Accounting Information Systems, 11e (Bodnar/Hopwood)
Chapter 11 Systems Planning, Analysis, and Design
1) The implementation stage of a systems development project can be minimized when it
involves an upgrade to an existing system.
2) Systems analysis is the first step in the systems development life cycle.
3) The role played by the systems developer is much like that of a doctor with regard to a patient.
4) The steering committee needs to approach systems development from a “long-run” view.
5) Subsidiary to tactical systems development objectives are the strategic objectives.
6) Key success factors are characteristics of an organization that distinguishes it from
competitors.
7) The systems development strategic plan should identify specific areas to be given the highest
priority.
8) One objective of a systems survey is to find ways to automate tasks that have been performed
9) Customers should be viewed as vital components of a system and should be included in any
analysis.
10) A good approach to use with a manager when performing an information needs analysis is to
ask the manager, “What kind of problems do you have here?”
11) Information requirements of a production control system might include quality control
specifications.
12) A large portion of the systems analyst’s job is to collect and organize facts.
13) A closed-ended questionnaire is the same as a depth interview.
14) Structured systems analysis begins with computer program code and then, through a number
of steps each decreasing in detail, ends with a general description of a particular system.
15) Document and analytic flowcharts are optional tools in systems analysis.
16) Determining access methods involves defining primary and secondary access keys.
17) The systems development life cycle, including the design phase, is a finite process
terminating in a completed system.
18) Systems design problems are much like other problems in life because there is no single
solution which perfectly solves the problem.
19) As an organization increases in its complexity and the number of products manufactured or
sold, it becomes easier to find an appropriate turnkey software system that adequately meets the
organization’s needs.
20) Management is typically responsible for selecting the best major system design from among
several design alternatives.
21) The document that includes everything necessary to actually implement the design project is
the detailed design proposal.
22) The use of prepackaged business process blueprints is seldom used in system design
specifications or proposals.
23) It is important to design system reports that have appropriate titles and captions.
24) Regarding general systems design considerations, implementing adequate controls is too
often emphasized.
25) Systems design is a creative activity and can be viewed somewhat as an art.
26) File analysis sheets show the relationships between the various kinds of files.
27) One type of business process blueprint is CASE.
28) Computer professionals love the freedom of designing and building a new system from the
ground up.
29) A dedicated software package is intended for a large and diverse number of users.
30) A good question to ask when evaluating “canned” software is “Are source programs
supplied?”
31) Most deficiencies in a systems plan become obvious during the planning and analysis phases
of the systems development life cycle.
32) Iterative or agile approaches to systems development require constant communication and
require all phases of the systems life cycle to be carried on simultaneously.
33) The whole concept of service-oriented architectures relies on small independent pieces of
software called services.
34) RAD is an iterative development technique using prototype designs.
35) RUP is an iterative development technique using prototype designs.
36) RUP is a development framework involving 4 phases to help with iterative approaches to
systems development.
37) Object-oriented design and analysis relies on the identification of services and their
attributes.
38) Object-oriented design focuses on defining objects and their actions as well as the data they
use and how they collaborate with each other.
39) In object-oriented design, objects are said to possess attributes, and attributes possess
methods.
40) In object-oriented design, objects possess methods and attributes.
41) Ruby and Python are pure, native object-oriented languages.
42) UML diagrams are used to document objects and classes and how they communicate with
each other.
43) UML diagrams are ideal for OO development; however, they are difficult to use to create
source code.
44) Model driven architecture is the main architecture used in traditional systems design
approaches.
45) BPEL is an executable computer language that facilitates interactions between business
processes and Web services.
46) OASIS stands for Organization for the Assessment of Structured Iterative Standards.
47) REA stands for Resources, Enterprise, and Agents.
48) In a REA model, for each event there are two general categories of related attributes.
49) It is crucial that all major systems development efforts have the support of ________
________.
50) General systems development objectives include the overall ________ objectives relating to
the company’s long-run planning.
51) Prioritizing systems development projects should be done in the same way as in ________
________.
52) A small change in an area of weakness that may result in major improvements is called a(n)
________.
53) ________ requirements for one subsystem will, in turn, specify ________ requirements for
another subsystem.
54) Warnier-Orr methodology uses the basic constructs of sequence, ________, and ________.
55) Structured systems analysis and structured systems design are very ________ processes.
56) Adding error conditions and data file access to structured English results in documentation
that is sometimes referred to as ________.
57) The primary rule in developing design specifications is that the designer should work from
________ to ________.
58) One area in which the accountant can play a critical role while working on a design team is
implementing adequate ________.
59) Two special problems that relate to information systems design are problems involving
________ and ________ design.
60) ________ design focuses on producing documents that provide effective interfaces between
managers and the information system.
61) A(n) ________ ________ diagram shows the various data fields within a record.
62) The decision as to whether the computer software is to be built from scratch or purchased
should be made at the end of the ________ phase.
63) Hardware that is chosen for use in a system design implementation should be ________
compatible for future uses.
64) The four enterprise architectural domains are ________, ________, ________, and
________.
65) Another name for the traditional approach to the systems development life cycle is the
________ method.
66) Each domain within the enterprise architecture is subject to ________, ________, ________,
and ________ phases.
67) Agile or ________ approaches to systems development involve carrying on all phases of the
life cycle simultaneously.
68) Service-oriented architecture has greatly facilitated working in smaller projects, since the
whole concept of SOA relies on small independent pieces of software called ________.
69) RUP development framework has four phases called the ________, ________, ________,
and ________ phases.
70) Milestones corresponding to ________ of each phase must be achieved before it is accepted
by the management.
71) Object-oriented approach focuses on defining ________.
72) In OO, objects are said to possess ________ and ________.
73) ________ are the things objects do and ________ are the data related to objects.
74) ________ diagrams are used to document objects and how they communicate in OO design.
75) ________ ________ architecture was created by OMG to standardize and refine the process
of object-oriented design by developing a model in UML and then automatically generating the
software code from the design.
76) OO analysis produces a(n) ________ model of what the system is functionally required to
do.
77) OO analysis produces a conceptual model which is typically represented in UML by
________, ________, and ________ diagrams.
78) In a pure REA system, journals, ledgers, and accounts can be generated as reports or
________ from the basic recorded data.
79) From a cost standpoint, the phase of systems development in which more money is spent
than any other area is
A) systems analysis.
B) systems design.
C) systems implementation.
D) systems planning.
80) From a cost standpoint, the phase of systems development in which major errors can become
quite costly in later stages of development is
A) systems analysis.
B) systems design.
C) systems implementation.
D) systems planning.
81) Which of the following is not a goal of developing an overall systems plan and strategy?
A) Duplication and wasted effort will be minimized.
B) The systems analysis phase will be minimized in favor of design and implementation when
budget constraints are present.
C) Systems development in the organization will be consistent with the overall strategic plan of
the organization.
D) Resources will be targeted to the subsystems where the needs are greatest.
82) A system planning and feasibility analysis involves several phases and operates in a “top-
down” fashion. This type of analysis is composed of how many phases?
A) Three
B) Five
C) Six
D) Seven
83) Which of the following planning activities is performed after the other activities?
A) Deciding that all system changes must be completed within five years
B) Naming the individuals to the systems analysis and design team
C) Appointing a steering committee
D) Deciding that a reliable file backup system is more important than new factory workstations
84) The purpose of a systems development steering committee is to
A) inquire of top management as to the problems encountered with current systems.
B) oversee the work of the systems analysts.
C) focus on the overall current and future information needs of the company.
D) provide a positive image of the development of new systems and to keep criticism within the
organization to a minimum.
85) The main responsibility of the systems development steering committee is
A) overall planning and control of the systems development effort within the organization.
B) to oversee the work of systems analysts.
C) to become involved in the details of specific development projects.
D) to provide a positive image of the establishment of systems development.
86) A major output of a systems development steering committee or the individual in charge of
systems development is a written document outlining short- and long-term goals relating to the
company’s development effort. This document is called
A) “Key Systems Development Success Factors.”
B) “The Systems Development Life Cycle.”
C) “Objectives of Systems Analysis.”
D) “Strategic Systems Plan.”
87) Which of the following describes the point at which systems project costs should be
quantified?
A) Identifying and prioritizing potential projects for systems development
B) Developing a strategic information systems plan
C) Assembling the project team
D) Preparing the systems proposal
88) Which of the following is often the key motivation for the system developers to establish
good relationships with current and future users of the system?
A) The users’ expertise is essential to designing the technical specifications of the new system.
B) The success or failure of the new system will depend heavily on the support of the eventual
users.
C) Users often are responsible for the subsequent evaluation of the developers.
D) Users often determine budgets and timetables for systems projects.
89) The company should inform users that a new system is being developed
A) as late as possible, to eliminate the possibility that some employees might oppose the new
system.
B) after the design plan is complete, to avoid employee interference and confusion.
C) as soon as possible, to maximize user acceptance of the new system.
D) as soon as the users seem ready to accept the new system.
90) Which of the following would be an appropriate source of information to obtain during the
survey of the current system?
A) Professional journals and industry publications
B) Minutes of board meetings, financial statements, and charts of accounts
C) Organization charts, job descriptions, and policy manuals
D) All of these answers are correct.
91) An analysis of the systems survey contains a
A) summary of the system’s strengths and weaknesses.
B) cost comparison of different software packages.
C) review of information needs.
D) listing of input requirements.
92) Any bottlenecks in a company’s current operations would most likely be discovered
A) when the technical specifications of a system are being decided.
B) when the information obtained during the system survey is analyzed.
C) during the document review.
D) None of these answers is correct.
93) The second major phase of systems analysis is information needs analysis. This phase
A) focuses on the general information needs of particular applications.
B) concentrates on the report formats that the new systems will output.
C) is concerned with specific managerial decisions and their inputs.
D) None of these answers is correct.
94) Which of the following is most relevant in gaining an understanding of a manager’s decisions
and information needs?
A) Information about the major problems the manager normally deals with
B) Knowledge about the manager’s self-assessment criteria
C) Details concerning the manager’s job responsibilities
D) Knowledge of the criteria used to evaluate the manager’s job performance
95) The third phase of systems analysis results in decisions regarding
A) input requirements for the new system.
B) output requirements for the new system.
C) both input and output requirements for the new system.
D) priorities for ranking the different subsystems projects, but not specific system requirements.
96) Which of the following elements is contained in the systems analysis report?
A) Specific timetables for project completion
B) Descriptions of any overall problems in the specific subsystem being studied
C) A summary of the current system’s strengths and weaknesses
D) A systems proposal to serve as the framework for the project
97) The Warnier-Orr methodology is a technique used for
A) flowcharting.
B) document review.
C) evaluating work distributions.
D) analyzing information flows.
98) A formal technique used by the systems analyst to summarize related data inputs and outputs
is
A) matrix analysis.
B) work measurement.
C) flowcharting.
D) decision analysis.
99) One benefit of using the Warnier-Orr methodology as a fact-gathering technique is that it
A) is easy to understand and use.
B) can be used to document any type of system.
C) forces a top-down, structured approach to analysis.
D) All of these answers are correct.
100) In the Warnier-Orr methodology, how would the repetitions associated with the input of
batches of customer checks be shown?
A) Use a bracket with the number 2.
B) Use the subscript (n).
C) Use 2 brackets.
D) Use the subscript (2).
101) At the first level of structured systems analysis, documentation begins with
A) matrix analysis.
B) an analytic flowchart.
C) a logical flow diagram.
D) functional analysis.
102) A flowchart differs from a logical flow diagram because it
A) provides a physical description of the system.
B) provides a logical description of the system.
C) does not specify certain input/output devices.
D) does not specify certain storage devices.
103) In structured systems analysis, the data dictionary describes
A) data structure.
B) physical layout.
C) data structure and physical layout.
D) data structure and data elements.
104) A special language describing processing logic that uses key words such as IF, THEN,
ELSE IF, and SO is called
A) Warnier-Orr English.
B) structured English.
C) analytic flowchart notation.
D) structured assembler.
105) When conducting structured systems analysis of a particular system, defining the
processing logic
A) should always be done using structured English.
B) is the same thing as writing actual program code.
C) may be done with decision trees or decision diagrams.
D) is useful only to technical systems personnel.
106) Systems design follows the “top-down approach.” This means
A) going from the general to the specific.
B) beginning with the needs and desires of top management and then considering other users’
needs down to the “factory-floor” level.
C) going from specific program code to general descriptions of the system.
D) starting with a central computer system and then implementing systems for individual
departments.
107) Certain turnkey software packages can sometimes meet the specific needs of an individual
situation with minimal design work. Which of the following companies would least likely be
able to use a turnkey system?
A) A doctor’s office
B) An attorney
C) A petroleum refining company
D) A construction company
108) Which of the following design alternatives is the most difficult to evaluate?
A) Deciding whether reports should be generated automatically or on-demand
B) Deciding whether processing should be in batch mode or online
C) Deciding whether the alternatives meet all major objectives for the system
D) Deciding whether existing personnel can manage the system
109) Once system design alternatives have been laid out and documented, they must be
evaluated. The primary criteria for selecting the alternative for implementation purposes should
be
A) cost versus benefits.
B) simplicity versus complexity.
C) user acceptance of the alternative.
D) feasibility.
110) In the preparation of design specifications, which of the following activities is undertaken
after all of the others have been completed?
A) Database design
B) Specifying inputs
C) Specifying processing steps
D) Designing management reports
111) A design proposal explains that the system will include both manual and computer
procedures for reconciling batch totals. This explanation
A) shows internal control effectiveness exists at the cost of some efficiency.
B) is not accurate.
C) should not be included in the design proposal.
D) should be included in both the systems analysis report and the design proposal.
112) Items that should be provided in any detailed design proposal are
A) the resumes and qualifications of systems analysts and designers.
B) discussions of similar systems that competitors have implemented.
C) specific volume and cost information.
D) critiques of problems encountered with the prior (or existing) system.
113) The most important consideration for output design is
A) relevance.
B) integration.
C) uniformity.
D) cost-effectiveness.
114) Which of the following design considerations applies to report or document outputs?
A) Relevance
B) Integration
C) Uniformity
D) Accuracy
115) The design criterion concerned with avoiding the collection and maintenance of the same
data items in more than one place in the organization is
A) uniformity.
B) flexibility.
C) integration.
D) standardization.
116) The design criterion concerned with using the same format and name for data items used in
more than one place is
A) uniformity.
B) flexibility.
C) integration.
D) standardization.
117) Probably the most difficult design consideration in designing the data input system is
A) uniformity.
B) accuracy.
C) integration.
D) organization.
118) Which of the following database design techniques shows the interrelationships between
various kinds of records?
A) Data structure diagrams
B) Record layouts
C) File-related matrices
D) File analysis sheets