ITS3300 CH1 (N)

Q: What four skills do knowledge workers need to solve business problems?

A: Analytical thinking, communication, creativity, collaboration.

Q: What qualities do employers look for in employees?

A: Self-starters, project managers, clear communicators, team workers, idea developers, question askers, reliable contributors.

Q: What four technological factors drive MIS importance?

A: Processing power, interconnectivity, storage capacity, bandwidth.

Q: Define “information age.”

A: A period where production, distribution, and control of information are primary economic drivers.

Q: What does “digital revolution” mean?

A: Shift from mechanical/analog devices to digital devices.

Q: Why is Microsoft ($1.36T+) significant to MIS?

A: IT transformed from minor support role to primary driver of profitability; tech jobs are high-paying and prestigious.

Q: What is Bell’s Law?

A: Every 10 years, a new computer class emerges, creating new markets/opportunities.

Q: What is Moore’s Law?

A: Transistors per chip double ~every 2 years → faster/cheaper computers.

Q: What is Metcalfe’s Law?

A: Value of a network = square of number of users.

Q: What is Nielsen’s Law?

A: High-end network speeds increase 50% per year.

Q: What is Kryder’s Law?

A: Storage density increases 50% every 13 months → lower cost/GB.

Q: How did Bell’s Law affect Blockbuster?

A: New computing class (streaming) disrupted its business → bankruptcy by 2010.

Q: How can you attain job security in MIS?

A: Develop non-routine cognitive skills: abstract reasoning, systems thinking, collaboration, experimentation.

Q: Name five marketable business skills.

A: Project management, data analysis, financial acumen, marketing, leadership.

Q: Name five marketable MIS skills.

A: Database management, systems analysis/design, programming, ERP, BI tools.

Q: Name five soft skills valuable in MIS careers.

A: Communication, problem-solving, collaboration, leadership, adaptability.

Q: What is the technology skills gap?

A: Mismatch between workforce skills and employer needs for emerging tech.

Q: List causes of the technology skills gap.

A: Rapid tech advancement, demand > supply, poor workforce training, education mismatch, talent shortage.

Q: Why is abstract reasoning important?

A: Enables pattern recognition, problem-solving, innovation, adaptability.

Q: Why is systems thinking important?

A: Helps see interconnections, predict outcomes, address complex problems, promote sustainability.

Q: Why is collaboration important?

A: Harness diverse perspectives, boost efficiency, adapt to change, achieve shared goals.

Q: Why is experimentation important?

A: Encourages innovation, feedback-driven learning, risk management, continuous improvement.

Q: What is MIS?

A: (1) Management and use of IS, (2) Information systems, (3) Strategy.

Q: Distinguish MIS, IS, and IT.

A: MIS = managing IS for strategy; IS = hardware, software, data, people, procedures; IT = technology tools only.

Q: What are the five components of IS?

A: Hardware, software, data, procedures, people.

Q: What is the most important IS component?

A: People — they interpret data into information.

Q: What is the relationship between IS components?

A: Symmetric; automation shifts work from human side (procedures/people) to computer side (hardware/software).

Q: Name career areas tied to IS components.

A: Hardware (sales/support), software (programming/MIS), data (DB admin), procedures (process mgmt), people (training, consulting).

Q: What is data?

A: Raw, unprocessed facts (numbers, dates, text).

Q: What is information?

A: Processed/organized data providing meaning.

Q: What is knowledge?

A: Insights from information (through experience/learning).

Q: What characteristics make data valuable?

A: Accurate, timely, relevant, just sufficient, cost-effective.

Q: Name three types of data.

A: Structured (tables), unstructured (emails), semi-structured (XML).

Q: Name three data sources.

A: User input, sensors/devices, external databases.

Q: What are four data management tasks?

A: Storage, retrieval, integrity, security.

Q: Why is data processing necessary?

A: Converts raw data into meaningful information.

Q: What are four forms of information in organizations?

A: Reports, graphs/charts, alerts/notifications, documents.

Q: What are tacit vs explicit knowledge?

A: Tacit = personal, hard to formalize; Explicit = documented, easy to share.

Q: What are three elements of knowledge management?

A: Knowledge repositories, knowledge sharing, knowledge creation/innovation.

Q: What is a password?

A: A string of characters used to authenticate identity and grant system access.

Q: List best practices for passwords.

A: Long (14+), mixed characters, unique, changed often, MFA enabled, never shared.

Q: Why use a password manager?

A: To securely generate/store strong, unique passwords.

Q: What is Pluralsight?

A: An online technology training provider.

Q: How does Pluralsight relate to the skills gap?

A: Provides workforce training in emerging tech skills.

Q: Why might universities see Pluralsight as both opportunity and threat?

A: Opportunity = partnerships for training; Threat = competition with traditional education.