Deck 12: Systems Design

Question 1

In systems analysis the analyst specifies the detailed computer-based solution.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Systems analysis emphasizes the business problem; systems design focuses on the technical or implementation concerns of the system.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Data-driven design emphasizes the drawing of pictorial system models to document the technical or implementation aspects of a system.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Modern structured design, information engineering, and object-oriented design are examples of model-driven approaches.

Question 5

Modern structured design is a process-oriented technique for breaking up a large program into a hierarchy of modules resulting in computer programs that are easier to implement and maintain.

Question 6

Synonyms for modern structured design are: top-down program design and structured programming.

Question 7

Structured design is currently the most popular system design method.

Question 8

Structured design is considered a process-oriented technique because its emphasis is on the process building blocks in our information system.

Question 9

Structured design seeks to factor a program into the top-down hierarchy of modules that have the following properties - (1) modules should be highly cohesive; and (2) modules should be loosely coupled.

Question 10

When modules are highly cohesive, each module should accomplish one and only one function. This makes the modules reusable in future programs.

Question 11

When modules are tightly coupled, modules are minimally dependent on one another. This minimizes the effect that future changes in one module will have on other modules.

Question 12

The structure chart is derived by studying the flow of data through the program. Structured design is performed during systems design.

Question 13

Information engineering (IE) is a model-driven and data-centered, but process-sensitive, technique to plan, analyze, and design information systems.

Question 14

The primary tool of information engineering is the data model diagram (also known as the entity-relationship diagram).

Question 15

The prototyping approach is an iterative process involving a close working relationship between the designer and the users where a working, programmed model of the system is used to facilitate the specification of the design.

Question 16

An advantage of prototyping is that it encourages and requires active end-user participation. This increases end-user morale and support for the project.

Question 17

A disadvantage of prototyping is that it encourages and requires active end-user participation.

Question 18

An advantage of prototyping is that iteration and change are a natural consequence of systems development. End-users tend to change their minds. Prototyping better fits this natural situation because it assumes that a prototype evolves, through iteration, into the required system.

Question 19

An advantage of prototyping is that it helps end-users to visualize how a system will work, and hence help them to more fully know their requirements.

Question 20

An advantage of prototypes is that an approved prototype is a working equivalent to a paper design specification, with one exception - errors can be detected much earlier.

Question 21

An advantage of prototyping is that creativity can increase because it allows for quicker user feedback, which can lead to better solutions.

Question 22

A disadvantage of prototyping is that creativity can decrease because it allows for slower user feedback, which can lead to delayed solutions.

Question 23

A disadvantage of prototyping is that it encourages a return to the "code, implement, and repair" life cycle that used to dominate information systems.

Question 24

An advantage of prototyping is that it encourages a return to the "code, implement, and repair" life cycle that used to dominate information systems.

Question 25

With prototyping there is no need for the systems analysis phases.

Question 26

System design is also called logical design.

Question 27

A disadvantage of prototyping is that you cannot completely substitute any prototype for a paper specification. No engineer would prototype an engine without some paper design. Yet many information systems professionals try to prototype without a specification. Prototyping should be used to complement, not replace, other methodologies. The level of detail required of the paper design may be reduced, but it is not eliminated.

Question 28

Prototyping does not address numerous design issues. These issues can inadvertently be forgotten if you are not careful.

Question 29

Prototyping completely addresses design issues and helps you to remember all of them in detail.

Question 30

Prototyping is that it often leads to a premature commitment to a design (usually the first one implemented).

Question 31

A disadvantage of prototyping is that the scope and complexity of the system can quickly expand beyond original plans. This can easily get out of control.

Question 32

Prototyping helps keep the scope and complexity of the system project under control.

Question 33

A disadvantage of prototyping is that it can reduce creativity in designs.

Question 34

A disadvantage of prototypes is that they often suffer from slower performance than their third generation counterparts.

Question 35

Prototypes can be built for simple outputs, computer dialogues, key functions, entire subsystems or even the entire system.

Question 36

Prototypes can only be built to simulate the user dialogue with the system.

Question 37

Object technologies and techniques are an attempt to eliminate the separation of concerns about data and process.

Question 38

Rapid application development (RAD) is the merger of various structured techniques (especially the data-driven information engineering) with prototyping techniques and joint application development techniques to accelerate systems development.

Question 39

Rapid application development calls for the interactive use of structured techniques and prototyping to define the users' requirements and design the final system.

Question 40

Joint application development (JAD) is a technique that complements other systems analysis and design techniques by emphasizing participative development among system owners, users, designers and builders.

Question 41

An application architecture defines the technologies to be used by (and used to build) one, more, or all information systems in terms of its data, processes, interfaces and network components.

Question 42

An application architecture is a rapid application development technique that is used to draw data-flow diagrams automatically using the same kind of drawing tools used by architects.

Question 43

The logical data flow diagram (LDFD) is used to establish the physical processes and data stores across a network using Boolean logic.

Question 44

A database schema is the representation of scenarios of data use and activities so that the actor can specify the database necessary for the application.

Question 45

Once the database has been designed and possibly a prototype built, the systems designer can work closely with system users to develop input, output, and dialogue specifications.

Question 46

Databases should be shared resources.

Question 47

Each application should implement its own database, independent of the other applications used by a firm.

Question 48

Issues to be addressed during database design include: data structures and their impact on performance and flexibility; record size and storage volume requirements; internal controls to ensure proper security and disaster recovery techniques.

Question 49

For interface or dialogue design, the designer must consider such factors as terminal familiarity, possible errors and misunderstandings that the end-user may have or may encounter; the need for additional instructions or help at certain points, and screen content and layout.

Question 50

The final design task involves packaging all the specifications from the previous design tasks into a set of specifications that will guide the computer programmer's activities during the construction phase of the systems development methodology.

Question 51

System owners should get a final chance to question the project's feasibility and to determine whether the project should be adjusted, terminated, or approved to proceed to construction.

Question 52

The company may have an audit staff, responsible for insuring the integrity of the internal controls in a new system before construction.

Question 53

It is more common for a project manager to make design specifications available via a shared repository than to provide each individual developer with a copy of a printed set of organized specifications.

Question 54

At the completion of the design phase, analysts and system owners should consider the possibility that, based on the completed design work, the overall project schedule, cost estimates, and other estimates may need to be adjusted.

Question 55

The most notable differences between the "buy" versus in-house development projects is the inclusion of a new procurement phase and a special decision analysis phase to address software and services.

Question 56

In the procurement phase, the first task is to research technical alternatives. This identifies specifications that are important to the software and/or hardware that is to be selected. These requirements specify the functionality, features, and critical performance parameters.

Question 57

The request for proposal (RFP) is used when several different vendors and/or products are candidates and you want to solicit competitive proposals and quotes. Its purpose is to communicate requirements and desired features to prospective vendors.

Question 58

The request for proposal (RFP) is used when you have already decided on the specific product, but that product can be acquired from different distributors.

Question 59

Which of the following is a purpose of the procurement and decision analysis phase?

A) Identify and research specific products that could support our recommended solution for the target information system.
B) Solicit, evaluate, and rank vendor proposals.
C) Select and recommend the best vendor proposal.
D) Contract with the awarded vendor to obtain the product.
E) All of these

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT a purpose of the procurement and decision analysis phase?

A) Identify and research specific products that could support our recommended solution for the target information system.
B) Solicit, evaluate, and rank vendor proposals.
C) Reverse engineer and draw system models for each of the vendors' proposals.
D) Contract with the awarded vendor to obtain the product.
E) None of these

Question 61

In the procurement phase, which of the following is a resource used to conduct research on the technical alternatives?

A) technical and professional journals
B) internal standards
C) information services
D) trade newspapers and periodicals
E) all of these

Question 62

Which of the following emphasizes the drawing of pictorial system models to document the technical or implementation aspects of a new system?

A) model-driven design
B) rapid application development
C) joint application development
D) both rapid application development and joint application design
E) none of these

Question 63

Which of the following are examples of model-driven approaches?

A) structured design, rapid application development, CASE
B) information engineering, CASE, joint application design
C) object-oriented design, joint application, and rapid application development
D) structured design, information engineering and object-oriented design
E) none of these

Question 64

Structured design seeks to factor a program into the top-down hierarchy of modules that have the following properties:

A) loosely cohesive and highly coupled
B) loosely cohesive and loosely coupled
C) highly cohesive and highly coupled
D) highly cohesive and loosely coupled
E) none of these

Question 65

A model-driven and data-centered, but process-sensitive technique to plan, analyze and design information systems is known as:

A) prototyping
B) information engineering
C) reverse engineering
D) business process re-engineering
E) none of these

Question 66

A structure chart:

A) is derived by studying the flow of data through the program
B) is created during systems design
C) does not address all aspects of design
D) is the software model derived from structured design
E) all of these

Question 67

Which of the following is an advantage of prototyping?

A) It leads to early commitment to a design (usually the first design that is developed).
B) It negates the need for the systems analysis phases.
C) It addresses most, if not all, of the design issues.
D) It can increase creativity because it allows for quicker user feedback, which can lead to better solutions.
E) none of these

Question 68

Which of the following is an advantage of prototyping?

A) It encourages and requires active end-user participation.
B) It negates the need for the systems analysis phases.
C) It helps keep the scope and complexity of the system under control.
D) It can increase creativity because it encourages analysts, designers and end-users to look for better solutions.
E) none of these

Question 69

Which of the following is an advantage of prototyping?

A) Prototypes are an active, not passive, model that end-users can see, touch, feel and experience.
B) Prototyping can increase creativity because it allows for quicker user feedback, which can lead to better solutions.
C) Prototyping accelerates several phases of the life cycle.
D) Iteration and change are a natural consequence of systems development. Prototyping better fits this natural situation because it assumes that a prototype evolves.
E) all of these

Question 70

Which of the following is a disadvantage of prototyping?

A) Prototyping encourages a return to the "code, implement and repair" life cycle.
B) Prototypes are a passive model of the system.
C) End-users don't fully understand their requirements until they see them implemented.
D) Errors cannot be detected as easily when a prototype is developed.
E) none of these

Question 71

Which of the following is a disadvantage of prototyping?

A) Numerous design issues are not addressed by prototyping.
B) Prototyping does not negate the need for systems analysis phases.
C) The scope and complexity of the system can quickly get out of control.
D) A prototype cannot completely substitute for a paper specification.
E) all of these

Question 72

Which of the following is a disadvantage of prototyping?

A) It discourages the incorporation of changes into the design.
B) It is a working equivalent of a paper design specification.
C) It discourages end-user participation in the design process.
D) It does not negate the need for the systems analysis phases.
E) none of these

Question 73

The merger of various structured techniques (especially data-driven information engineering) with prototyping techniques and joint application techniques to accelerate systems development is known as:

A) application architecture
B) object-oriented design
C) model-driven design
D) rapid application development
E) none of these

Question 74

Which technique emphasizes the participative development among system owners, users, designers, and builders?

A) rapid application development
B) joint application development
C) application architecture
D) both rapid application development and joint application development
E) none of these

Question 75

What defines the technologies to be used by (and used to build) one, more, or all information systems in terms of their data, processes, interfaces and network components?

A) rapid application development
B) object-oriented design
C) application architecture
D) prototyping
E) none of these

Question 76

When you have already decided on the specific product, but that product can be acquired from different vendors or distributors, what would you use to solicit a proposal from a vendor?

A) request for proposal (RFP)
B) request for quotation (RFQ)
C) request for specification (RFS)
D) request for design (RFD)
E) none of these

Question 77

When several different vendors and/or products are candidates and you want to solicit competitive proposals and quotes, what would you use?

A) request for proposal (RFP)
B) request for quotation (RFQ)
C) request for specification (RFS)
D) request for design (RFD)
E) none of these

Question 78

Systems ______________________ emphasizes the business problem; systems _______________________ focuses on the technical or implementation concerns of the system.

Question 79

__________________________ design emphasizes the drawing of pictorial system models to document the technical or implementation aspects of a system.

Question 80

Structured design, information engineering, and object-oriented design are examples of __________________________________ approaches.