Chapter 13 Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?
A structured software development framework from the 1960s involving six phases.
What are the six phases of SDLC?
A:
System Investigation (planning and feasibility).
System Analysis (business requirement identification).
System Design (IT infrastructure and system models).
Programming and Testing (coding and verification).
Implementation (system deployment and training).
Operation and Maintenance (changes, corrections, upgrades).
What is another name for SDLC?
The Waterfall approach.
What is the main strength of SDLC?
Clear customer expectations and meticulous record-keeping, which reduces the impact of employee turnover.
What are the weaknesses of SDLC?
Heavy reliance on initial requirements, which may be incomplete, erroneous, or evolve over time.
When is SDLC most suitable?
In stable environments with predictable and well-defined user requirements.
What is Agile development?
A software development methodology introduced after 2001, delivering functionality in rapid iterations or “sprints,” usually lasting weeks.
Who are the key roles in Agile development?
A:
Product Owner (represents stakeholders).
Scrum Team (develops the product).
Scrum Master (facilitates the process).
What are the steps in an Agile sprint?
Plan, develop, test, review, and deploy functionality within a single iteration.
What are the benefits of Agile development?
Faster return on investment, high customer satisfaction, increased project control, and reduced risk.
What are the limitations of Agile development?
A:
Difficulty in assessing effort.
Limited documentation.
Intensity for development teams.
Unsuitability for regulated or quality-controlled software.
How does Agile differ from SDLC?
Agile focuses on flexibility and rapid iterations, while SDLC emphasizes a structured, sequential process.
When should Agile development be used?
For consumer-facing applications requiring adaptability and frequent updates.
What is IT strategic planning?
The process of defining an organization’s IT strategy, making decisions on resource allocation to pursue this strategy.
What are the three objectives of IT strategic planning?
Ensure IT-business alignment.
Provide for IT architecture.
Ensure efficient resource allocation.
What is an IT steering committee?
A group of IT and business managers from strategic areas that oversees IT strategic planning, often supported by an IT architect committee.
What are the major cost categories in IT investments?
Fixed costs (e.g., infrastructure, hardware).
Ongoing costs (e.g., maintenance, subscriptions).
What are the major benefit categories in IT investments?
Strategic benefits (e.g., market differentiation).
Operational benefits (e.g., efficiency).
Managerial benefits (e.g., improved decision-making).
What was UPS’s vision in the 1980s?
Transitioning to an IT-driven firm focused on market expansion, customer satisfaction, and good service.
What major IT investments did UPS make?
Created a global network (UPS Net) by 1990.
Built centralized databases for customers, packages, and employees.
Developed package tracking tools and integrated them with e-commerce systems.
What problems did UPS face after 2000 with IT projects?
Overload of IT project applications.
Slow responses from IT departments to business units.
Exhaustion of obvious service opportunities.
What were the outcomes of UPS’s IT strategy?
By the late 2000s, UPS had developed 30+ services, including online tracking tools and rate calculators, enhancing its market opportunities in e-commerce.
What are two criteria for making IT investment decisions?
Alignment with business strategy.
Long-term benefits over immediate cost concerns.
How did UPS align IT with its business strategy?
By focusing on long-term IT development, embedding tools into customer systems, and prioritizing customer satisfaction through IT-driven services.
