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What are some key functional areas where organisations use Information Systems (IS)?

To manage core business functions like procurement (e.g., recipe management), logistics (e.g., inventory control), human resources (e.g., payroll, recruitment), and customer relations (e.g., marketing, CRM).

What are some examples of IS Strategy Pressures on a CIO?

Latest IS developments, implementation, data analysis/protection, and outsourcing.

What are some examples of Business Strategy Pressures on a CIO?

Business objectives, personnel, security, and achieving value for money.

An IS strategy can be driven by two main focuses. What are they?

IS driven and Business driven.

What factors typically drive an IS-driven strategy?

Technology development, risk mitigation, cost reduction, and redundancy.

What factors typically drive a Business-driven strategy?

Competitive environment, legislation changes, cost reduction, and business goals.

What are the three generic 'pillars' of IS strategy focus?

Business Improvement, Business Enablement, and Infrastructure.

What is the goal of the 'Business Improvement' pillar of IS strategy?

To help the organization streamline its processes and eliminate unnecessary tasks.

What is the goal of the 'Business Enablement' pillar of IS strategy?

To extend or transform how the business operates, aiding growth and entry into new markets.

What is the goal of the 'Infrastructure' pillar of IS strategy?

The maintenance and improvement of the organization's hardware, software, and telecoms, as well as managing risk.

According to the McKinsey survey, what is the #1 current IT priority for companies overall?

Improving the effectiveness of business processes.

In the McKinsey survey, how do the top priorities of IT executives and Non-IT executives differ?

IT executives prioritize 'Reducing IT costs' as #1, while Non-IT executives prioritize 'Improving effectiveness of business processes' as #1.

What are the three stages of aligning business and IS strategy, from least to most integrated?

1. Alignment -> 2. Synchronisation -> 3. Convergence.

What defines the 'Alignment' stage of IS/business strategy?

IT reacts to the business agenda to work together effectively. Technology supports and enables the business.

What defines the 'Synchronisation' stage of IS/business strategy?

Technology not only enables current strategy but also anticipates and helps shape future business models.

What defines the 'Convergence' stage of IS/business strategy?

Business and technology activities intertwine and leadership teams are almost interchangeable. IT helps set the agenda.

What is the 'SoMoClo' concept?

A concept from 2010 recognizing the three dominant, concurrent IS technologies: Social, Mobile, and Cloud.

What are the three main cloud service delivery models?

SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).

What is IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)?

Provides fundamental computing resources like servers, networking, and storage. (e.g., a data centre).

What is PaaS (Platform as a Service)?

Provides the environment for developing and deploying applications, including things like databases and Java Runtime.

What is SaaS (Software as a Service)?

Provides ready-to-use software applications over the internet, like CRM/ERP systems or financials.

What are the 5 phases of the Gartner Hype Cycle, in order?

1. Technology Trigger, 2. Peak of Inflated Expectations, 3. Trough of Disillusionment, 4. Slope of Enlightenment, 5. Plateau of Productivity.

What happens during the 'Peak of Inflated Expectations' phase of the Hype Cycle?

A flurry of publicity and media hype generates unrealistic expectations. Some successes, but many more failures.

What is the IEEE definition of architecture for software-intensive systems?

The fundamental concepts or properties of a system, embodied in its elements, relationships, and the principles of its design and evolution.

What are the two key goals of Enterprise Architecture (EA)?

1. To create a holistic view of each part of the enterprise. 2. To ensure all systems work together to support the business.

What is Enterprise Architecture (EA) used for, according to the 'Key Principles' slide?

To drive and aid the planning process.

What is a 'Gap Analysis'?

The analysis of the "Gap" between the current state and a desirable state.

What are the 4 steps of a Gap Analysis?

1. Establish target objectives, 2. Analyse current business processes, 3. Compare target goals to the current state, 4. Draw up a comprehensive plan.

What is 'Elasticity' in cloud computing?

The ability of cloud systems to automatically add or remove resources in response to real-time changes in demand.

What is 'governance' in a business context?

It determines how decisions are made and by whom, and specifies accountability and policies for controlling change.

What does a RACI matrix define?

A model for defining roles and responsibilities: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.

In a RACI matrix, what does 'R' (Responsible) mean?

The person or people assigned to do the work.

In a RACI matrix, what does 'A' (Accountable) mean?

The single person with ultimate ownership who makes the final decision.

What is the difference between Authentication and Authorization?

Authentication verifies who you are (e.g., password). Authorization determines what you are allowed to do/access once authenticated.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

A security process that requires two or more elements for full authentication.

What are the three categories of authentication factors?

1. Something you know (password), 2. Something you possess (phone, key), 3. Something you are (fingerprint, face scan).

What is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)?

A system for providing fine-grained access management and segregating duties to ensure users only have the access they need to do their jobs.

What are Resource Locks in Azure?

A feature that protects Azure resources from accidental deletion or modification.

What are the two types of Resource Locks in Azure?

1. CanNotDelete (can still read/modify) and 2. ReadOnly (cannot modify or delete).

What is the difference between Capital Expense (CAPEX) and Operational Expense (OPEX)?

CAPEX is a large, upfront purchase of an asset that depreciates (like a building). OPEX is an ongoing, day-to-day running cost (like rent or a subscription).

What is 'risk'?

The possibility of loss or injury. It is a function of likelihood (probability) and impact (severity).

What are the four main responses to a risk?

Risk Avoidance, Risk Acceptance, Risk Transference, and Risk Mitigation.

What is Risk Transference?

Shifting the consequence and responsibility for a risk to a third party (e.g., subcontracting the work and specifying quality in the contract).

What is Risk Mitigation?

Reducing the impact or probability of a risk event (e.g., providing extra training to the team to reduce errors).