Information Systems and Project Management Exam 1 Study Guide

Flashcards covering key concepts from lecture notes on Information Systems (IS Ch. 1, 2, 4) and Project Management (PM Ch. 1, 2) for Exam 1, in a question and answer style.

What is an Information System?

A combination of hardware and software components, along with data, processes, and people, that function collaboratively to complete a task, often to achieve a competitive advantage.

What does 'cost leadership' mean in the context of competitive advantage?

Providing the same value as competitors but at a lower price.

What does 'differentiation' mean in the context of competitive advantage?

Charging higher prices for providing products that the customer perceives as being better.

What does 'focus' mean in the context of competitive advantage?

Understanding and servicing a target market better than anyone else.

What is Leavitt's Diamond composed of?

People, technology infrastructure, processes, and human structure.

What are the four components of the Five Component Model of Information Systems?

Hardware, software, data, processes, and people.

What is the difference between Information Systems and Information Technology?

Information Technology refers to the hardware, software, algorithms, programming, and networks, while Information Systems apply these IT components in a business or social context to solve problems and create business value.

What is a value chain?

A series of activities an organization performs to transform inputs into outputs, increasing the value of the input.

What is a supply chain?

A key value chain whose primary processes include inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, and service.

What are the duties of a Chief Information Officer (CIO)?

Oversees IT strategy, aligns technology with business goals, manages IT staff and budgets.

What are the duties of a Software Developer?

Designs, codes, tests, and maintains software applications.

What are the duties of a Security Analyst?

Protects systems from cyber threats, monitors security, investigates breaches.

What are the duties of a System Analyst?

Evaluates business needs, designs system solutions, bridges users and IT.

What are the duties of a Web Developer?

Builds and maintains websites, ensures functionality, user experience, and performance.

What are the duties of a Data Science Analyst?

Collects and analyzes data, builds models, provides insights for decision-making.

What are the duties of a Business Analyst?

Identifies business needs, analyzes processes, recommends technology or process improvements.

What is Strategic Planning?

A process that helps leaders identify desired outcomes and formulate feasible plans to achieve their objectives by using available resources and capabilities.

What is a key benefit of strategic planning regarding resources?

Ensures the most effective use is made of the organization’s resources by focusing them on agreed-upon key priorities.

What is a mission statement?

Concise statement that defines the organization’s fundamental purpose for existing.

What is a vision statement?

A concise statement of what the organization intends to achieve in the future, including how the organization, its stakeholders, and the community will benefit.

What is Porter's Five Forces Model used for?

It identifies the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, the threat of new entrants and substitute products, and the existing industry competitors to determine the level of competition and long-term profitability of an industry.

What does SWOT stand for in a SWOT matrix?

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.

What is the purpose of a SWOT matrix?

To illustrate what the company is doing well, where it can improve, what opportunities are available, and what environmental factors threaten the future of the organization.

What is a strategy?

Describes how an organization will achieve its vision, mission, objectives, and key results.

What is the focus of a 'Cost Center/Service Provider' IS organization?

Inward-looking, focused on reducing costs and improving IS services.

What is the objective of a 'Business Partner/Business Peer' IS organization?

Business-focused, aiming to control costs and expand IS services, and execute projects like implementing corporate databases.

What is the goal of a 'Business Innovator/Game Changer' IS organization?

Outward-looking, making investments to deliver new products and services to achieve competitive advantage and create new ways for customers to interact with the organization.

What is the Diffusion of Innovation Theory?

Explains how new ideas or products spread through society over time, with groups like innovators, early adopters, majority, and laggards.

What is a project?

A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.

List some attributes of a project.

Unique, temporary, drives change, developed using progressive elaboration, requires resources, has a primary customer or sponsor, and involves uncertainty.

What are the three components of the Triple Constraint in project management?

Scope, time, and cost.

What is considered the 'fourth constraint' in project management?

Satisfying the sponsor.

What is project management?

The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.

Name two of the ten project management knowledge areas.

Resource, scope, communication, schedule, risk, cost, procurement, quality, stakeholder, integration.

Who are project stakeholders?

The people involved in or affected by project activities, including the project sponsor, project team, support staff, customers, users, suppliers, and even opponents of the project.

What is the purpose of a Project Charter?

Authorizes the project and defines its purpose and objectives.

What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

A tool that breaks a project into smaller, manageable tasks.

What is the difference between Program Management and Project Portfolio Management?

Program Management coordinates related projects to achieve broader benefits, while Portfolio Management selects and manages all projects/programs as investments to meet overall business strategy.

What is a program in project management?

A group of related projects, subsidiary programs, and program activities managed in a coordinated manner to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually.

What is the primary role of a project manager?

To lead projects by planning, executing, and closing work to meet goals on time and budget.

What are the three components of the PMI Talent Triangle?

Technical Project Management, Leadership, and Strategic & Business Management.

What is PMP?

Project Management Professional, a globally recognized certification for project managers.

What is PMI?

The Project Management Institute, the organization that sets project management standards and offers certifications like PMP.

Describe low-end project management tools.

Simple, typically single-user tools.

Describe midrange project management tools.

Multi-user tools often focused on cost and scheduling, like MS Project.

Describe high-end project management tools.

Enterprise-level tools designed to manage portfolios and organization-wide projects.

What is the systems approach?

A holistic view of systems as interrelated parts, applied to solve problems and coordinate projects.

What is systems philosophy?

A holistic view of systems as interrelated parts.

What is systems analysis?

Breaking problems into parts to find solutions.

What is systems management?

Applying systems philosophy and analysis to coordinate projects for goals.

What are the three spheres of the Three Sphere Model for Systems Management?

Business Sphere (focus on goals, needs, value), Organization Sphere (people, structures, processes), and Technology Sphere (hardware, software, data solutions).

What are the three organizational structures discussed?

Functional (groups by specialty), Project (teams organized around projects), and Matrix (mix of functional & project, dual reporting lines).

Why is top management commitment important for projects?

It provides authority, resources, and support, which increases project success and alignment with business goals.

What is the Project Lifecycle?

The phases of managing a project, typically initiation, planning, execution, and closing.

What is the Product Lifecycle?

The stages of a product in the market, including introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.

What is Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

A structured process for developing information systems.

Describe the Waterfall Model in SDLC.

A linear, step-by-step approach where one phase must be completed before the next begins.

Describe the Spiral Model in SDLC.

An iterative model that combines design and prototyping with risk analysis.

What is a key characteristic of Information Technology projects?

They are unique, complex, technology-driven, often high risk, and rapidly changing.

List some recent trends affecting IT project management.

Agile & hybrid methodologies, cloud computing & remote collaboration, AI, automation, & big data use, cybersecurity emphasis, and focus on sustainability & social responsibility.

What are the basic components of a computer?

CPU, Memory, and I/O devices.

What is the function of the CPU?

The 'brain' of the computer, which executes instructions, performs calculations, and controls data flow.

Describe main memory.

Temporary, fast storage for actively running programs and data.

What is secondary storage?

Permanent storage, such as HDDs, SSDs, or optical discs.

What are I/O devices?

Devices that allow communication with the computer, including input (keyboard, mouse), output (monitor, speakers), or both (touchscreen).

What is the difference between a portable and a non-portable computer?

Portable computers are designed for mobility (laptops, tablets), while non-portable computers are stationary (desktops, workstations).

What is a server?

A computer that provides services or data to other computers (clients) over a network.

What is a mainframe computer?

A large, reliable computer capable of handling massive transactions and data processing.

What is a supercomputer?

An extremely powerful computer designed to solve complex problems requiring immense computational power.

What is a server farm?

A collection of servers working together to provide high-capacity services.

What is a data center?

A facility used to house computer systems and associated components, with different tiers indicating levels of redundancy and reliability.

Describe a Tier IV data center.

A fault-tolerant data center with the highest reliability, offering redundant components and multiple paths for power/cooling.

What is the difference between system software and application software?

System software runs the computer (OS, utilities), while application software performs user-focused tasks (Word, Excel).

What is an operating system?

Software that manages computer hardware and software resources.

Name two core functions of an operating system.

Process management, memory management, storage management, device management, and user interface management.

What is server virtualization?

The practice of running multiple virtual servers on one physical machine.

What is a virtual machine (VM)?

A simulated computer environment that functions like a separate physical computer.

What are some uses of server virtualization and virtual machines?

Testing, increased efficiency, and cost savings by reducing the number of physical servers needed.

What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?

Software delivered online by a provider, rather than being installed and maintained on local machines.

Name one advantage of using SaaS.

Low cost, accessible anywhere with an internet connection, automatic updates, or scalability.

What is personal application software?

Software designed for individual tasks, such as Word or Excel.

What is group application software?

Software designed for team collaboration, such as Slack or Zoom.

What is Enterprise application software?

Software used across an entire organization, such as ERP or CRM systems.

What is a programming language?

A set of rules used to write software (e.g., Python, Java).

What is a compiler?

A program that translates source code written in a high-level programming language into machine language that a computer can execute.

What is an End-User License Agreement (EULA)?

A legal contract between the user and the software maker, outlining terms of use.

Name one type of EULA.

Single-user, multi-user, or site license.

What is Open Source software?

Software with its source code made available to the public, allowing users to modify and share it (e.g., Linux).

Why are software upgrades important?

They provide new versions with bug fixes, security enhancements, new features, improved performance, and better compatibility with other systems.