? a. De3ne and stabiliFe re$uirements before signing a contract b. Don,t outsource what you don,t understand c. 2mphasiFe rigid eBpectations and short)term relationships d. Select the (endor* de(eloper or ser(ice pro(ider carefully e. eep the lines of communication open between you and your outsourcer ns! c "esponse! see /utsourcing Di%culty! medium <9.-hich is 4/T a factor in choosing a de(elopment option? a. Data base normaliFation b. In)house eBperience c. Time frame d. roject sills e. roject management ns! a
"esponse! see 8usiness 4eed Di%culty! easy <<.-hat percentage of companies on the Information-ee
entleman,s agreement on the oEer
c. Substantially more eBpensi(e project d. Custom de(elopment e. "eduction in in)house programming eEort ns! a "esponse! see Selecting a c$uisition Strategy Di%culty! medium =H. table that can be used to loo at (arious design options is a:n;! a. "# b. C"D c. >antt Chart d. lternati(e &atriB e. S6L $uery ns! d "esponse! see lternati(e &atriB Di%culty! easy =1.-hen using an alternati(e matriB* fre$uently analysts will assign ++++++++++++ to certain factors to signify the importance of the factor in the decision. a. robabilities b. "eluctance factors c. -eights d. roject sponsors e. Data stores ns! c "esponse! see lternati(e &atriB Di%culty! easy ='.n outsourcing arrangement where you pay no more than what was eBpected is nown as a:n;! a. Time and arrangements contract b. #iBed)price contract c. 7alue)added contract d. Distance and time contract e. 8illing operational contract ns! b "esponse! See /utsourcing Di%culty! easy
True False =5.System re$uirements are communicated through a collection of design documents and physical processes and data models. ns! True "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium
=9.8usiness re$uirements are communicated through a collection of design documents and physical processes and data models. ns! #alse "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium =<.The decision to mae* to buy* or to outsource in@uences the design tass that are performed throughout the rest of the design phase. ns! True "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! 2asy ==.There is no need to determine the reliability or performance of a new system due to the inherent dangers all technologies pose. ns! #alse "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! 2asy =.CS2 repository entries are updated to re@ect speci3c technology decisions as they are made. ns! True "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium =A.rototyping is the interface design step that often unco(ers additional information that is needed in the system* leading to a re(ision of the physical D#Ds or 2"s. ns! #alse "esponse! See Transition #rom "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! &edium =.There is absolutely no need for designing a custom system since there are already so many pre)pacaged systems a(ailable to any company regardless of its siFe. ns! #alse "esponse! See System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! 2asy H.8uilding a system in)house builds technical sills and functional nowledge that one may not want to allow to wal out of the door. ns! True "esponse! See System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! 2asy 1.0ighly silled IS rofessionals are easy to hire and retain. ns! #alse "esponse! See System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! 2asy
'.In a custom software case* all parts of the system need to be completely customiFed and scripted to the company,s speci3cations including ancillary software to the current system. ns! #alse "esponse! See System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! &edium 5.Letting technology dri(e a business can be dangerous. ns! True "esponse! See System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! &edium 9. woraround is a custom)built add)on program that interfaces with pacaged applications to handle speci3c needs. ns! True "esponse! See System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! &edium <.The ey challenge in systems integration is a(oiding a system wide crash upon installation of legacy software. ns! #alse "esponse! See System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! &edium =./utsourcing re$uires the least in)house resources. ns! True "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! 2asy ./utsourcing 3rms called pplication Software ro(iders :Ss; supply software applications andGor software related ser(ices through the Internet. ns! True "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! 2asy A.pplication Software ro(iders :Ss; should be utiliFed when considering non)core programming andGcustom needs. ns! True "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! &edium .Time and arrangements deals are potentially more eBpensi(e if the ser(ice pro(ider re$uires unforeseen resources to complete the project on time. ns! True "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! 2asy
AH.If the business need is core to the business then it is best to outsource the system de(elopment. ns! #alse "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! hard A1. common need to the business should be satis3ed by contracting with an pplication Ser(ice ro(ider :S;. ns! True "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! &edium A'.Custom de(elopment that can be achie(ed by the in)house team and core business practices are both eBamples of times when outsourcing is not an option. ns! True "esponse! /utsourcing Di%culty! &edium A5.The only sills that are applied during systems projects are technical. ns! #alse "esponse! roject Sills Di%culty! easy A9.The only sills that are applied during systems projects are functional. ns! #alse "esponse! roject Sills Di%culty! easy A<.The score column in the lternati(e &atriB represents how easily speci3c criteria are met by the alternati(e. ns! True "esponse! lternati(e &atriB Di%culty! easy A=.n IT department has just recei(ed its newest onslaught of system maintenance re$uests from the 3nance* mareting and accounting di(isions and has added them to the growing list of 3Bes needed. Tomorrow* there will be a re$uest placed by the CT/ that there is to be a new processing system put into place that will tae the place of the current &S -ord system. The best alternati(e is to utiliFe a custom program that will replace the original program. ns! #alse "esponse! In@uences on c$uisition Strategy Di%culty! easy
A. department head is apprehensi(e as to what implementation system he should employ. The best method of ensuring a successful and e%cient installation of the new systems would be to utiliFe an alternati(e matriB. ns! True "esponse! lternati(e &atriB Di%culty! easy AA.The Design phase of the SDLC uses the re$uirements that were gathered during analysis to actually build :and code if necessary; the 3nal system. ns! #alse "esponse! See Introduction Di%culty! &edium A.The Design phase of the SDLC builds on the logical designs from the analysis phase :lie logical 2"Ds and logical D#Ds; ns! True "esponse! See Introduction Di%culty! medium H. The design phase decides how the new system will operate. ns! True "esponse! See introduction Di%culty! easy 1.During the initial part of design* the project team con(erts the business re$uirements for the system into system re$uirements. ns! True "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! easy '.During the design phase* physical aspects of the system :lie physical D#Ds and physical 2"Ds; are con(erted and rebuilt into logical aspects. ns! #alse "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! easy 5./ne systems de(elopment option is to build a system from scratch. ns! True "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! easy 9./ne systems de(elopment option is to ha(e a system de(eloped by using an outsourcing strategy. ns! True "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! medium <./ne systems de(elopment option is to let users build their own system using tools lie 2Bcel and ccess* with support from the &icrosoft help des.
ns! #alse "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! medium =.C"D stands for Create* "edesign* pdate and Deploy Q and is a matriB of table functions in databases. ns! #alse "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design :actually 3rst de3ned in chapter =; Di%culty! hard .During the design phase* the project team carefully considers the nonfunctional business re$uirements :such as performance* cultural and political aspects;. ns! True "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! medium A.In the analysis phase* architecture decisions are made and written up in the Nhardware and software speci3cations,. ns! #alse "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design :it is the design phaseRR; Di%culty! medium
Essaay .t the end of the design phase* there is a document named the system specifcation that describes the diEerent design documents and their uses. -hat is the consolidated purpose of this deli(erable and why is it important? ns! The system speci3cations document contains the! physical process models* physical data model* architecture design* hardware and software speci3cation* interface design and program design. These elements represent the blueprint for the physical system layout inclusi(e of ser(er con3gurations* cable connecti(ity and any ancillary de(ices that will be a part of the o(erall system. dditionally* the documents contain software* hardware and technical speci3cations that will enable programmers and ser(ice personnel to operate the machinery as well as to prescribe the proper woraround* patches* 3Bes and software additions and upgrades to the physical system. This is an important consolidation of documents because it pro(ides the creator* end user and maintenance engineers with a written model of the system they are about to implement which will minimiFe errors as well as allow for timely and eEecti(e correcti(e measures. "esponse! See Transition from "e$uirements to Design Di%culty! medium
1HH. -hat types of in@uences are there on determining the type of installation to pursue with relation to resources and the ac$uisition of a new system? ns! -hen considering a new system* there are 3(e diEerent items to consider. #irst* one must consider the business need. Is it uni$ue? Is it able to be sol(ed with simple pacaged software? Is the need core to our system? This will in@uence the project strategy as a whole and determine the o(erall eBpense of the project. Second* in)house eBperience will determine whether or not there is enough sill located within the current set of employees to manufacture the desired outcome. Third* project sills! do we ha(e the ability to learn this with our programmers or will we need to outsource programmers to assist us? #ourth* project management* can we complete the tas with our current management team or will we need consultants to assist us in completing the tas? #ifth* how much time do we ha(e? -ill we be able to complete the project $uicly or are we on a tight time budget? -ill we need additional manpower to push the project through? "esponse! See 8usiness 4eed :and 3gure )9; Di%culty! medium 1H1.
-hat is an alternati(e matriB? -hat does it do?
ns! n alternati(e matriB is a chart that compares the pros and cons of a project,s attributes based on a grading scheme across the multitude of ac$uisition methods. The purpose of the chart is to help the IT ac$uisition team in determining the best alternati(e for their speci3c need. -ithout performing this analysis* it is di%cult to determine the ultimate implementation plan based on an objecti(e comparison system. "esponse! see lternati(e &atriB Di%culty! medium 1H'.
-hat are the three ac$uisition strategies? Describe them.
ns! Custom de(elopment* pacaged software and outsourcing are the th ree ac$uisition strategies. Custom de(elopment utiliFes the project team,s sills in creating a ground)up software solution. This is often the most time consuming and demanding on in) house resources. This is a great alternati(e if the nature of the p roject is conduci(e to the sills already present in)house and the need is core to the business itself. acaged software is by far the fastest of the implementation strategies. This option is when the ac$uisition team installs a pre)written pacaged software solution into
its current IT con3guration. /ften times worarounds are re$uired to intertwine the systemsO howe(er* this taes the bul of the programming out of the e$uation and doesn,t completely remo(e the programmers from their e(eryday tass for as long as a custom de(elopment strategy. /utsourcing utiliFes eBternal programmers and engineers. This is often eBpensi(e if the terms of the contract are not laid out clearly and accurately in the beginning. In an ideal situation* eBternal programmers can be brought in)house so they may educate the current team for future projects. If this is not an alternati(e and time is of the essence* eBporting the responsibilities to an eBternal (endor can eBpedite the process of programming. signi3cant downside to outsourcing is that your system is eBposed to the outside (endor,s staE* which can be a security concern if the system data andGor processes are mission)critical or of a sensiti(e nature. "esponse! see System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! medium
1H5. There are three re$uest systems utiliFed by system ac$uisition teams. -hat are they and what are their diEerences? ns! The three re$uest systems utiliFed by IT ac$uisition teams are commonly nown as "#* "#I* and "#6. "# is a re$uest for proposal that is submitted to a (endor when the in)house team needs the speci3cations* time)frame* system description and how the sys tem proposed will 3t their needs. "#I is a re$uest for information that is submitted by the ac$uisition team to a (endor for general informationO it is usually targeted to a wider (endor audience to gather basic information about possible solutions. Its use is often followed with a targeted "# to the most possible (endors. "#6 is a re$uest for $uote. This is the 3nal step after the list of e$uipment needed is determined and complete. ll that is re$uired is a (endor,s price to complete the job. "esponse! see Selecting an c$uisition Strategy Di%culty! medium
1H9. KeE is an analyst. The human resources department is (ery unhappy with their payroll pacage. They want the information systems department to write them a new pacage as they thin they ha(e uni$ue needs that can,t be meet with a pacaged solution. -hat should KeE do? ns! ayroll is a (ery common application and there are many good payroll programs on the maret. KeE really needs to understand what the problems with the current pacage are. Is it old :i.e. only runs on a mainframe system;? -hat functions does 0" want to do that the pacage does not support? In that payroll
information must be reported to state and federal o%cials for taB reasons* it probably don,t not mae sense to write a complete pacage but to 3nd one that meets 0" needs. fter a detailed in(estigation* it may be best to create either an "I or "6 to get additional information and bids from potential (endors. "esponse! see System c$uisition Strategies Di%culty! medium
1H<. 4ewTechSystems has contracted with a well)nown regional consulting company :"CC;. In the original contract* the agreement was for time)and) arrangements* but lately it seems lie there are eBcessi(e time amounts and eBcessi(e arrangements. Sometimes what seems minor to 4ewTechSystems with an estimated time of under ' hours taes "CC 'H hours. -hat discussions need to tae place? ns! It would seem lie "CC either has :a; slow* inept people handling this accountO :b; found errors that escaped 4ewTechSystems (iewO :c; is Nmiling, 4ewTechSystems for more money and being unethical. 4ewTechSystems needs to fully re(iew the arrangement with "CC and re(iew the wor that is billed. Is the wor needed and legitimate? high)le(el meeting with 4ewTechSystems and "egional Consulting Company is needed now. "esponse! See /utsourcing Di%culty! medium
1H=. 4ewTechSystems has contracted some subsystem de(elopment to Indian Technology >roup from 8angalore India. aul is managing the account for 4ewTechSystems. -hen he ass for a status report* he seems to get a (ague answer. -hen he calls to tal to the manager who was in charge when the contract was negotiated* that person is Nalways, out of the o%ce or una(ailable and ne(er returns phone calls. The subsystem is needed neBt month for incorporation into the updated system. -hat should aul do? ns! :will (ary; It seems lie maybe there is a communication problem. aul needs to 3nd another manager to tal to Q or to 3nd out an eBact time to call the original manager. It might be that all is going 3ne* but it might also be that there are problems. "esponse! See /utsourcing Di%culty! hard
