Term
| Define information systems analysis and design. |
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Definition
| System analysis and design is the complex organizational process whereby computer-based information systems are developed and operated. |
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Term
| Discuss the modern approach to system analysis and design that combines both process and data views of systems. |
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Definition
Process orientation:
- Focuses on what the system is suppose to do.
- Provides a less stable design because business processes change faster than do the data an organization uses.
- Data files are designed for specific applications.
- Leads to much uncontrolled data redundancy.
Data orientation:
- Focuses on the data the system needs to operate.
- Data files are designed for the whole enterprise
- Application independence
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Term
| Describe the role of the systems analyst in information systems development. |
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Definition
| Systems analysts act as the liaisons between business users on one hand and technical personnel on the other. The must posses analytical, technical, managerial, and interpersonal skills to succeed. |
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Term
| Describe three types of information systems: TPS(Transaction Processing Systems), MIS (Management Information Systems), and DSS (Decision Support System). |
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Definition
| TPS automate the handling of data about business activities such as customer purchase transactions; MIS convert data from a TPS into meaninful information such as a sales summary report; and DSS access data and model to support organizational decision making such as comparing alternative investment options. |
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Term
| Describe the information systems development life cycle (SDLC). |
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Definition
SDLC includes four major phases:
- Systems planning and selection: analysts make detailed road maps of the system development project.
- Systems analysis: analysts work to solve the business problem being studied.
- Systems design: the solution to the problem is built.
- Systems implementation and operation: the system is given to users and kept running.
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Term
| List alternatives to the SDLC, including a description of the role fo computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools in systems development. |
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Definition
The alternative frameworks are:
- Prototyping: analysts build a working model of the system.
- Joint Application Design (JAD): analysts and users meet to solve problems and design system.
- Participatory Design: the emphasis is on the user community.
- Agile Mythologies: focus on adaptive rather than predictive mythologies, on people rather than roles, and on continuous adaption, depending on the situation.
- CASE: represents the use of IT to assist in the systems development process. They include diagramming tools, screen and report design tools and other specialty tools. CASE tools help programmers and analysts do their jobs efficiently and effectively by automating routine tasks.
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Term
| Agile Methodologies (p.24) |
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Definition
| Agile Methodologies focus on adaptive rather than predictive methodologies, focus on people rather than roles, and a self-adaptive process. |
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Term
| Application Software (p.4) |
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Definition
| Also called a system, is designed to support a specific organizational function or process, such as inventory management, payroll, or market analysis. |
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Term
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Definition
| A system has a boundary, within which all of its components are contained and which establishes the limits of a system, separating it from other systems. Components within the boundary can be changed, whereas systems outside the boundary cannot be changed. |
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Term
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Definition
| The extent to which a system performs a single function. |
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Term
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Definition
| Either an irreducible part or an aggregate of parts, also called a subsystem. |
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Term
| Computer-aided Software Engineering (CASE) (p.21) |
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Definition
| Refers to automated software tools used by systems analysts to develop information systems. |
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Term
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Definition
| The limit (in terms of capacity, speed, or capabilities) to what a system can do and how it can achieve its purpose within its environment. |
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Term
| Interrelated Components (p.7) |
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Definition
| The function of one component is somehow tied to the function of others. |
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Term
| Joint Application Design (JAD) (p.22) |
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Definition
| To structure the requirements determination phase of analysis and the review that occurs as part of the design. Users, managers, and system developers are brought together to agree on system requirements and design details. |
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Term
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Definition
| The system's reason for existing. |
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Term
| Rapid Application Development (RAD) (p.22) |
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Definition
| To delay producing detailed system design documents until after the user requirements are clear. The prototype serves as the working description of the needs. RAD involves gaining user acceptance of the interface and developing key system capabilities as quickly as possible. |
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Term
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Definition
| An integrated and standard database for providing product and tool integration and has been a key factor in enabling CASE to manage large, more complex projects more easily and to seamlessly integrate data across various tools and products. |
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Term
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Definition
| An interrelated set of business procedures (or components) used within one business unit, working together for some purpose. |
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Term
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Definition
| SDLC phase where the analyst thoroughly studies the organization's current procedures and the information systems used to perform tasks such as general ledge, shipping, order entry, machine scheduling, and payroll. |
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Term
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Definition
| The primary role of a systems analyst is to study the problems and needs of an organization in order to determine how people, methods, and information technology can best be combined to bring about improvements in the organization. A systems analyst helps system users and other business managers define their requirements for new or enhanced information services. |
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Term
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Definition
| Phase 3 of the SDLC where analysts convert the description of the recommended alternative solution into logical and then physical system specifications. |
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Term
| Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) (p.15) |
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Definition
| Common methodology for systems development in many organizations. It marks the phases or steps of information systems development. The steps include (1) planning and selection, (2) analysis, (3) design, and (4) implementation and operation. |
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Term
| Systems Development Methodology (p.15) |
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Definition
| Standard set of steps used by organizations to develop and support their information systems. |
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Term
| Systems Implementation and Operation (p.18) |
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Definition
| Final phase of SLDC. During systems implementation and operation, you turn system specifications into a working system that is tested and then put in use. Implementation includes coding, testing, and installation. During operation, programmers make the changes that users ask for and modify the system to reflect changing business conditions. There changes are necessary to keep the system running and useful. |
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Term
| Systems Planning and Selection (p.17) |
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Definition
| Systems planning and selection has two activities. First someone identifies the need for a new or enhanced system. The second part is to investigate the system and determine the proposed system's scope. |
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Term
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Definition
| A planned undertaking of a series of related activities to reach an objective that has a beginning and an end. |
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Term
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Definition
| A short (typically one page), high-level document prepared for the customer that describes what the project will deliver and outlines many of the key elements of the project. Often includes: project title and date of authorization, project manager name and contact information, customer name and contact information, project start and completion dates, key stakeholders, project roles, and responsibilities, project objectives and description, key assumptions or approach, and signature section for key stakeholders. |
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Term
| Project Initiation (p.53) |
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Definition
| Project manager performs several activities that assess the size, scope, and complexity of the project, and establishes procedures to support subsequent activities. Activities include: establishing the project initiation team, establishing a relationship with the customer, establishing the project initiation plan, establishing management procedures, establishing the project management environment and project workbook, and developing the project charter. |
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Term
| Project Management (p.52) |
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Definition
| Project management process involves four phases: initiating, planning, executing, and closing down the project. |
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Term
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Definition
| A systems analyst with a diverse set of skills- management, leadership, technical, conflict management, and customer relationship - who is responsible for initiating, planning, executing, and closing down the project. |
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Term
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Definition
| A repository of all project correspondence, inputs, outputs, deliverables, procedures, and standards established by the project team. |
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Term
| Application Service Provider (p.36) |
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Definition
| Third-party providers that host applications where users pay on a per-use basis or they license the software, typically month to month. The provider buys, installs, maintains, and upgrades the applications. |
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Term
| Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System (p.35) |
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Definition
| ERP software solutions consist of a series of integrated modules. Each module supports an individual traditional business function, such as accounting, distribution, manufacturing, and human resources. The modules are integrated to focus on business processes rather than on business functional areas. |
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Term
| Managed Service Provider(MSP) (p.36) |
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Definition
| An MSP can offer customized applications and also include business processes, engineering, security, and maintenance. MSP customers can pay based on a monthly charge or a per user basis and like ASPs, MSPs can provide services from outside a company's network. |
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Term
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Definition
| When another organization develops or runs a computer application for your organization. It includes a spectrum of working arrangements. |
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Term
| Request for Proposal(RFP) (p.40) |
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Definition
| An RFP will ask the vendor to propose hardware and system software that will meet the requirements of your new system. |
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Term
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Definition
| The use of previously written software resources in new applications. |
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Term
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Definition
| Constructive Cost Model uses parameters that were derived from prior projects of differing complexity. COCOMO uses these different parameters to predict human resource requirements for basic, intermediate, and complex systems. |
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Term
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Definition
| Refers to a sequence of task activities whose order and durations directly affect the completion date of a project. The critical path represents the shortest time in which a project can be completed. Any activity in the critical path that is delayed in completion delays the entire project. |
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Term
| Critical Path Scheduling (p.70) |
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Definition
| A technique such as a network diagram used for controlling resources. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| Study to determine whether the information system makes sense for the organization from an economic and operational standpoint. |
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Term
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Definition
| A graphical representation of a project that shows each task as a horizontal bar whose length is proportional to its time for completion. |
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Term
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Definition
| A graphical depiction of project tasks and their interrelationships. |
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Term
| PERT(Program Evaluation Review Technique) (p.70) |
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Definition
| Technique that uses optimistic, pessimistic, and realistic time estimates to calculate to calculate the expected time for a particular task. |
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Term
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Definition
| To bring the project to an end. |
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Term
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Definition
| Puts the baseline project plan into action. It occurs primarily during the analysis, design, and implementation phases. |
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Term
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Definition
| Involves defining clear, discrete activities and the work needed to complete each activity within a single project. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any person, group of people, piece of equipment, or material used in accomplishing an activity. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
| Work Breakdown Structure(WBS (p.58) |
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Definition
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