Chapter 2

What is the primary focus of strategic planning within an organisation

Identifying long-term goals strategies and resources to support the firm’s future growth

Which document reflects a firm’s vision, purpose and values to its stakeholders?

The mission statement

In a SWOT analysis, which two factors are considered internal to the organisation?

Strength and weakness

In a SWOT analysis, which two factors evaluate the external enviroment?

Opportunities and threats

What is the main goal of performing a SWOT analysis before gettong organisational goals?

Ro ensure that goals are realistic, profitable and achievable based on current resources and risks.

The term ______ refers tothe reasons or justification for a systems development proposal

Business case

What is a system request?

A formal appeal to the IT department that describes problems or desired changes in an information system

Which reason for a systems request focuses on protecting data accuracy and security through measures like encryption?

Stronger controls

Why might a company initiate a systems request for ‘reduced cost’

Because the current system is expensive to operate or maintain due to technical problems or design weakness.

What is the primary motivation behind a systems request for ‘better performance’?

The current system responds slowly or cannot support company growth

How do ‘top managers’ typically influence the initiation of large scale IT projects?

They initiate projects based on strategic business goals that require new mission-critical information systems

Which external factor involves the use of internet-based digital marketplaces or private electronic data interchange systems?

E-commerce (B2B transactions)

What is the role of a

Whic h feasibility dimension determines if a proposed system will be used effectively after it has been deployed?

Operational feasibility

What does ‘eco

The _____ includes the initial investment, as well as the ongoin expenses for maintenance, support and training.

total cost of ownership (TCO)

What constitutes a ‘tangible benfit’ in a business case?

A positive outcome that can be measured in specific dollar values such as increased revenue or decreased expenses

What is an ‘intangible benefit’?

A positive outcome that is difficult to measure in dollars but is important for the company, such as an improved corporate image

Which feasibility factor assesses whether the organisation has the necessary hardwae, software and network resources for a project?

Technical feasibility

What is the definition of ‘schedule feasibility’?

The assessment of whether a project can be implemented within a time frame that is acceptable to management

What is the difference between discretionary and nondiscretionary projects?

Discretionary projects are optional choices for management, while nondiscretionary projects are required by law or necessity

What does ‘project scope’ define in a systems investigation?

The specific boundaries or extent of the project.

The phenomenon where project boundaries expand gradually without specific authorisation is known as _________.

project creep

What is a ‘constraint’ in the context of a systems project?

A requirement or condition that the system must satisfy or an outcome it must achieve

What is the objective of the ‘preliminary investigation’ phase?

To clearly identify the nature and scope of the business opportunity or problem

Which analytical tool represents the possible causes of a problem as a graphical outline?

A fishbone (ishikawa) diagram

What is the purpose of a ‘scatter diagram’ (or XY chart)?

To graphically show the correlation between two variables

What are the five components of an information system?

Hardware, software, data, processes and people

In an information system, what is defined as a ‘process’?

A procedure or task performed by users, managers and IT staff to transforn data into meaningful information.

What is ‘enterprise computing’?

Information system that support company-wide data management requirements, such as airline reservations

How do ‘business support systems’ assist users at various organisational levels

By providing job-related information support for specific business functions

what is the main role of a systems analyst?

To act as a bridge between business needs and IT solutions by translating requirements into technical specifications

Which systems development method uses phases to plan, analyse, design, implement and support separately?

Structured analysis

What is the primary goal of the ‘Agile’ systems development method?

To use a series of iterations based on user feedback to develop systems rapidly and flexibly

In systems development, what is ‘prototyping’?

The creation of an early, working version of an information system or its components

what is the function of CASE tools?

They are powerful software programmes used to help analysts develop and maintain information systems

Which organisational level is responsible for developing long range strategic plans

Top managers

What kind of information doe middle managers typically require?

Detailed information that focuses on a shorter time frame than top management, such as weekly summaries

Who is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and the work of operational employees"?

supervisors and team leaders

What is a ‘business profile’

An overview of a company’s functions, processes. producst. services and future direction