Constraints on systems development may include such factors as:

Constraints on systems development may include such factors as: 



A. available financial and human resources.
B. elements of the current system that cannot change.
C. legal and contractual restrictions.
D. a date when the current system is needed.
E. all of the above.


Answer: E

Which of the following is a true statement?

Which of the following is a true statement? 



A. Mandatory features screen out possible solutions; essential features are the important capabilities of a system that will serve as the primary basis for comparison of different design strategies.
B. Essential features screen out possible solutions; mandatory features are the important capabilities of a system that will serve as the primary basis for comparison of different design strategies.
C. Mandatory features screen out possible solutions; essential features are those that users could live without.
D. Essential features screen out possible solutions; mandatory features are those that users could live without.
E. Desired features screen out possible solutions; mandatory features are the important capabilities of a system that will serve as the primary basis for comparison of different design strategies.


Answer: A

System features might include:

System features might include: 



A. data kept in system files.
B. system outputs.
C. analyses to generate the information in system outputs.
D. expectations on accessibility, response time, or turn-around time for system functions.
E. all of the above.


Answer: E

Identifying mandatory features by surveying users and other stakeholders who have been involved in requirements determination would occur:

Identifying mandatory features by surveying users and other stakeholders who have been involved in requirements determination would occur: 



A. near the end of the analysis phase, after all requirements have been structured and analyzed.
B. near the end of the project identification and selection phase, after a formal request to conduct a project to design and develop an information systems solution has been approved.
C. during the logical design phase, while detailed function specifications of all data, forms, reports, screens, and processing rules for all aspects of the system are prepared.
D. during systems planning and selection.
E. during systems implementation and operation.



Answer: A

The alternative that goes beyond simply solving the problem in question and focuses instead on systems that contain many extra features users may desire is referred to as a:

The alternative that goes beyond simply solving the problem in question and focuses instead on systems that contain many extra features users may desire is referred to as a: 



A. low-end alternative.
B. high-end alternative.
C. quality-focused alternative.
D. requirements-dependent alternative.
E. constraints-dependent alternative.


Answer: B

Which of the following is a true statement regarding high-end alternatives?

Which of the following is a true statement regarding high-end alternatives? 



A. High-end alternative design strategies often do not involve computer technology; instead they focus on making paper flows more efficient or reducing redundancies in current processes.
B. High-end alternative design strategies represent compromise solutions.
C. Functionality is the primary focus of high-end alternative design strategies.
D. High-end alternative design strategies provide all the required functionality users demand with a system that is minimally different from the current system.
E. None of the above is correct.



Answer: C

Which of the following is a true statement regarding midrange alternatives?

Which of the following is a true statement regarding midrange alternatives? 



A. Midrange alternative design strategies often do not involve computer technology; instead they focus on making paper flows more efficient or reducing redundancies in current processes.
B. Midrange alternative design strategies represent compromise solutions.
C. Functionality is the primary focus of midrange alternative design strategies.
D. Midrange alternative design strategies provide all the required functionality users demand with a system that is minimally different from the current system.
E. Midrange alternative design strategies provide all the desired features using advanced technologies that often allow the system to expand to meet future requirements.


Answer: B

Shaping alternative system design strategies involves:

Shaping alternative system design strategies involves: 



A. enumerating different potential implementation environments.
B. proposing different ways to source or acquire the various sets of capabilities for the different implementation environments.
C. dividing requirements into different sets of capabilities.
D. all of the above.
E. none of the above.


Answer: D

Enumerating different potential implementation environments that could be used to deliver the different sets of capabilities occurs during the:

Enumerating different potential implementation environments that could be used to deliver the different sets of capabilities occurs during the: 



A. requirements structuring step of the analysis phase.
B. alternative generation and selection step of the analysis phase.
C. testing step of the implementation and operation phase.
D. project initiation and planning step of the planning and selection phase.
E. designing the human interface step of the design phase.



Answer: B

Dividing requirements into different sets of capabilities, ranging from the bare minimum that users would accept to the most elaborate and advanced system the company could afford to develop occurs during the:

Dividing requirements into different sets of capabilities, ranging from the bare minimum that users would accept to the most elaborate and advanced system the company could afford to develop occurs during the: 



A. requirements structuring step of the analysis phase.
B. alternative generation and selection step of the analysis phase.
C. testing step of the implementation and operation phase.
D. project initiation and planning step of the planning and selection phase.
E. designing the human interface step of the design phase.


Answer: B

Selecting the best alternative system involves:

Selecting the best alternative system involves: 



A. generating a comprehensive set of alternative design strategies.
B. selecting the alternative design strategy that is most likely to result in the desired information system, given all of the organizational, economic, and technical constraints that limit what can be done.
C. developing all technology and organizational specifications necessary to implement the new information system.
D. working with a customer to establish work standards and communication procedures.
E. both A and B.


Answer: E

During which of the following steps will you bring the current phase to a close, prepare a report and presentation to management concerning continuation of the project, and get ready to move the project into design?

During which of the following steps will you bring the current phase to a close, prepare a report and presentation to management concerning continuation of the project, and get ready to move the project into design? 



A. Designing the human interface
B. Requirements determination
C. Project initiation and planning
D. Alternative generation and selection
E. Requirements structuring


Answer: D

A "many" maximum cardinality is noted on the E-R diagram by:

A "many" maximum cardinality is noted on the E-R diagram by: 



A. placing a crow's foot notation near the entity.
B. placing a zero through the line near the entity.
C. using a double ellipse near the entity.
D. placing two slash marks near the entity.
E. using brackets.


Answer: A

If entity B is a mandatory participant, then:

If entity B is a mandatory participant, then: 



A. the minimum cardinality of the relationship is two.
B. the minimum cardinality of the relationship cannot be defined.
C. the minimum cardinality of the relationship is one.
D. the minimum cardinality of the relationship is optional.
E. the join level is not null.


Answer: C

Which of the following is a true statement?

Which of the following is a true statement? 



A. The goal of conceptual data modeling is to capture as much of the meaning of data as is possible.
B. The efficiencies gained by maintaining systems at the rule rather than code level drastically reduce cost.
C. If a thorough repository of data descriptions is kept, the system can be regenerated as the business rules change.
D. The more details about data that we can model, the better the system we can design and build.
E. All of the above are true statements.


Answer: E

On an entity-relationship diagram, the entity's identifier is:

On an entity-relationship diagram, the entity's identifier is: 



A. identified by using a double-lined ellipse.
B. underlined on an E-R diagram.
C. bold on an E-R diagram.
D. written in all capital letters on an E-R diagram.
E. placed in italics.



Answer: B

When selecting an identifier, one should:

When selecting an identifier, one should: 



A. use intelligent keys.
B. use large composite keys instead of single-attribute surrogate keys.
C. choose a candidate key that will not change its value over the life of each instance of the entity type.
D. choose a candidate key such that for each instance of the entity, the attribute is guaranteed to have valid values or is null.
E. choose a candidate key that allows for duplicate values.



Answer: C

Which of the following is a true statement?

Which of the following is a true statement? 



A. Data entities correspond to sources/sinks on a data flow diagram.
B. Relationships correspond to data flows on a data flow diagram.
C. A data entity will have many possible instances.
D. Verbs are used to name entity types.
E. An entity type is described many times in the data model.


Answer: C

A single occurrence of an entity type defines:

A single occurrence of an entity type defines: 



A. entity instance.
B. entity appearance.
C. attribute.
D. data element.
E. multivalued attribute.


Answer: A

A renewal is an example of a:

A renewal is an example of a: 



A. data element.
B. attribute.
C. entity.
D. relationship.
E. action stub.


Answer: C

A product is an example of a:

A product is an example of a: 



A. data element.
B. attribute.
C. entity.
D. relationship.
E. process.


Answer: C

Asking system users and business managers "Is each activity or event always handled the same way or are there special circumstances?" helps determine:

Asking system users and business managers "Is each activity or event always handled the same way or are there special circumstances?" helps determine: 




A. the candidate key.
B. integrity rules, minimum and maximum cardinality, and time dimensions of data.
C. security controls and understanding who really knows the meaning of data.
D. attributes and secondary keys.
E. relationships and their cardinality and degrees.



Answer: B

Asking system users and managers "Who is responsible for establishing legitimate values for these data?" helps determine:

Asking system users and managers "Who is responsible for establishing legitimate values for these data?" helps determine: 



A. the candidate key.
B. security controls and understanding who really knows the meaning of data.
C. relationships and their cardinality and degrees.
D. attributes and secondary keys.
E. integrity rules, minimum and maximum cardinality, and time dimensions of data.


Answer: B

Asking system users and business managers "How many instances of each object might exist?" would help determine:

Asking system users and business managers "How many instances of each object might exist?" would help determine: 



A. the data entities and their descriptions.
B. the candidate key.
C. attributes and secondary keys.
D. relationships and their cardinality and degrees.
E. integrity rules, minimum and maximum cardinality, and time dimensions of data.



Answer: A

The data modeling perspective that derives the business rules for a data model from an intimate understanding of the nature of the business, rather than from any specific information requirements in screens, reports, or business forms, is referred to as the:

The data modeling perspective that derives the business rules for a data model from an intimate understanding of the nature of the business, rather than from any specific information requirements in screens, reports, or business forms, is referred to as the: 



A. top-down approach.
B. bottom-up approach.
C. overview approach.
D. business approach.
E. conceptual approach.



Answer: A

Which of the following is a true statement?

Which of the following is a true statement? 



A. A data model explains what the organization does and what rules govern how work is done in the organization.
B. To construct a data model, you need to know how data are processed.
C. To construct a data model, you need to know when data are processed.
D. A data flow diagram graphically illustrates the structure and relationships among data items.
E. During conceptual data modeling, the preparation of a Network diagram is necessary.


Answer: A

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

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



Answer: A

During systems implementation and operation:

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.


Answer: E

During systems design:

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.


Answer: B

During systems planning and selection:

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.


Answer: D

During systems analysis:

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.


Answer: A

The most common format used for data modeling is:

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.


Answer: B

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

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.



Answer: A

Which of the following is a true statement?

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.


Answer: C

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

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.


Answer: E

Disruptive technologies include:

Disruptive technologies include: 



A. distributed databases.
B. expert systems.
C. decision support tools.
D. automatic identification and tracking technology.
E. all of the above.


Answer: E

The search for, and implementation of, radical change in business processes to achieve breakthrough improvements in products and services best defines:

The search for, and implementation of, radical change in business processes to achieve breakthrough improvements in products and services best defines: 



A. joint application design.
B. rapid application development.
C. structured programming.
D. business process reengineering.
E. disruptive design.



Answer: D

Prototyping is most useful for requirements determination when:

Prototyping is most useful for requirements determination when: 



A. user requirements are well understood.
B. communication problems have existed in the past between users and analysts.
C. possible designs are simple and require an abstract form to fully evaluate.
D. multiple stakeholders are involved with the system.
E. data are not readily available.


Answer: B

Drawbacks to prototyping include:

Drawbacks to prototyping include: 



A. a tendency to avoid creating formal documentation of systems requirements which can then make the system more difficult to develop into a fully working system.
B. prototypes becoming very idiosyncratic to the initial user and difficult to diffuse or adapt to other potential users.
C. prototypes are often built as stand-alone systems.
D. checks in the SDLC are bypassed so that some more subtle, but still important, system requirements might be forgotten.
E. all of the above.


Answer: E

Which of the following JAD participants use the system in question and provide insight into new organizational directions, motivations for and organizational impacts of systems, and support for requirements determined during the JAD?

Which of the following JAD participants use the system in question and provide insight into new organizational directions, motivations for and organizational impacts of systems, and support for requirements determined during the JAD? 



A. Managers
B. Sponsors
C. Session leaders
D. Users
E. Scribes


Answer: A

The typical participants in a JAD include:

The typical participants in a JAD include: 



A. a session leader.
B. a scribe.
C. a sponsor.
D. systems analysts.
E. all of the above.



Answer: E

When comparing observations and document analysis:

When comparing observations and document analysis: 



A. the time required to conduct observations compared to document analysis is low.
B. the expense of the observation method is quite low.
C. the potential audience of the observation method is limited.
D. a clear commitment is discernible.
E. the chances of probing and clarification are good with document analysis.


Answer: C

Which of the following is a true statement regarding JAD?

Which of the following is a true statement regarding JAD? 



A. A working system is the end result of a JAD.
B. JAD sessions are usually conducted in the organization's conference room.
C. The primary purpose of using JAD in the analysis phase is to collect systems requirements simultaneously from the key people involved with the system.
D. A JAD session is inexpensive to conduct.
E. JADs benefit greatly from computer support.



Answer: C

When reviewing job procedures, you may find:

When reviewing job procedures, you may find: 



A. a missing procedure.
B. duplicate procedures.
C. out of date procedures.
D. a contradiction between a formal procedure and interview or observation results.
E. all of the above.


Answer: E

A report:

A report: 



A. indicates the inputs required for the new system.
B. describes how a particular job or task is performed, including data and information that are used and created in the process of performing the job.
C. indicates what data flow in or out of a system and which are necessary for the system to function.
D. enables you to work backward from the information on the document and identify the data that must have been necessary to generate it.
E. does none of the above.


Answer: D

Forms are most useful:

Forms are most useful: 



A. when they do not contain any data.
B. during the initial planning stages.
C. when they contain actual organizational data.
D. during the design stage.
E. during the requirements structuring stage.


Answer: C

Forms are important for understanding a business because they:

Forms are important for understanding a business because they: 



A. indicate the correct sequencing of tasks.
B. describe how particular tasks are performed.
C. indicate what data flow in or out of a system and which are necessary for the system to function.
D. enable you to work backwards from the information on a report to the necessary data that must have been necessary to generate them.
E. identify duplicate efforts within a system.


Answer: C

If your analysis of several written procedures reveals a duplication of effort in two jobs, you should:

If your analysis of several written procedures reveals a duplication of effort in two jobs, you should: 



A. indicate that one job be deleted from the new system.
B. call the duplication to the attention of management as an issue to be resolved before system design can proceed.
C. justify the duplication of effort.
D. restructure the tasks so that the duplication is removed.
E. not mention the duplication of effort to management.



Answer: B

A written work procedure:

A written work procedure: 



A. indicates the job an analyst will need to perform on a given project.
B. describes how a particular job or task is performed, including data and information that are used and created in the process of performing the job.
C. indicates what data flow in or out of a system and which are necessary for the system to function.
D. enables you to work backwards from the information on a report to the data that must have been necessary to generate it.
E. determines if the information makes sense for the organization from an economic and operational standpoint.


Answer: B

The analysis of documents can help you identify:

The analysis of documents can help you identify: 



A. problems with existing systems.
B. special information processing circumstances that occur irregularly and may not be identified by any other requirements determination technique.
C. the reason why current systems are designed the way they are.
D. the organizational direction that can influence information system requirements.
E. all of the above.


Answer: E

Which of the following is a reason for directly observing end users?

Which of the following is a reason for directly observing end users? 



A. The analyst gets a snapshot image of the person or task being observed.
B. Observations are not very time consuming.
C. People often do not have a completely accurate appreciation of what they do or how they do it.
D. Employees will alter their performance if they know that they are being observed.
E. Interviewing is less rich, passive, and often provides ambiguous data.


Answer: C

Good interview guidelines consist of:

Good interview guidelines consist of: 



A. phrasing the question to illicit the correct response.
B. typing your notes within two weeks of the interview.
C. establishing expectation levels about the new system.
D. seeking a variety of perspectives from the interviews.
E. using as much time as you need.


Answer: D

Which of the following is an advantage of closed-ended questions?

Which of the following is an advantage of closed-ended questions? 



A. Interviews based on closed-ended questions do not necessarily require a large time commitment, so more topics can be covered.
B. Closed-ended questions enable the analysts to explore information that does not quite fit defined answers.
C. The analyst can obtain previously unknown information.
D. Closed-ended questions often put the interviewee at ease.
E. The interviewee has a sense of involvement and control in the interview.


Answer: A

Which of the following can be considered an advantage of closed-ended questions?

Which of the following can be considered an advantage of closed-ended questions? 



A. The interviewer can explore unexpected lines of inquiry.
B. Closed-ended questions work well when the major answers to the questions are well known.
C. The interviewee has a sense of involvement and control in the interview.
D. Closed-ended questions often put the interviewee at ease.
E. Previously unknown information may surface.


Answer: B

Which of the following can be considered an advantage of open-ended questions?

Which of the following can be considered an advantage of open-ended questions? 



A. The interviewer can explore unexpected lines of inquiry.
B. Open-ended questions often put the interviewee at ease.
C. The interviewee has a sense of involvement and control in the interview.
D. Interviewees can respond in their own words using their own structure.
E. All of the above.


Answer: E

One advantage of open-ended questions in an interview is:

One advantage of open-ended questions in an interview is: 



A. a significant amount of time can be devoted to each interviewee.
B. the interviewee is restricted to providing just a few answers.
C. previously unknown information can result.
D. they work well when the answers to the questions are well known.
E. they are not biased.


Answer: C

The purpose of requirements structuring is to:

The purpose of requirements structuring is to: 



A. enable the analysts to gather information on what the system should do from as many sources as possible.
B. enable the analysts to develop a baseline project plan quickly.
C. enable the large amount of information gathered during requirements determination to be organized.
D. enable the analysts to identify several feasible alternatives.


Answer: C

Which of the following are organizational components that a systems analyst needs to understand?

Which of the following are organizational components that a systems analyst needs to understand? 



A. Key events affecting data values and when these events occur
B. Policies and guidelines that describe the nature of the business, the market, and the environment in which it operates
C. The sequence and other dependencies among different data-handling activities
D. The data handled within the organization to support the jobs
E. All of the above



Answer: E

The reframing characteristic of a good systems analyst is represented by which of the following statements?

The reframing characteristic of a good systems analyst is represented by which of the following statements? 



A. You must challenge yourself to look at the organization in new ways.
B. Every fact must fit with every other fact.
C. Assume anything is possible, and eliminate the infeasible.
D. You should question everything.
E. Your role is to find the best solution to a business problem.


Answer: A

Ensuring that every fact fits with every other fact best describes:

Ensuring that every fact fits with every other fact best describes: 



A. the impertinence characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
B. the impartiality characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
C. the relaxing of constraints characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
D. the attention to details characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
E. the reframing characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.


Answer: D

Questioning everything best describes:

Questioning everything best describes: 



A. the impertinence characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
B. the impartiality characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
C. the relaxing of constraints characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
D. the attention to details characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
E. the reframing characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.


Answer: A

Assuming anything is possible and eliminating the infeasible best describes:

Assuming anything is possible and eliminating the infeasible best describes: 



A. the impertinence characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
B. the impartiality characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
C. the relaxing of constraints characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
D. the attention to details characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.
E. the reframing characteristic a systems analyst needs during requirements determination.


Answer: C

The impartiality characteristic of a good systems analyst is represented by which of the following statements?

The impartiality characteristic of a good systems analyst is represented by which of the following statements? 



A. You must challenge yourself to look at the organization in new ways.
B. Your role is to find the best solution to a business problem or opportunity.
C. Assume anything is possible, and eliminate the infeasible.
D. You should question everything.
E. Every fact must fit with every other fact.


Answer: B

The impertinence characteristic of a good systems analyst is represented by which of the following statements?

The impertinence characteristic of a good systems analyst is represented by which of the following statements? 



A. You must challenge yourself to look at the organization in new ways.
B. You should question everything.
C. Assume anything is possible, and eliminate the infeasible.
D. Your role is to find the best solution to a business problem.
E. Every fact must fit with every other fact.


Answer: B

Which of the following is a subphase of analysis?

Which of the following is a subphase of analysis? 



A. Project identification
B. Project planning
C. Requirements determination
D. Database design
E. Human interface design


Answer: C