Information Systems Questions and Answers
1. A) Define an "Information System". Briefly explain six types of
Information Systems.
An Information System (IS) is a structured setup of people, hardware, software, data, and
processes that work together to collect, process, store, and distribute information to support
decision-making and operations in an organization.
Six Types of Information Systems:
1. Transaction Processing Systems (TPS) – Handle daily business transactions like payroll
and order processing.
2. Management Information Systems (MIS) – Provide summarized reports for managerial
decision-making.
3. Decision Support Systems (DSS) – Help in complex decision-making using data
analysis techniques.
4. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems – Integrate business functions into a
unified system.
5. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems – Manage customer interactions
and sales processes.
6. Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) – Store and distribute knowledge for better
decision-making.
1. B) Describe the five Key Information System Development players.
1. Project Sponsor – The person or group that initiates and funds the project.
2. Users – Individuals who interact with and utilize the system in their work.
3. Technical Specialists – Include database administrators, programmers, and network
engineers.
4. Managers – Oversee the project and ensure it aligns with business goals.
5. Vendors and Consultants – Provide external expertise, software, or support services.
1. C) Define Information Technology.
Information Technology (IT) refers to the use of computers, networks, software, and other
digital tools to store, process, and communicate information efficiently.
2. A) State the two primary issues involved in the Planning phase of
system development.
1. Project Initiation – Involves preparing a system request and conducting a feasibility
study.
2. Setting Up the Project – Involves creating a project plan, defining tasks, and assigning
responsibilities.
2. B) Describe the principal steps in the analysis phase. What are some
major deliverables?
Steps in the Analysis Phase:
1. Determine Analysis Strategy – Study the existing system and identify improvement
areas.
2. Collect and Analyze Requirements – Gather user needs and develop models to
represent them.
3. Prepare and Present System Proposal – Summarize findings and seek project approval.
Major Deliverables:
• System Proposal Document
• Requirement Specification
• Business Process Models
2. C) Give six skills required for the career of a System Analyst.
1. Technical Knowledge – Understanding databases, networking, and programming.
2. Problem-Solving Skills – Ability to analyze issues and propose solutions.
3. Business Knowledge – Understanding business processes and objectives.
4. Interpersonal Skills – Effective communication with stakeholders.
5. Flexibility & Adaptability – Adjusting to changing technology and business needs.
6. Project Management Skills – Ability to plan, execute, and oversee system development
projects.
3. A) Explain the three aspects of feasibility analysis.
1. Technical Feasibility – Assesses whether the technology needed for the project is
available and compatible.
2. Economic Feasibility – Determines if the project is financially viable and beneficial.
3. Organizational Feasibility – Evaluates whether the system aligns with business needs
and whether users will adopt it.
3. B) List the elements of a System Request.
1. Project Sponsor
2. Business Need
3. Business Requirements
4. Business Value
5. Special Issues or Constraints
3. C) What is the difference between intangible value and tangible
value? Give three examples of each.
Tangible Value:
Benefits that can be measured in monetary terms.
Examples:
1. Increased sales revenue
2. Reduced operational costs
3. Improved production efficiency
Intangible Value:
Benefits that cannot be directly measured in money.
Examples:
1. Improved customer satisfaction
2. Better brand reputation
3. Increased employee morale
4. A) Compare and contrast Gantt and PERT charts.
• Gantt Chart: A bar chart showing tasks over time. Good for scheduling and tracking
project progress.
• PERT Chart: A network diagram showing task dependencies and critical paths for
project completion.
4. B) What is Computer-Assisted Software Engineering (CASE) tools?
What is its purpose?
CASE tools are software applications that automate the development and documentation of
software systems. Their purpose is to enhance productivity, improve accuracy, and streamline
system design.
4. C) What is "Timeboxing"?
Timeboxing is a project management technique where a fixed time period is allocated to a task or
project phase, ensuring that work is completed within a set deadline.
5. A) Briefly describe Iterative Development and System Prototyping
RAD approaches.
• Iterative Development: Develops a system in small versions, refining based on
feedback.
• System Prototyping: Builds a working model early for users to interact with and provide
feedback.
5. B) List the factors that influence the choice of selecting a project
methodology.
1. User Requirements Clarity
2. Technology Familiarity
3. System Complexity
5. C) Table Comparing Waterfall vs. Agile Development Methodologies
Metric Waterfall Methodology Agile Development
User Requirements Fixed at the beginning Evolving, iterative
Technology Well-known Can adapt to changes
System Suitable for complex, structured Works best in flexible
Complexity projects environments
6. A) Distinguish between business, user, and functional requirements.
1. Business Requirements: Define the goals of the system from a business perspective.
2. User Requirements: Specify what users need the system to do.
3. Functional Requirements: Describe specific functionalities and capabilities the system
must have.
6. B) Describe the elements of a use case diagram and show their
graphical symbol.
Elements of a Use Case Diagram:
1. Actors – Represent users or external systems interacting with the system. (Symbol: Stick
figure)
2. Use Cases – Actions or processes the system performs. (Symbol: Oval)
3. Relationships – Define interactions between actors and use cases. (Symbol: Line)
4. System Boundary – Represents the system scope. (Symbol: Rectangle enclosing use
cases)
6. C) List six requirement elicitation techniques.
1. Interviews – Direct discussions with users and stakeholders.
2. Questionnaires – Surveys to collect feedback from multiple respondents.
3. Joint Application Development (JAD) Sessions – Workshops with users and analysts.
4. Document Analysis – Reviewing existing documents to understand system needs.
5. Observation – Watching users perform tasks to identify requirements.
6. Prototyping – Developing an early model for user feedback.
