Question 1

The primary deliverable from the conceptual data-modeling step within the analysis phase is:
A) a state-transition diagram.
B) an entity-relationship diagram.
C) a context data flow diagram.
D) a decision table.
E) Structured English.

Accepted Answer

The primary deliverable from the conceptual data-modeling step within the analysis phase is an entity-relationship diagram (ERD). An ERD is a diagrammatic representation of entities and their relationships to each other. It provides a conceptual model of the data requirements of an organization or system, and serves as a basis for designing a physical database. A state-transition diagram is a modeling technique used to depict the behavior of a system, a context data flow diagram is used to show the flow of data in a system, a decision table is a tool used to make decisions based on multiple conditions, and Structured English is a simple notation used to describe processes in a step-by-step manner. None of these are the primary deliverable from the conceptual data-modeling step within the analysis phase.

Question 2

During systems analysis:
A) a conceptual data model (E-R with attributes) is prepared.
B) a logical model (relational) is prepared.
C) physical files and database designs are prepared.
D) an enterprise-wide data model is prepared.
E) database and file definitions are prepared.

Accepted Answer

The answer of During systems analysis:
A) a conceptual data model...

Question 3

Process, logic, and data-model descriptions of a system must be consistent and complete since:
A) they each describe different but complementary views of the same information system.
B) they are prepared during the analysis phase.
C) they are constructed in parallel by separate analyst teams.
D) a data model indicates when the data are processed.
E) a data model shows how the data are processed.

Accepted Answer

Process, logic, and data-model descriptions are three different but complementary views of the same information system. They need to be consistent and complete as they describe the same system from different angles. Process descriptions show how the system operates, logic descriptions show how the system works, and data-model descriptions show how the data is structured and related. All three are vital for a complete understanding of the system.

Question 4

When generating alternative design strategies, a high-end alternative will provide all desired features using advanced technologies that often allow the system to expand to meet future requirements.

Accepted Answer

A high-end alternative is designed with advanced technologies that can provide all the desired features and can be expanded to meet future needs.

Question 5

Constraints on systems development include time, finances, and legal and contractual restrictions.

Accepted Answer

Constraints on systems development can include limitations on time, budget, and legal and contractual requirements that must be followed. These factors help to shape the project and determine the scope of what can be achieved within those constraints.

Question 6

The minimum requirements for a new system are also its mandatory features.

Accepted Answer

The minimum requirements for a system are the basic features that the system must have in order to function properly. Therefore, these requirements are mandatory features that must be present in the system.

Question 7

During systems design:
A) a conceptual data model (E-R with attributes) is prepared.
B) a logical model (relational) is prepared.
C) a conceptual data model (E-R with only entities for the specific project) is prepared.
D) an enterprise-wide data model is prepared.
E) database and file definitions are prepared.

Accepted Answer

During systems design, a logical model, often relational, is prepared to define the structure of the database in terms of tables, columns, and relationships.

Question 8

Desired features are those that users could live without but that are used to select between design strategies that are of almost equal value in terms of essential features.

Accepted Answer

Desired features are not essential to the functionality of a product but are used to differentiate between design options that have almost equal value in terms of essential features.

Question 9

When generating alternative design strategies, low-end solutions may not involve computer technology at all.

Accepted Answer

Alternative design strategies can be generated using low-end solutions that do not require computer technology. These solutions could involve manual techniques, non-electronic equipment, or simple mechanical systems.

Question 10

During systems development, essential features to consider include data, output, and analyses.

Accepted Answer

Data, output, and analyses are all critical components of systems development and must be carefully considered in order to create an effective system.

Question 11

Essential features are those that everyone agrees are necessary to solve the problem or meet the opportunity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Essential features are those that everyone agrees...

Question 12

The identification of a system's mandatory features would be performed during systems planning and selection.

Accepted Answer

The identification of a system's mandatory features is typically performed during the systems analysis phase, not during systems planning and selection.

Question 13

Which of the following is a true statement?
A) Data characteristics are dynamic.
B) A data model explains the transient form of an organization.
C) An information system design based on a data orientation, rather than a process or logic orientation, should have a longer useful life.
D) Data flow paths are permanent.
E) A data model graphically represents the processes that capture, manipulate, store, and distribute data between a system and its environment and among components within a system.

Accepted Answer

An information system design based on a data orientation is focused on the organization's data and how it is stored, processed, and accessed. Such systems are designed to have a longer useful life because they are less affected by changes in the organization's processes or operations. Data characteristics, data flow paths, and data modeling represent the dynamic nature of data and the processes that manipulate them. However, A and E do not accurately explain the concept of data orientation, and B is incorrect because a data model represents the structure and relationships of data, not the organization as a whole.

Question 14

The most common format used for data modeling is:
A) state-transition diagramming.
B) entity-relationship diagramming.
C) process modeling.
D) logic modeling.
E) a flowchart.

Accepted Answer

The most common format used for data modeling is entity-relationship diagramming, which uses various symbols to represent entities, attributes, relationships, and cardinality. State-transition diagramming is used for modeling the behavior of a system, process modeling is used for modeling workflows and business processes, logic modeling is used for modeling logic statements, and flowcharts are used for illustrating the flow of processes or decision making.

Question 15

During systems implementation and operation:
A) a conceptual data model (E-R with attributes) is prepared.
B) a logical model (relational) is prepared.
C) physical files and database designs are prepared.
D) an enterprise-wide data model is prepared.
E) database and file definitions are prepared.

Accepted Answer

During systems implementation and operation, database and file definitions are prepared. This involves translating the logical data model into a physical database design, determining file organization, and specifying data types and structures for each attribute. Choices A, B, C, and D are all steps that typically occur earlier in the systems development life cycle, during the analysis and design phases.

Question 16

While essential features help screen out possible solutions, desirable features help compare alternative design strategies.

Accepted Answer

The answer of While essential features help screen out possible...

Question 17

Conceptual data modeling is typically done in parallel with other requirements analysis and structuring steps during:
A) systems planning and selection.
B) systems design.
C) systems analysis.
D) systems implementation and operation.
E) systems evaluation.

Accepted Answer

Conceptual data modeling is part of the systems analysis phase, which includes requirements gathering, analysis, and structuring.

Question 18

Which of the following is produced and analyzed during conceptual data modeling?
A) An entity relationship diagram for the project's application
B) A data dialogue diagram for the project's application
C) A Gantt chart for the whole database from which the new application's data are extracted
D) A Network diagram for the whole database from which the new application's data are extracted
E) A data flow diagram that shows how the new system will be physically implemented

Accepted Answer

During conceptual data modeling, an entity relationship diagram (ERD) is produced and analyzed. The ERD displays relationships between entities and attributes within the database, and is used to create a visual representation of the data model. The other options listed (B, C, D, and E) are not typically associated with conceptual data modeling.

Question 19

During systems planning and selection:
A) a conceptual data model (E-R with attributes) is prepared.
B) a logical model (relational) is prepared.
C) physical files and database designs are prepared.
D) an enterprise-wide data model is prepared.
E) database and file definitions are prepared.

Accepted Answer

During systems planning and selection, an enterprise-wide data model is prepared to provide a high-level overview of the organization's data requirements and structure.

Question 20

Some systems developers believe that a data model is the most important part of the statement of information system requirements because:
A) the characteristics of data captured during data modeling are crucial in the design of databases, programs, computer screens, and printed reports.
B) data rather than processes are the most complex aspects of many modern information systems and thus require a central role in structuring system requirements.
C) the characteristics about data are reasonably permanent.
D) structural information about data is essential to generate programs automatically.
E) of all of the above.

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed are valid reasons why some systems developers believe that a data model is the most important part of the statement of information system requirements. The characteristics of data captured during data modeling are crucial in designing databases, computer programs, and reports. Data tends to be more complex than processes in many modern information systems, making it necessary for data to have a central role in defining system requirements. Furthermore, data tend to be reasonably permanent and structural information about data is essential for generating programs automatically.

Quiz 7: Structuring System Requirements: Conceptual Data Modeling

The primary deliverable from the conceptual data-modeling step within the analysis phase is:

During systems analysis:

Process, logic, and data-model descriptions of a system must be consistent and complete since:

When generating alternative design strategies, a high-end alternative will provide all desired features using advanced technologies that often allow the system to expand to meet future requirements.

Constraints on systems development include time, finances, and legal and contractual restrictions.

The minimum requirements for a new system are also its mandatory features.

During systems design:

Desired features are those that users could live without but that are used to select between design strategies that are of almost equal value in terms of essential features.

When generating alternative design strategies, low-end solutions may not involve computer technology at all.

During systems development, essential features to consider include data, output, and analyses.

Essential features are those that everyone agrees are necessary to solve the problem or meet the opportunity.

The identification of a system's mandatory features would be performed during systems planning and selection.

Which of the following is a true statement?

The most common format used for data modeling is:

During systems implementation and operation:

While essential features help screen out possible solutions, desirable features help compare alternative design strategies.

Conceptual data modeling is typically done in parallel with other requirements analysis and structuring steps during:

Which of the following is produced and analyzed during conceptual data modeling?

During systems planning and selection:

Some systems developers believe that a data model is the most important part of the statement of information system requirements because: