1. For what reasons are information systems project begun? Who are the initiators?
- To improve customer service
- For better information and decision
- To be more competitive advantage
- For better control
- To increase productivity
- To reduce costs
- For better communication
- initiators - Department managers, senior executives, system analyst, owner etc
2. For each of the reason listed in Ql, describe how automation will improve the business processes or deal with the problem identified.
Reasons for initiating Information Systems Projects
a) Greater processing speed
- Using the computer's inherent ability to calculate, sort and retrieve data and information when greater speed than.that of people doing the same tasks is desired.
b)Increased volume
- Providing the capacity to process a greater amount of activity perhaps to take advantage of new business opportunities. Often a result of growth that causes business to exceed the capabilities and procedures underlying the achievements to date.
c) Faster information retrieval
- Locating and retrieving information from storage. Conducting complex searches.
d) Greater accuracy and improved consistency
- Carrying out computing steps, including arithmetic, correctly and in the dame way each time.
e) Better security
- Safeguarding sensitive and important data in a form that is accessible only to authorized personnel
f) Enhanced communication
- Speeding the flow of information and messages between remote locations as well as within offices. Includes the transmission of documents withing offices.
g) Cost monitoring
- Tracking the cost of labor, goods and facilities to determine how actual costs compare with expectations
h) Improve arrangements with suppliers
- Changing the pricing, services or delivery arrangement or relationship between suppliers and the organization to benefit the firm.
3. What is the purpose of conducting a preliminary investigation? What outcome is expected? Who carries out this investigation? On basis it is initiated?
Purpose
- The purpose of preliminary study is to evaluate project request feasibility. The 3 feasibility tests are: operational, technical feasibility and economic feasibility.
Outcomes
- If all the 3 tests pass, the project proposal will be accepted and the project will be pursued. Otherwise, it is not feasible, the requests for the project will not pursue.
Who
- System analysts
Based on what basis
- The information system are typically motivated by one of the 3 general objectives:
a. Solve a problem e.g. to reduce excessive data entry errors by eliminating manual data entry sale details
b. To improve business performance or to be more competitive advantage e.g. offering online features
c. Response to be directive e.g. government policies change
4. Should users be involved throughout the SDLC? Can you think of some specific problems or difficulties that might happen if users are not involved? Explain your answers.
- Yes, users should be involved throughout the SDLC
- This is because users have the most intimate knowledge of their own jobs. Therefore, they are the people best qualified to tell the system analysts what will work and what wont work in a new system.
-Additionally, a user who had help to design the new system will be more inclined to be satisfied with it later, regardless of its inherent quality or lack thereof.
Some of the expected problems or difficulties
- The system design will not meet the user requirements because the SA has no way to get adequate information from the users without going tbrough interviews, questionnaires and observations. Prototyping will not happen
- The users will.not have the confidence to use the new system because they are afraid they have not been expose/unfamiliar with the new system.
- The users will reject or oppose the new system.
- SA will get the wrong information from going through the outdated documents.
- Softare crisis will happen: Late system, Over-budget system, Poor-quality system, Application backlogs, Invisible backlogs
5. WRF limited intends to upgrade its computer system to improve speed and clarity of information. Each member of staff will have a PC linked to a local area network (LAN). Each PC will run Windows XP and a word processor and spreadsheet on its hard disk. The network will be used for centralized backup, access to central database and storage of data files. The LAN will also be used for communication within the office by email. The system analysts in the charge of the project thinks that users will require a Pentium IV processor running at 1 gigabytes of RAM. The network will incorporate a central file server. He is pleased that the system will cost only RM3,000 per user. The systems analysts is on a fixed term contract which terminates when the system installation is complete.
Required:
a) Briefly explain the concept of system development life cycle (SDLC)
System planning
- Initiate system request
- Briefly review existing system
- Define new system scope, nature, feasibility
System analysis
- Obtain details of current requirements such as data volumes, processing cycles, and timescales.
- Identify current problems and restrictions
- Define new system requirement, expectation and opportunity
- Consider why current methods are used and identify better alternatives
System design
- Determine what inputs, processing and storage facilities are necessary to produce the output
- Matters such as program design, file design, security need to be considered
System implementation
- Write or acquire software, test it, convert files, install hardware and start running the new system
System operation, support, security
- Ensure the new system meets current objectives and that it continues to do so
b) Explain why the SDLC would be preferred to the situation outlined above.
WRF should follow this approach:
- A system investigation is needed so that account is taken of the specific requirements of users. Since currently user are not being consulted and this is regrettable since they seem to be enthusiastic about the change and would no doubt have a good deal to contribute to the specification of an ideal system for their needs.
- More system analysis is required to determine what are the problems with the existing system. The upgrade is intended to improve the speed and clarity of information, but we have no details of how the design of the proposed new system will do this.
- Take into account of future need of the business
- The recommended system if reckoned to cost about RM3,000 per user. However, not being told about what the figure include: we need a detailed breakdown of the initial costs and also of ongoing costs over the life of the proposed systems.
- Arrangement need to be made for the implementation of the system.
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