Exam (CH 10)

Name___________________________________

TRUE/FALSE. Write 'T' if the statement is true and 'F' if the statement is false.

1) Once systems analysts, users, and management have a grasp of what kinds of tasks must be 1)
accomplished, hardware options can be considered.

2) Analysts need to oversee the evaluation process personally because they will have the best interests 2)
of the business at heart.

3) Workloads can be simulated and run only on the same systems. 3)

4) One of the criteria used to evaluate the performance of different systems hardware is the idle time 4)
of the central processing unit.

5) One of the main determinants used to decide whether or not to buy a computer is the projected 5)
speed of the system.

6) If the system will be used longer than four to five years, the decision is usually made to lease. 6)

7) The cost of leasing or renting is lower than that of purchase after six years. 7)

8) As systems become smaller and distributed systems become increasingly popular, more businesses 8)
are deciding to purchase equipment.

9) Fortunately, evaluating computer hardware is as straightforward as simply comparing costs and 9)

choosing the lease expensive one.

10) An advantage of creating your own software is the ability to respond to specialized business needs. 10)

11) COTS software should be used when the organization is attempting to gain a competitive 11)
advantage through the leveraged use of information systems.

12) A disadvantage of using an application service provider is that there are concerns over their 12)
financial viability.

13) The Analytic Hierarchy Processing process requires decision makers to make judgments regarding 13)
the relative importance of each criteria.

14) Analytic Hierarchy Processing requires the analyst to quantify the attributes. 14)

15) With Analytic Hierarchy Processing, a higher number is assigned to a lower preference. 15)

16) A recommendation system depends on numeric weights. 16)

17) Costs and benefits of the proposed computer system must always be considered together because 17)
they are interrelated and often interdependent.

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18) The main condition for choosing a forecasting model is the availability of historical data. 18)

19) The simplest way to identify a trend and forecast future trends is by graphical judgment. 19)

20) The simplest way to identify a trend and forecast future trends is by the method of moving 20)
averages.

21) The moving average method is useful because some seasonal, cyclical, or random patterns may be 21)
smoothed.

22) Intangible benefits accrue to the organization from use of the information system. 22)

23) Tangible benefits can actually be measured in terms of dollars, resources, or time saved. 23)

24) A system built solely for its intangible benefits is usually successful. 24)

25) An example of an intangible cost is losing a competitive edge. 25)

26) Cashflow analysis is useful when a business is growing and volume is a key variable in costs. 26)

27) Cashflow analysis examines the direction, size, and pattern of cash flow that is associated with the 27)
proposed information systems.

28) Use present value when the payback period is long, or when the cost of borrowing money is high. 28)

29) Use break-even analysis when the improved tangible benefits form a convincing argument for the 29)
proposed system.

30) We should use the most appropriate analysis rather than multiple analysis. 30)

31) The closer the decision makers' initial identification with and acceptance of the proposed system, 31)
the greater the likelihood of its continued use and acceptance once the system is in place.

32) Executive summaries should list the people who did the study. 32)

33) The cover letter includes only the name of the project and the names of the systems analysis team 33)
members.

34) The title page should include the systems analysis team member names and the date the proposal is 34)
submitted.

35) If the proposal is very short, omit the executive summary since it is superfluous on such a short 35)
document.

36) Any questionnaires, interviews, sampling of archival data, and observation used in the systems 36)
study should be discussed in the section "outline of systems study."

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 37) The outline of the systems study details what the systems analyst has learned about the human and 37)
system needs.

38) In the system alternatives section, the analyst presents two or three alternative solutions. 38)

39) The systems analysts' recommendations section expresses the recommended solution. 39)

40) Once the systems proposal is written, hand the report to everyone in your organization. 40)

41) Column charts are used primarily to show one variable changing over time. 41)

42) Column charts are easier to understand than line graphs. 42)

43) A 100 percent stacked column chart may be organized in alphabetical, numerical, geographical, or 43)
progressive order.

44) A 100 percent stacked column chart is easier to read than pie charts. 44)

45) Pie charts illustrate how 100 percent of a commodity is divided at a particular point in time. 45)

46) In order to overcome anxiety, the presenter should be himself, be prepared, memorize the talk, and 46)
breathe rapidly to keep a good supply of oxygen before his or her presentation.

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.

47) Information needs of users drive the following selection except: 47)
A) systems analysts. B) data storage media.
C) computer hardware. D) any commercial off-the-shelf software.

48) Which order of step is correct for the systems analyst to take in ascertaining hardware and software 48)
needs?
I. An evaluation of available hardware and software is undertaken.
II. All correct computer hardware must be inventoried to discover what is on hand and what is
usable.
III. Current and future system workloads must be estimated.
A) II - III - I B) II - I - III C) I - III - II D) I - II - III

49) The systems analyst needs to know all except: 49)

A) depreciation of equipment. B) type of equipment.
C) physical location of equipment. D) estimated age of equipment.

50) Hardware options can be considered only when __________ has a good grasp of what kinds of 50)
tasks must be accomplished:
A) users B) systems analysts
C) managers D) all of the above

51) What is the technique that allows workloads to be simulated and run on different systems, 51)
including those already used in the organization?
A) evaluation B) comparison C) benchmarking D) simulation

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52) Which is not a criteria that systems analysts and users should use to evaluate performance of 52)
different systems hardware?
A) time required for average transactions B) idle time of the central processing unit
C) quality of memory provided D) total volume capacity of the system

53) Which is not the most influential factor to consider in deciding which option is best for obtaining 53)
computer hardware for a particular installation?
A) initial versus long-term costs
B) whether the business desires full control of computer equipment
C) whether the business desires efficiency for the computer equipment
D) whether the business can afford to tie up capital in computer equipment

54) One of the main determinants of whether to buy equipment is: 54)
A) the processing speed. B) the capacity for expansion.
C) the projected life of the system. D) the cost.

55) Which is not included as support services available to a business from a vendor? 55)
A) offsite group seminars for users
B) specified response time in case of emergency equipment breakdowns
C) routine and preventive maintenance of hardware
D) loan of equipment in the event that software must be permanently replaced

56) Which of the following is not a disadvantage of using an application service provider? 56)
A) Loss of potential strategic advantage.
B) Loss of control of data systems.
C) Security, confidentiality, and privacy concerns.
D) Ongoing maintenance.

57) Which is not a primary category on which to grade software? 57)

A) performance effectiveness
B) ease of use
C) manufacturer support
D) flexibility
E) free updates

58) Training the neural net involves: 58)

A) comparing two alternatives at the same time.
B) letting software get feedback on the decisions, observing what was involved in successful
decisions.
C) collaborative filtering.
D) performing sensitivity analysis.

59) Which is not a human component of decision making when using neural nets? 59)
A) knowledge acquisition B) problem identification
C) pairwise comparison D) sensitivity analysis

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60) Which is not an example of intangible benefits? 60)
A) increasing processing speed
B) improving the decision-making process
C) maintaining a good business image
D) becoming more competitive in customer service
E) enhancing accuracy

61) The main condition for choosing a forecasting model is: 61)
A) the graphs that already exist.
B) the availability of historical data.
C) the relationships that are apparent in the data.
D) the amount of numerical data that may be created for analysis.

62) The simplest way to identify a trend and forecast future trends is: 62)
A) by doing the method of least squares.
B) by using the moving averages method.
C) by using an intangible cost benefit analysis
D) by graphing and estimating an extension of the curve.

63) The disadvantage of using a graphical judgment is: 63)

A) it may represent a too simplistic view of the data.
B) the difficulty extrapolating exponential data to any degree of accuracy.
C) the confusion when the graphs are cyclical.
D) that the curve may depend too much on individual judgment.

64) The objective in estimating a trend using the least squares method is: 64)
A) to calculate the squares that fit under the curve for linear analysis.
B) to show the trend when random patterns occur.
C) to smooth out any cyclical variations in the data.
D) to find the best fitting line.

65) The method that is used when some seasonal, cyclical, or random pattern may be smoothed out is: 65)
A) graphical analysis. B) intangible cost benefit analysis.
C) moving averages. D) least squares.

66) One of the tangible benefits is: 66)

A) improving the decision-making process. B) enhancing accuracy.
C) increase in the speed of processing. D) maintaining a good business image.

67) Intangible benefits include: 67)

A) access to otherwise inaccessible information.
B) enhancing accuracy.
C) access to information on a more timely basis than was possible before.
D) decreases in the amount of employee time needed to complete specific tasks.

68) Tangible costs include: 68)

A) ineffective decision making due to untimely or inaccurate information.
B) declining company image due to increases customer dissatisfaction.
C) the cost of losing a competitive edge.
D) the cost of system analysts' time.

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69) Which is not an intangible cost? 69)
A) cost of systems analysts' time
B) losing a competitive edge
C) declining company image due to increased customer dissatisfaction
D) losing the reputation for being first with an innovation

70) Which is not a technique for comparing the costs and benefits of the proposed system? 70)
A) break-even analysis
B) payback
C) post-predictive value
D) present value
E) cashflow analysis

71) The method used to compare costs and benefits when a business is growing and volume is a key 71)
variable in costs is:
A) cashflow B) present value
C) break-even analysis D) payback

72) The method that compares today's costs with future costs and today's benefits with future benefits 72)
is:
A) payback B) break-even analysis
C) cashflow analysis D) present value

73) When the project is expensive relative to the size of the company, which analysis should be used? 73)
A) payback B) break-even C) present value D) cashflow

74) Which is the correct order for the contents of the systems proposal? 74)
I. table of contents
II. summary
III. systems analysts' recommendations
IV. detailed results of systems study
A) I - III - IV - II
B) I - III - II - IV
C) III - I - IV - II
D) III - I - II - IV
E) I - IV - III - II

75) The system proposal appendices do not include: 75)

A) correspondence. B) alternatives.
C) summary of phases. D) assorted documentation.

76) What provides the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the system proposal? 76)
A) summary B) executive summary
C) outline of systems study D) systems alternatives

77) What system proposal document provides information about all of the methods used in the study? 77)
A) outline of systems study B) executive summary
C) detailed results of systems study D) summary

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78) The outline of the systems study section doesn't include a discussion of: 78)
A) observations used in the systems study.
B) questionnaires.
C) sampling of archival data.
D) interviews.
E) conclusions.

79) Which system proposal document mirrors the content of the executive summary, giving objectives 79)
and the recommended solution?
A) systems analysts' recommendations B) proposal summary
C) detailed results of systems study D) appendices

80) Which section of the system proposal includes information that the systems analyst feels may be of 80)
interest to specific individuals?
A) appendices B) executive summary
C) systems analysts' recommendations D) detailed results of systems study

81) Which of the following is not used to capture and communicate the basics of the system proposal? 81)
A) graphs B) words C) metaphor D) tables

82) Which is not a guideline for tables in the proposal? 82)

A) Try to fit the entire table vertically.
B) Use a boxed table if room permits.
C) Number and title the table at the top of the page.
D) Use one row for a title.
E) Use footnotes to explain detailed table information.

83) Which guideline isn't correct for including effective graphs in a proposal? 83)
A) Choose a style that communicates the intended meaning.
B) Collect graphs together in the appendices.
C) Include a key to indicate different colored lines, shaded bars, or crosshatched areas.
D) Give the graph a sequential figure number.
E) Label each axis, and any lines, columns, bars, or pieces of the pie of the graph.

84) Which graph is used primarily to show change over time? 84)
A) column chart B) line graph C) bar chart D) pie chart

85) Which graph is used to compare different variables at a particular point in time? 85)
A) line graph B) bar chart C) pie chart D) column chart

86) Which graph is used to show one or more variables within certain classes or categories during a 86)
specific time period?
A) line graph B) bar chart C) pie chart D) column chart

87) Which graph is the easiest to read for showing how 100 percent of a commodity is divided at a 87)
particular point in time?
A) Column chart B) 100 percent stacked column chart
C) 100 percent divided bar chart D) Pie chart

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 88) Which column chart is useful in emphasizing years that show a loss, or in pointing out the year in 88)
which the company intends to break even?
A) 100 percent stacked column chart
B) simple column chart
C) deviation column chart
D) a column chart with more than one variable

89) Which of the following is not a technique for overcoming speaking anxiety? 89)
A) Memorize your talk ahead of time. B) Be prepared.
C) Speak naturally. D) Be yourself.

SHORT ANSWER. Write the word or phrase that best completes each statement or answers the question.

90) Some of the hardware __________ involve expanding or recycling current hardware, so it 90)
is important to know what is on hand.

91) Through interviewing, questionnaires, and research of __________ data, the systems 91)
analyst will know the number of people available for data processing.

92) Other events, such as superior __________ innovations, may dictate hardware replacement 92)
if the business wants to maintain its competitive edge.

93) It is important to be clear about required and desired __________ before getting too 93)
wrapped up in vendors' claims during demonstrations.

94) The three main options for acquisition of computer hardware include buying, __________, 94)
or renting.

95) Consider using __________ software when you can easily integrate the applications or 95)
packages into existing or planned systems.

96) Vendors will not guarantee their packaged software if used in conjunction with faulty 96)
__________.

97) Manufacturer support includes hotlines, newsletters, and __________. 97)

98) __________ are rule-based reasoning systems developed around an expert in the field. 98)

99) __________ are when software gets feedback on decisions, observing what was involved in 99)
successful decisions.

100) The process that allows decision makers to reduce the number of alternatives by ranking or 100)
counting is called __________.

101) __________ allow users to receive news from the Internet, scrolling across the screen like a 101)
stock ticker.

102) The method of moving averages is useful because some __________, cyclical, or random 102)
patterns may be smoothed.

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103) __________ benefits are advantages measurable in dollars that accrue to the organization 103)
through use of the information system.

104) One disadvantage of __________ analysis is that benefits are assumed to remain the same, 104)
regardless of which system is in place.

105) __________ analysis examines the direction, size, and pattern of cash flow that is associated 105)
with the proposed information system.

106) Present value analysis helps the systems analyst to present to business decision makers the 106)
time value of the __________ in the information system as well as the cash flow.

107) Use __________ analysis if the project needs to be justified in terms of cost, not benefits. 107)

108) Use __________ when the improved tangible benefits form a convincing argument for the 108)
proposed system.

109) Use __________ analysis when the project is expensive relative to the size of the company. 109)

110) Use present value when the __________ period is long, or when the cost of borrowing 110)
money is high.

111) A cover letter to management and the IT __________ should accompany the systems 111)
proposal.

112) The outline of the systems study provides information about all the __________ used in the 112)
study.

113) The __________ summary is a brief statement that mirrors the content of the executive 113)
summary.

114) The proposal summary allows the analyst to stress the project's importance and 114)
__________ along with the value of the recommendation.

115) __________ charts can depict a comparison between two or more variables over time. 115)

116) A __________ column chart is useful in emphasizing years that show a loss. 116)

117) __________ are similar to column charts and are used to show variables, or variables 117)
within certain classes or categories, during a specific time period.

118) A __________ is used to show how 100 percent of a commodity is divided at a particular 118)
point in time.

119) One of the best ways to gauge the __________ of presentations is by observing many 119)
different organizational meetings prior to the systems proposal presentation.

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Answer Key
Testname: UNTITLED1

1) TRUE
2) TRUE
3) FALSE
4) TRUE
5) FALSE
6) FALSE
7) FALSE
8) TRUE
9) FALSE
10) TRUE
11) FALSE
12) TRUE
13) TRUE
14) FALSE
15) FALSE
16) FALSE
17) TRUE
18) TRUE
19) TRUE
20) FALSE
21) TRUE
22) FALSE
23) TRUE
24) FALSE
25) TRUE
26) FALSE
27) TRUE
28) TRUE
29) FALSE
30) FALSE
31) TRUE
32) FALSE
33) FALSE
34) TRUE
35) FALSE
36) TRUE
37) FALSE
38) TRUE
39) TRUE
40) FALSE
41) FALSE
42) TRUE
43) FALSE
44) FALSE
45) TRUE
46) FALSE
47) A
48) A
49) A
50) D
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Answer Key
Testname: UNTITLED1

51) C
52) C
53) C
54) C
55) D
56) D
57) E
58) B
59) C
60) A
61) B
62) D
63) D
64) D
65) C
66) C
67) B
68) D
69) A
70) C
71) C
72) D
73) D
74) E
75) B
76) B
77) A
78) E
79) B
80) A
81) C
82) D
83) B
84) B
85) D
86) B
87) D
88) C
89) A
90) options
91) archival
92) technological
93) functions
94) leasing
95) COTS
96) hardware
97) Web sites
98) Expert systems
99) Neural nets
100) collaborative filtering
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Answer Key
Testname: UNTITLED1

101) Push technologies

102) seasonal
103) Tangible
104) break-even
105) Cashflow
106) investment
107) break-even
108) payback
109) cashflow
110) payback
111) task force
112) methods
113) proposal
114) feasibility
115) Column
116) deviation
117) Bar charts
118) pie chart
119) formality

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