Chapter 13 Systems Analysis and Design

Multiple Choice 1. Which phase of the SDLC are information needs identified? a) preliminary investigation b) systems analysis c) systems design d) systems development Answer: A Difficulty level: Medium Page: 358 Response: The information problems or needs are identified in the preliminary phase of the SDLC. In this phase of the SDLC, new or alternative information systems are designed. a) preliminary investigation b) systems analysis c) systems design d) systems development Answer: C Difficulty level: Easy Page: 358 Response: New or alternative information systems are designed in the systems design stage of the SDLC. In this phase of the SDLC, the new information systems are installed and adapted to the new system, and people are trained to use them. a) preliminary implementation b) systems analysis c) systems design d) systems development Answer: A Difficulty level: Medium Page: 358 Response: In the systems implementation phase, the new information system is installed and adapted to the new system, and people are trained to use them. This phase of the SDLC is known as the ongoing phase where the system is periodically evaluated and updated as needed. CE_TB13-1

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a) preliminary investigation b) systems design c) systems implementation d) systems maintenance Answer: D Difficulty level: Easy Page: 358 Response: The systems maintenance phase is the ongoing phase of the SDLC. 5. A recent survey by Money magazine determined that out of 100 widely-held jobs that they researched, the top job classification was a a) network administrator b) cryptographer c) systems analyst d) computer engineer Answer: D Difficulty level: Hard Page: 358 Response: Money magazine determined that the top job classification was a computer engineer. Many organizations have determined that there is a __________ -year backlog of work for systems analysts. a) one b) two c) three d) four Answer: C Difficulty level: Hard Page: 359 Response: Organizations have determined that there is a three-year backlog of work for systems analysts. The first step in preliminary analysis is to a) purchase supplies b) hire consultants c) define the problem d) propose changes Answer: C Difficulty level: Medium Page: 360 Response: The first step in the preliminary analysis is to define the problem.

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In the preliminary investigation phase of the SDLC, which one of the following tasks would not be included? a) briefly defining the problem b) suggesting alternative solutions c) gathering the data d) preparing a short report Answer: C Difficulty level: Medium Page: 360 Response: Gathering the data would not be included in the preliminary investigation phase. In order to obtain financing for the analysis phase, the systems analyst must a) prepare a preliminary investigation report b) justify the expense of upgrading c) consider abandoning the project d) train users on the new system Answer: A Difficulty level: Medium Page: 361 Response: Management need a preliminary investigation report before deciding to finance the analysis phase. The first step of the systems analysis phase of the SDLC is to a) propose changes b) analyze data c) gather data d) write system analysis report Answer: C Difficulty level: Medium Page: 362 Response: The first step of the systems analysis phase involves gathering the data. Which of the following shows levels of management and formal lines of authority? a) organization chart b) decision table c) pyramid diagram d) grid chart Answer: A Difficulty level: Easy Page: 362

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Response: Organization chart describes the formal lines of authority. 12. A list of questions used in analysis is called a(n) a) organization chart b) interview guideline c) grid table d) checklist Answer: D Difficulty level: Easy Page: 363 Response: A checklist is a list of questions. What type of analysis starts with the big picture and then breaks it down into smaller pieces? a) financial b) reverse c) top-down d) executive Answer: C Difficulty level: Medium Page: 363 Response: Top-down analysis method is used to identify the top-level components of a complex system. Which of the following is used to show the rules that apply to a decision when one or more conditions apply? a) system flowchart b) decision table c) grid chart d) checklist Answer: B Difficulty level: Medium Page: 364 Response: A decision table shows the decision rules that apply when certain conditions occur. Which of the following tools shows the data or information flow within an information system? a) grid chart b) decision table c) system flowchart d) data flow diagram

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Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 365 Response: Data flow diagrams show the data or information flow within an information system. 16. These software packages evaluate hardware and software alternatives according to requirements given by the systems analyst. a) project management b) automated design tools c) spreadsheets d) report generators Answer: B Difficulty level: Medium Page: 365 Response: Automated design tools are software packages that evaluate hardware and software alternatives according to requirements given by the systems analyst. Which of the following is not found on a data flow diagram? a) entities b) process c) offline storage d) file Answer: C Difficulty level: Hard Page: 365 Response: Data flow diagrams show entities, processes, and file. The final step of the systems analysis phase in the SDLC is to a) gather data b) write system analysis report c) propose changes d) analyze data Answer: B Difficulty level: Medium Page: 366 Response: The final step of the systems analysis phase is to write the report. Which of the following would not be described in the systems analysis report? a) the current information system b) the requirements for a new system c) the development schedule

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d) the training requirements for users Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 366 Response: User requirements are not described in the systems analysis report. 20. Which of the following tasks is not part of the systems design phase? a) designing alternative systems b) selecting the best system c) writing a systems design report d) suggesting alternative solutions Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 366 Response: Suggesting alternative solutions is part of the preliminary investigation phase. The first task to complete in the design phase of the SDLC is to a) design alternative systems b) select the best design c) examine hardware requirements d) write a systems design report Answer: A Difficulty level: Hard Page: 366 Response: The first task is to design alternative systems. After designing alternative systems, the system analyst must a) prepare a system design report b) diagram the system c) prepare a data flow diagram d) select the best alternative Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 366 Response: After designing alternative systems, the system analyst must select the best system. The final task in the design phase of the SDLC is to a) select the best design b) design alternative systems c) prepare a system design report

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d) examine hardware requirements Answer: C Difficulty level: Medium Page: 366 Response: The final task in the systems design phase is to write a systems design report. 24. A feasibility study is used to determine the proposed systems. a) resource requirements b) costs and benefits c) availability of hardware and software d) all of the above Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 367 Response: Feasibility study determines all of these things. Determining if employees, managers, and clients will resist a proposed new system is part of this feasibility study. a) technical feasibility b) economic feasibility c) organizational feasibility d) operational feasibility Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 367 Response: Operational feasibility is used to determine if the proposed new system will be accepted or rejected by employees, managers, or clients. Determining whether expected cost savings and other benefits will exceed the cost of developing an alternative system is related to a) technical feasibility b) economic feasibility c) organizational feasibility d) operational feasibility Answer: B Difficulty level: Medium Page: 367 Response: Economic feasibility is used to determine if the expected benefits will exceed the costs. The first step of systems development is to purchase or custom design

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a) software b) a network c) hardware d) training materials Answer: A Difficulty level: Medium Page: 368 Response: The first step is to either purchase the software or have it custom designed. 28. The final step of development is to a) acquire software b) acquire hardware c) prepare a systems development report d) test the system Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 368 Response: After the hardware and software have been installed, the final step involves testing the system. During which phase of the SDLC are users trained to use the new system? a) preliminary investigation b) systems implementation c) systems development d) systems maintenance Answer: B Difficulty level: Medium Page: 369 Response: Users are trained on the new system during the implementation phase of the SDLC. The first step in implementing a new system is to determine the a) hardware requirements b) software requirements c) conversion type d) best alternative Answer: C Difficulty level: Medium Page: 369 Response: The first step is to determine the type of conversion to be used.

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The __________ approach conversion type simply involves abandoning the old system and using the new. a) direct b) pilot c) phased d) parallel Answer: A Difficulty level: Medium Page: 369 Response: In the direct approach, the conversion is done simply by abandoning the old and starting up the new. The old and new systems run side by side for a period of time when using the __________ approach to implementation. a) direct b) parallel c) phased d) pilot Answer: B Difficulty level: Easy Page: 370 Response: In the parallel approach, old and new systems are operated side by side until the new one has proved to be reliable. Although this conversion approach (__________) is considered low risk, keeping enough equipment and people active to manage two systems at the same time can be very expensive. a) direct b) parallel c) phased d) pilot Answer: B Difficulty level: Easy Page: 370 Response: Parallel is low-risk but expensive to run two systems at the same time. Using the __________ approach, a new system is tested in one part of the organization before being implemented in others. a) direct b) phased c) pilot d) parallel Answer: C

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Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: In the pilot approach, the new system is tried out in only one part of the organization. 35. The __________ implementation approach is broken down into smaller parts that are implemented over time. a) pilot b) direct c) parallel d) phased Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: In the phased approach, the new system is implemented gradually over a period of time. The implementation approach that is the least risky would be the a) direct approach b) parallel approach c) phased approach d) pilot approach Answer: C Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: The phased approach is the least risky approach. This implementation approach (__________) is preferred when there are many people in an organization performing similar operations. a) direct b) parallel c) phased d) pilot Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: The pilot approach is preferred when there are many people in an organization performing similar operations. The final step of the implementation phase of the SDLC is to a) train the users b) develop documentation

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c) select the conversion type d) write the implementation report Answer: A Difficulty level: Medium Page: 371 Response: Training the users is the last step in the implementation phase of the SDLC. 39. Which of the following phases of the SDLC is considered as the ongoing process? a) systems development b) systems analysis c) systems design d) systems maintenance Answer: D Difficulty level: Medium Page: 371 Response: Systems maintenance is a very important, ongoing activity. The ongoing testing and analysis of an existing system is called system__________. a) maintenance b) implementation c) design d) analysis Answer: A Difficulty level: Easy Page: 371 Response: Ongoing testing and analysis of an existing system is called system maintenance. During a systems audit, the system performance is compared to a) similar systems b) newer systems c) the design specifications d) competing systems Answer: C Difficulty level: Medium Page: 372 Response: In the systems audit, the systems performance is compared to the original design specifications.

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A modifiable model built before the actual system is installed is called a(n) a) sample b) example c) template d) prototype Answer: D Difficulty level: Hard Page: 373 Response: Prototyping means building a model or prototype that can be modified before the actual system is installed. The process of building a model that demonstrates the features of a proposed product, service or system is called a a) JAD b) RAD c) template d) prototype Answer: D Difficulty level: Hard Page: 373 Response: Prototyping means building a model or prototype that can be modified before the actual system is installed. A modifiable model of a proposed product, system, or system is called a(n) a) prototype b) benchmark c) factor d) template Answer: A Difficulty level: Medium Page: 373 Response: Prototyping is a modifiable model. RAD stands for a) Redundant Array of Disks b) Rapid Application Development c) Remove and Destroy d) Replication Applet Diagram Answer: B Difficulty level: Medium Page: 373 Response: RAD is an acronym for rapid applications development.

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True/False 46. A systems analyst uses the six-phase systems lifecycle to improve and maintain information systems. Answer: True Difficulty level: Easy Page: 358 Response: Systems analysts use the six-phase SDLC model. During the preliminary investigation phase of the SDLC, you first suggest alternatives and then define the problem. Answer: False Difficulty level: Easy Page: 359 Response: During the preliminary investigation phase of the SDLC your problems or needs are identified. The final step in the preliminary investigation is to create an organization chart. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 360 Response: The final step is to prepare a short report to summarize the results of the preliminary investigation and to suggest alternative systems. Gathering data and information in the first step of systems analysis can be achieved through conducting interviews and doing observation. Answer: True Difficulty level: Easy Page: 362 Response: Data is obtained from observations and interviews. An organization chart details the physical location and purpose of the servers on a network. Answer: False Difficulty level: Easy Page: 362 Response: An organization chart shows levels of management and formal lines of authority.

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Analyzing data can help pinpoint why a system doesnt work as expected. Answer: True Difficulty level: Easy Page: 363 Response: The idea behind analyzing data is to learn how information currently flows in an organization and to pinpoint why it isnt flowing appropriately. A checklist is a tool used to organize and remember the questions to ask regarding current systems. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 363 Response: A checklist is a list of questions. Using the top-down analysis method means to start with the smallest part of the system and craft larger pieces. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 363 Response: Top-down analysis is used to identify the top-level components of a complex system. Each component is broken down into smaller and smaller components. A grid chart shows the relationship between input and output documents. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 364 Response: A grid chart shows the relationship between input and output documents. A decision table shows the various rules that apply to a decision when certain conditions exist. Answer: True Difficulty level: Easy Page: 364 Response: A decision table shows the decision rules that apply when certain conditions occur. A system flowchart shows the procedural path that data takes from department to department. Answer: False

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Difficulty level: Medium Page: 364 Response: A system flowchart shows the flow of input data to processing and finally to output, or distribution of information. 57. A data flow diagram shows the path from input to processing to output. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 365 Response: A data flow diagram shows the data or information flow within an information system. CASE stands for Computer Aided Software Engineering. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 365 Response: CASE is an acronym for Computer Aided Software Engineering tools. Information problems or needs are discussed during the systems design phase of the SDLC. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 366 Response: Problems or needs are discussed during the preliminary investigation phase of the SDLC. Suggesting an alternative simply means to define some procedures that could be used instead of those that are currently in place. Answer: True Difficulty level: Easy Page: 366 Response: An alternative means to define some procedure that could be used instead of the one current in place. The first step of the systems design phase of the SDLC is to select the best alternative. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 366 Response: The first step is to design alternative systems.

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In the design phase of the SDLC, alternative systems are analyzed for economic, physical, and operational feasibility. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 367 Response: Alternative systems are analyzed for economic, technical, and operational feasibility. Technical feasibility refers to the availability of reliable hardware, software, and training to make the system work. Answer: True Difficulty level: Easy Page: 367 Response: Technical feasibility relates to the idea of having reliable hardware, software, and training available to make the system work. In the systems design phase of the SDLC, the systems design report usually concludes by proposing one of the analyzed alternatives. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 367 Response: The report usually concludes by recommending one of the alternatives. Application software for new information systems always requires having it custom-designed to meet the needs of the organization. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 368 Response: Application software can be purchased off-the-shelf and modified, or it can be custom-designed. New or alternative systems are designed during the systems development phase of the SDLC. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 368 Response: New or alternative systems are designed during the systems design stage.

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Hardware and software are normally acquired during the implementation phase of the SDLC. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 368 Response: Hardware and software are acquired during the development phase of the SDLC. The final step of the development phase in the SDLC is to test the system. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 369 Response: After the software and hardware have been installed, the final step is to test the system. Another name for the systems implementation phase of the SDLC is called execution. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 369 Response: Another name is conversion. Conversion as it relates to implementation is the process of converting from the old system to the new and training people to use the new system. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 369 Response: Conversion is the process of going from the old system to the new system. The direct approach to conversion is to simply replace the old system with the new one. Answer: True Difficulty level: Easy Page: 369 Response: Direct approach involves abandoning the old and starting up the new. The direct approach to conversion is the least risky of the four conversion methods. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium

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Page: 369 Response: The direct approach is the most risky of the four conversion methods. 73. The parallel approach to conversion involves running the new system and the old system side-by-side for a while. Answer: True Difficulty level: Easy Page: 370 Response: In the parallel approach, old and new systems are operated side-by-side until the new one has proved to be reliable. The parallel approach to conversion is used only in cases in which the cost of failure or of interrupted operation is great. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: The parallel approach is used only in cases in which the cost of failure or of interrupted operation is great. In the pilot approach, the new system is immediately implemented throughout the organization. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: In the pilot approach, the new system is tried out in only one part of the organization. The phased approach to conversion is considered one of the least risky approaches. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: The phased approach is considered one of the least risky approaches. The pilot approach to conversion is preferred when there are many people in an organization performing different operations. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: The pilot approach is preferred when there are many people in an organization performing similar operations.

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The phased approach to conversion is more appropriate for organizations in which people are performing different operations. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: The phased approach is more appropriate for organizations in which people are performing different operations. If only the accounting department were on the new system, you are using the phased approach to conversion. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 370 Response: You would be using a pilot approach to conversion. The maintenance phase is an ongoing process. Answer: True Difficulty level: Easy Page: 371 Response: The maintenance phase is an ongoing process for any system. During a systems audit, the systems performance is compared to the original specifications. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 372 Response: In the systems audit, the systems performance is compared to the original design specifications. RAD and prototyping are two alternative approaches to the traditional systems development life cycle mode. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium Page: 372 Response: RAD and prototyping are two alternatives to the SDLC model. A changeable model is called a prototype. Answer: True Difficulty level: Medium

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Page: 373 Response: A changeable model is called a prototype. 84. When developing a new system, RAD is usually considered as an inexpensive alternative to the traditional SDLC steps. Answer: False Difficulty level: Hard Page: 373 Response: RAD is expensive as it requires the use of powerful development software, small specialized teams, and highly trained personnel. The final step of systems analysis is to prepare a preliminary investigation report. Answer: False Difficulty level: Medium Page: 366 Response: The final step is to prepare a systems analysis report.

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