Question 1: (10 points)
Part a:
1. Systems analyst 2. Data structure
3. Bipolar closed questions 4. Logical data structures
5. Context diagram 6. Data store
7. Agile approach 8. Funnel structure
9. Level-0 diagram 10. Systems analysis and design
11. Object-oriented systems analysis & design 12. Prototyping
13. Data flow diagram 14. Physical data structures
15. Probes 16. Sampling
17. Open-ended questions 18. Closed-ended questions
19. Agile modeling 20. Ajax
21. Data element 22. Questionnaire
23. External entity 24. Child diagram
25. Joint application design 26. Systems consultant
27. Human-computer interaction 28. Data dictionary
29. Systems development life cycle 30. Application service provider
Match any of the key terms above with the definition that best fits it (Ignore any
key terms that do not fit.) (5 points)
· A _____data structure______________ is composed of related elements.
· __Data Flow Diagram__________________ is a picture of the movement of data between external entities and the processes and the data stores within a system.
The Systems Analysts is the organizational role most responsible for the analysis and design of information systems.
· _____________Closed Ended Questions____ are questions in interviews that ask those responding to choose from among a set of specified responses.
· _________Level-O Diagram_______________ is a data flow diagram that represents a system’s major processes, data flows, and data stores at a high level of detail.
· ________Context Diagram__________ is a data flow diagram of the scope of an organizational system that shows the system boundaries, external entities that interact with a system, and the major information flows between entities and the system.
· ________________ include additional elements necessary for implementing the system
· Open Ended Questions are usually used to probe for information when you cannot anticipate all possible responses or when you do not know the precise questions to ask.
· ______Joint Application Design_is a structured process in which users, managers, and analysts work together for several days in a series of intensive meetings to specify or review system requirements.
· Data Dictionary_ is a reference work of data about data compiled by systems analysts.
Part b:
As a systems analyst of ABC Furniture Inc., you have set up an interview with
manager of the shipping department, Mr. James Smith. Your objective is to determine how shipping works and what the information requirements for the new system will be. Make a list of ten questions, five open-ended and five closed-ended, that you
would use. (5 points)
Open Ended-
What are the critical objectives of the shipping department?
Describe the shipping process currently in place.
What’s your opinion of the current state of shipping process?
What are some of the biggest frustrations you’ve with the current shipping process?
Do you currently have ideas on how to improve efficiency in shipping department
Closed Ended-
Do you like the current shipping process?
Do you want to change the current shipping process?
Have employees complained about shipping process?
Do you agree to transition to a better shipping process?
Do you think the transition will increase business?
Question 2: (15 points)
An analyst needs an organized method for collecting facts. Some systems analysts will frequently jump right into interviews. They believe, “Go to the people. That’s where the real facts are!” Wrong! This approach fails to recognize an important fact of life: People must complete their day-to-day jobs. You may be thinking, “But I thought you’ve been seen saying that the system is for people and that direct end user involvement in systems development is essential. Aren’t you contradicting yourselves?”
Write a paragraph to offer your opinion on the issue described in the above statement.
*** For this question, please limit you response to a maximum of one page.
An analyst should refrain from interviewing without preparing an accurate fact-finding strategy. While the people have first-hand experience, you don’t want to waste anyone’s time collecting information that wouldn’t be relevant to the overall development of the system. This technique, waste company’s valuable time. Consider all 7 fact-finding techniques before jumping to the interviewing technique.In my opinion, observing the work environment of the suggested users, would give you direction and help prepare appropriate questions for interviews if needed.
Question 3: (15 points)
Given that you can use all seven information-gathering techniques: (1) review existing reports, forms, procedure descriptions, and databases, (2) investigation, (3) observe the work environment and document business processes, (4) distribute and collect questionnaires, (5) conduct interviews and discussion with users, (6) build prototypes, and (7) conduct joint application design (JAD) sessions.
Using all of these seven techniques, propose a general step-by-step strategy (which technique goes first and which technique goes next) to discover information system requirements and provide an explanation of your strategy decision.
Information System Requirements: (P.2)
Fact finding methods
· Review existing reports, forms and procedure descriptions
· Observe and document business processes
· Conduct interviews
· Build prototypes
· Questionnaires
· Conduct jad sessions
· Validate the requirements
· Structured walkthroughs
·
This strategy incorporates previous user information to help develop a plan to improve or implement new process. Observing current processes helps develop an idea of how current processes work. Once you’re aware of processes, you can reach out to the end-users to get their input into system development. Once you’ve incorporate previous practices, user input, you can begin to develop systems prototypes. Prototypes are tested for feedback and then can be placed in application sessions.
Question 4: (15 points)
The ABC Affordable Shoes Inc. sells shoes to customers through an Internet shopping site. When customers connect to the company’s Web site to search and select shoes, the system checks to see if the items are available in stock and generates appropriate status message to customers. When customers are ready to place orders, they have options to choose a type of credit card to be charged. The system validates customers’ credit card information through a credit card company and generated appropriate status message to customers. Then the system then generates a shipping order to the company warehouse. The company warehouse fills the order and when the order is shipped, the
