chapter 7-the systems life cycle

Question 1

what would initiate a need to ubgrade a system (4)

Answer 1

-existiting computer equipment is obsolete
-changes to laws of taxes
-more suitable hardware thats more efficient and reliable is available
-theres a need to expand the company

Question 2

who needs to be brought in to oversee the upgrade process

Answer 2

system analyst

Question 3

what are the 6 stages in the systems life cycle

Answer 3

1-analysis
2-design
3-development and testing
4-implementation
5-documentation
6-evaluation

Question 4

what are the 4 methods used to analyse the current system

Answer 4

questionnares
observations
interviews
examination of existing documents

Question 5

what is obervation in terms of research method for analysis stage

Answer 5

watching personnel using the existing system to find out how it works

Question 6

whatre the advantages and disadvantages of observations

Answer 6

adv-reliable data is obtained,gets an overallview of the system,inexpensive bc it only involved the analyst,all input and outoput are see
dis-people uncomfortable with being watched and can work in diff ways,workers may behave differentely when being watched

Question 7

what is interviews in terms of research method for analysis stage

Answer 7

one to one wuestion and answer session between the analyst and the user to check specific aspects of the existing system

Question 8

whatre the advantages and disadvantages of interviews

Answer 8

adv-it gives the oppoutunity to motivate users to giving open and honest answers,allows analyst to have more feedback since questions are open ended,analysts can watch body lang
dis-time consuming,expensive since a team of interviewers is needed,user isnt anonymous so they may not be honest,user can give a desired answer.

Question 9

What’re the advantages and disadvantgges of questionnaires

Answer 9

+: can reach a wider audience,cheaper easier and faster
-:not accurate,low completion rates and people;e can’t expand on answers

Question 10

What’re the advantages and disadvantages of collecting documents

Answer 10

+:analyst can see how paper system operates and how it obtains critical information
-:time consuming and costly.

Question 11

What’s the final step of analysis stage

Answer 11

Creating a requirement specifications which explains improvements and expectations

Question 12

What’s created during the design stage and what does it need to include

Answer 12

Forms which include spacing,defined input areas,easy to read fonts and colors,navigation buttons and drag down lists and boxes

Question 13

What’re the 5 data validation checks used in the design stage

Answer 13

• presence check
• range check
  -length check
  -type check (ex;no letters in numeric field)
  -format check

Question 14

What’re the 3 types of verification used in design stage

Answer 14

-data verification where you double check visually with a document by your side
-Proof reading where you read data over
-double data entry where a system requires data to be entered twice

Question 15

What 3 aspects of the system are checked in development stage

Answer 15

-file structure
-validation techniques
-user interface

Question 16

What’re the 3 types of data testing and what happens after a system is fully tested

Answer 16

-normal data (within range)
-abnormal data (outside range)
-extreme data (on boundary)
Live data will then be entered and results are compared to those from the previous system

Question 17

What are the 4 implementation techniques

Answer 17

1- direct changeover
2-parallel running (new and old work together)
3-phased system (gradually introduced)
4-pilot running (trialled in 1 department)

Question 18

What’re the advantages and disadvantages of direct changeover as an implementation technique

Answer 18

+:system is fully tested before its implemented and costs are reduced since only 1 system is being used at a time
-: if the new system fails the old one can’t be used again,might not be enough time to train employees.

Question 19

What’re the advantages and disadvantages of parallel running as an implementation technique

Answer 19

+: if new system doesn’t work then the old one is still avalible,employees graduallly trained
-:tasks need to be duplicated as data is inputted into both system which requires more work from employees and therefore more salary which increases overall costs.

Question 20

What’re the advantages and disadvantages of phased running as an implementation technique

Answer 20

+: you only introduce.a new part of the system if the previous part is properly working,you can go back
-: time consuming as each part needs to be evaluated,training sessions needed each time a new part of the system is introduced.

Question 21

What’re the advantages and disadvantages of pilot running as an implementation technique

Answer 21

+: only 1 department is effected if the system doesn’t meet requirements,training can take place in 1 department only and those employees can be used to help others,failure only effects 1 department
-:take a while for the new system to implemented across all department.

Question 22

What’re the 2 types of documentations that have to be made after testing

Answer 22

User documntation (how to use the system)
Technical documentation(to know exactly how the system works)

Question 23

Why do we evaluate the new system

Answer 23

To refer back to the requirement specification and see if the new system resolved issues and met requirements stated in design process.

Question 24

What’re the 3 steps of evaluation stage

Answer 24

1-compare system with requirements
2-identify limitations and any improvements that could be made
3-evaluate user responses to testing