Systems Analysis CSC 331

CLU CSC 331 Systems Analysis SP'26 - First Midterm

What is the purpose of information systems (IS) departments?

To support the business through problem-solving, designing systems, and ensuring reliability.

What are the phases of the System Development Life-Cycle (SDLC)?

1. Planning 2. Analysis 3. Design 4. Implementation.

What does a stakeholder in a system refer to?

Any person who has an interest in an existing or proposed information system.

What is the main role of a system analyst?

To study problems and needs of an organization to determine how to improve them through information technology.

What is a transaction processing system (TPS)?

An information system that captures and processes data about business transactions.

Define a management information system (MIS).

An information system that provides management-oriented reporting based on transaction processing.

What is a decision support system (DSS)?

An information system that helps to identify decision-making opportunities or provides information to aid in decisions.

What does an expert system in AI do?

It captures the expertise of subject matter experts and simulates that expertise for non-experts.

What is meant by 'scope creep' in project management?

The common phenomenon wherein the requirements and expectations of a project increase without regard to impacts on budget and schedule.

What is the primary purpose of a system request?

To identify the reasons for a project and define the system's expected value.

What does 'feasibility analysis' assess?

Whether a project is really worth doing in terms of profitability, feasibility, and acceptance by the organization.

What are the three types of feasibility in project analysis?

Technical feasibility, economical feasibility, and organizational feasibility.

What is the V-Model Development Methodology?

A model that emphasizes system quality through test plan development.

Describe the Waterfall Model.

A structured systems development model where each project phase is completed before moving to the next.

What constitutes a successful agile methodology?

Fast delivery of results with significant user involvement and adaptability to changing requirements.

What is project estimation?

The process of assigning projected values for time and effort required to complete a project.

Define the term 'project portfolio management (PPM)'.

Software that collects and manages information about all projects to facilitate real-time monitoring and adaptation.

What is a key feature of Rapid Application Development (RAD)?

Involves developing parts of a system quickly and getting them into users' hands.

What does the analysis phase entail in system development?

Determining analysis strategy, collecting and analyzing requirements, and preparing a system proposal.

What is the purpose of requirements analysis?

To identify the capabilities that a new system should provide for its users.

What role does a project manager play in project management?

Responsible for planning, monitoring, and controlling projects to meet defined criteria.

What is a use case in system analysis?

A description of how users interact with the system, including triggers and expected outcomes.

What are the types of intertask dependencies?

Finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, and start-to-finish.

What is the 'critical path' in project management?

The sequence of dependent tasks that determines the earliest possible completion date of a project.

Define the 'PIECES' framework.

A framework aimed to improve Performance, Information, Economics, Control, Efficiency, and Service.

What is Change Management in project contexts?

A formal strategy to manage changes that occur during a project.

What does 'document analysis' entail in requirements gathering?

Collecting facts from existing documentation to understand current and historical practices.

Explain 'joint application development' (JAD).

A structured group process aimed at producing complete requirements documentation with users and stakeholders.

What is the difference between external and internal system users?

External users are customers and suppliers; internal users are employees within the company.

What are the components of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

Activities that include planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance.

Define 'reverse scheduling' in project management.

A scheduling method that establishes a project deadline and plans tasks backward from that finish date.

What is an expert system's purpose?

To capture and simulate the expertise of subject matter experts for decision-making.

What does the term 'design by specification' refer to?

Creating detailed blueprints for system construction before building.

What are the expected benefits of implementing a knowledge asset management system?

To manage and share knowledge for competitive advantage.

What is scope definition's significance in project management?

It ensures that a project is developed on time and within budget.

What does 'risk management' involve in project management?

Identifying, evaluating, and controlling potential threats to the successful completion of a project.

What is the principal focus of systems analysis?

To determine how information technology can best support an organization’s needs.

Give examples of technical risks in projects.

User unfamiliarity with the business application area and lack of familiarity with technology.

What is an organizational feasibility study?

It assesses whether an organization will accept and implement a proposed project.

What should project estimates require?

Refinement throughout the project lifecycle for accuracy.

What is the goal of requirements elicitation?

To gather the needs and preferences of users and stakeholders effectively.

What is a programming and testing phase in SDLC?

The stage where a system is actually built and verified to meet design specifications.

What distinguishes an agile project methodology?

Emphasis on iterative development and responsiveness to change.

What is an external service provider in the realm of information systems?

A professional that offers expertise in system analysis, design, or building to organizations on a part-time basis.

Define 'business analyst' in the context of systems development.

A professional focusing on non-technical business aspects of a project.

What does user requirements focus on in systems development?

Tasks that the user needs to accomplish using the information system.

Explain the role of 'system builders'.

Technical specialists who construct systems and components based on design specifications.

What is physical design in systems development?

The translation of user requirements into the technical specifications necessary for implementation.

What does 'continuous improvement' refer to in information systems?

Ongoing efforts to enhance products, services, or processes for better quality.

What are economic feasibility studies concerned with?

Determining whether a project is financially viable and cost-effective.

Describe the process of systems development.

A series of structured activities, methods, and best practices aimed at creating information systems.

What does 'normal course' refer to in use cases?

The major steps taken in response to trigger events in a use case.

What is a stub in programming?

A placeholder code that is later replaced with a functional version.

Describe the significance of stakeholder involvement in projects.

Ensuring buy-in and acceptance from all involved parties increases project success.

What is an analysis paralysis?

A situation where excessive modeling and analysis slows down project progress.

What constitutes a good project manager?

Someone who balances management of time, budget, deliverables, and stakeholder interests.

Define the term 'project sponsor'.

The person who initiates and oversees a project, serving as the main point of contact.

What is the goal of the retirement phase in SDLC?

Managing the transition of existing systems including data handling and hardware considerations.

What does 'technical feasibility' assess in project analysis?

Whether the project can be technically realized with existing resources.

Explain the term 'requirements analysis'.

The phase where user needs, data, and performance levels are identified and documented.

What functionality should functional requirements define?

The functions and capabilities needed from the system to support user tasks.

What is a project portfolio?

A collection of projects that an organization is currently undertaking or considering.

What does organizational feasibility analyze?

The likelihood that the organization will adopt and support the project outcomes.

Explain the concept of 'decisions analysis phase'.

Evaluating candidate solutions based on technical, operational, and economic feasibility.

What does a requirements elicitation strategy involve?

Techniques to gather insights on user needs and expectations.

What are the characteristics of a good system analyst?

Knowledge of IT, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, and adaptability.

Define continuous improvement in the context of total quality management.

Ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes through incremental enhancements.

What is a use case's purpose during the analysis phase?

To clarify and document user requirements and interactions with the system.

What are the different types of methodologies used in systems development?

Waterfall, Agile, RAD, Iterative, etc.

How does a project manager balance various aspects of a project?

By ensuring project timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations are met effectively.

What role does feedback play in iterative development methodologies?

Feedback allows for adjustments and refinements based on user experiences.

What is the goal of using a methodology matrix?

To determine appropriate project methodologies based on project specifics and needs.

Explain how a project's economic value is assessed.

Through analysis of potential returns, break-even points, and net present value.