Monthly Test - Past Paper questions review Flashcards
(10 cards)
Identify two features that need to be considered when planning a new computing system for an organization. [2]
Roles/activities of the users (eg permissions, security, partitions, collaborative work);
Resources (HW and SW equipment) appropriate for the organization;
Costs/budget limits;
Delivery time;
Compatibility with the old system (data);
Outline one problem of maintaining legacy systems. [2]
Award up to [2 max].
Award [1] for evidence that the candidate knows what is meant by “maintaining legacy systems”. Award [1] for any appropriate problem outlined.
Example:
Maintaining previous/outdated computer system, which uses old technology and
old application programs ;
That are hard to understand/expensive to change/evolve because programs might be disorganized/ documentation might be missing/incomplete/unreliable;
Compatibility issues (typically refer to old programming languages/old database technology); Maintaining but not updating the old system can lead to compatibility / security issues;
It may be difficult to recruit staff/programmers familiar with old languages/operating systems; Database contains inconsistencies/redundancies (eg information systems and no DBMS);
Usually pre-internet, needs interfaces;
Typically large and complex systems/mainframes;
Identify two reasons for releasing a software update. [2]
To patch any vulnerabilities/bugs/cyberspace threats;
To provide improved functionality/new functions/usability/maximize efficiencies;
To generate income for the software company/to innovate and stay ahead of other software companies;
To ensure compatibility with other (updated) technologies;
A new computerized system is being planned for a school library.
(a) Describe one method by which systems requirements can be obtained from the stakeholders. [2]
(b) Outline one reason for providing a prototype for this new system. [2]
Award [2] for one method that is suitable for the given scenario.
Answers may include:
Interviews could be held (with the librarian/stakeholders); To establish the functions required by the system;
Direct observation could be made of the users/students using the present system;
To gain an insight on how the library is being used;
(b) Allows stakeholders to gain an idea of how the system would be/work/look; so they can provide feedback / suggest improvements;
Describe one method of implementation for a new computer system. [2]
Parallel;
old system and new system are operated at the same time until the current system is proved to be successful;
Pilot;
the new (whole) system is operated in one branch/part of the organization before it is rolled out to the whole organization;
Direct;
the new system replaces the old system in an immediate switchover;
Phased;
the new system in phases / stages, gradually replaces parts of the old system until the current system is completely replaced by the new system;
[2]
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using observations to gather information when planning a new system. [4]
Award up to [4 marks max].
Award [1 mark] for the identification of an advantage and [1 mark] for explaining the advantage.
Award [1 mark] for the identification of a disadvantage and [1 mark] for explaining the disadvantage.
Example Advantages:
Can highlight aspects that are not detected in questionnaires/interviews; So the observer can help produce more detailed reports;
Observations may be more reliable than interviews;
Because they can reveal what people actually do instead of what they say they do;
Example disadvantages:
Time consuming / expense;
The observer might need to observe a complete cycle etc which could last a significant amount of time;
If the observations are made by only one person, they may be biased;
Observations may be unreliable;
Because people act differently when they know they are being watched.
(Accept formulations that express similar or plausible ideas.)
Direct observation is a technique used by a system analyst to determine user requirements
for updating a computer system.
(a) Identify one advantage of direct observation. [1]
(b) Identify one disadvantage of direct observation. [1]
(a)
Award [1] for an advantage up to [1 max].
Direct observation is systematic/structured process;
Direct observation allows that current computer system can be studied in its
natural setting;
Direct observation provides a better understanding of the way computer system
is used;
etc.
(b)
Award [1] for a disadvantage up to [1 max].
Direct observation is susceptible to observer bias;
Direct observation also can affect the behavior of users/process being observed;
Direct observation is time consuming;
etc.
Outline one method of collecting information from stakeholders concerning the requirements for a new system. [2]
Award [2 max]. Surveys;
(General) questions distributed to many stakeholders as a written or online document;
Interviews;
(Specific) questions asked of nominated stakeholders in an individual setting;
Direct observations;
Observer watches stakeholders performing their current tasks;
Outline why a prototype would be used to demonstrate the proposed system to the client. [2]
Award [2 max].
To provide feedback on the efficiency or design of the product;
To give an idea or feel of the final product;
To encourage dialogue between the developers and the client;
Clients can identify errors or omissions in the design;
Compare direct changeover with parallel running as a method of implementation. [4]
there is no extra cost;
for running two systems/for extra salaries (no need to increase the number of employees);
benefits can be gained immediately; because new system is better than the old;
if there is a bug in the new system;
there is not a second system to fall back on/could be disastrous for the company;
employees will need to be capable of using the new system immediately; without training/with training in advance but not on the system;
Mark as 2 and 2
