119) Which of the following database design techniques shows the interrelationships between
files, their contents, and their uses?
A) Data structure diagrams
B) Record layouts
C) File-related matrices
D) File analysis sheets
120) A file-related matrix reveals that a file’s data item A is used in six different reports, while
data item B in the same file is not used in any report. The systems designer should consider
A) using both data items A and B.
B) deleting data item B and using only data item A.
C) using neither data item A nor B.
D) deleting data item A and using only data item B.
121) Prepackaged design systems have both advantages and disadvantages in assisting the
designer with the systems development cycle. A disadvantage of such prepackaged design
methodologies is that they do not
A) specify desired outputs.
B) provide assistance in structuring a particular problem.
C) adequately deal with the problem of response time.
D) Answers A and C are correct.
122) A company should decide whether to develop software independently or purchase software
A) when preparing the detailed design proposal.
B) at the end of systems analysis.
C) at the end of systems planning.
D) when preparing design specifications.
123) Which of the following is not an advantage of using purchased or “canned” software
packages?
A) They are less expensive.
B) They seldom meet all of a company’s needs precisely.
C) They are already debugged.
D) The company can “test drive” the product before making a substantial investment.
124) When evaluating purchased software it is often helpful to use a decision table format to
consider various issues and potential problems with the software. A question (or questions) to be
asked in a decision table which might uncover any “skeletons in the closet” regarding a software
package is
A) “How many other installations that are ‘second-reference organizations’ have used the
software, and for how long?”
B) “How stable is the software vendor?”
C) “How closely does the software fit the needs of the company?“
D) “How flexible is the software?”
125) When a company is purchasing software, it should choose hardware
A) before choosing software.
B) at the end of systems analysis.
C) after choosing software.
D) at any time either before or after choosing software.
126) One reason to put off the purchase of computer hardware or software is
A) the price of hardware and software will drop shortly.
B) a new version of hardware or software will be available soon.
C) the company wants the latest “state-of-the-art” system.
D) None of these answers is a good reason to put off the purchase of computer hardware or
software.
127) Actively involving the ultimate users in the development of a system might help to limit
A) communications problems.
B) unrealistic or vague requirements during the analysis phase.
C) disillusionment and confusion during the design phase.
D) All of these answers are correct.
128) It is normal for deficiencies in a systems plan to only become obvious during the
A) design and implementation phases.
B) planning and analysis phases.
C) planning and design phases.
D) If the systems plan is correctly executed, deficiencies will not be present.
129) The more complicated, unfamiliar, or innovative business and information environments
become, the more it becomes necessary to
A) plan and analyze upfront.
B) use an iterative design approach.
C) employee a project manager.
D) use the waterfall method correctly.
130) Systems development means defining, shaping, and reshaping the four enterprise
architectural domains of
A) business, information, application, and technical architectures.
B) business, software, implementation, and training architectures.
C) software, hardware, training, and maintenance architectures.
D) software, information, hardware, and reporting architectures.
131) Each domain in the enterprise architecture is subject to
A) cost overruns if planning is not carefully completed upfront.
B) government review if the company is publicly traded.
C) the four phases of RUP development.
D) analysis, planning, design, and implementation.
132) In iterative or agile approaches to systems development
A) each phase of the life cycle is completed prior to moving to the next phase.
B) phases can be started in any order the project manager deems appropriate.
C) all phases of the life cycle are carried on simultaneously.
D) the systems development life cycle is not appropriate to implement.
133) Service-oriented architecture relies on developing small independent pieces of software
called
A) groups.
B) services.
C) units.
D) prototypes.
134) An iterative approach using prototypes is called
A) service-oriented development.
B) waterfall development.
C) object-oriented design.
D) rapid application development.
135) The phase of the Rational Unified Process where the project is documented in detail using
UML and prototypes is the ________ phase.
A) inception
B) elaboration
C) construction
D) transition
136) The phase of the Rational Unified Process where the software is deployed to end users for
testing and training is the ________ phase.
A) inception
B) elaboration
C) implementation
D) transition
137) Rational Unified Process relies on a(n)
A) iterative approach.
B) traditional approach.
C) object oriented approach.
D) It does not use any of these approaches.
138) The object-oriented approach focuses on defining
A) objects.
B) services.
C) units.
D) All of the above are a part of the object-oriented approach.
139) Data related to objects are called
A) items.
B) methods.
C) attributes.
D) characteristics.
140) The things objects do are called
A) items.
B) methods.
C) attributes.
D) characteristics.
141) ________ diagrams are used to document objects (and classes of objects) and how they
communicate with each other.
A) UML
B) ER
C) Conceptual
D) Data flow
142) UML diagrams directly match objects in computer programs which greatly facilitate
communication between the analysts, designers, and programmers
A) forcing objects to be defined in numerous languages.
B) forcing all objects to be identified.
C) eliminating the need for an iterative approach.
D) eliminating a language gap between DFDs and programming code.
143) MDA stands for
A) Model Diagram Assurance.
B) Methods, Development, Assessment.
C) Model Driven Architecture.
D) Method Driving Assessment.
144) The approach of MDA is to
A) develop a model and then use iteration so programmers can develop a prototype.
B) develop a model and then transform the model into computer software.
C) develop methods that can then be organized into object classes.
D) develop methods that can then be modeled into computer software.
145) An example of a transformation language that can be used with MDA is ________.
A) OMG
B) QVT
C) UML
D) OO
146) Object-oriented design and analysis is based on objects and relies on
A) UML diagrams.
B) MDA models.
C) BPEL diagrams.
D) None of the above aids OO analysis.
147) BPEL is an executable computer language that facilitates interactions between
A) objects and services.
B) objects and methods.
C) business processes and data diagrams.
D) business processes and Web services.
148) BPEL is supported by the internationally recognized and leading IT open standards
organization called
A) OASIS.
B) OMG.
C) MDA.
D) QVT.
149) Presented below is a list of terms relating to accounting information systems, followed by
definitions of those terms.
Required: Match the letter next to each definition with the appropriate term. Each answer will be
used only once.
________ 1. Forms design
________ 2. Systems planning
________ 3. Upwardly compatible
________ 4. Integration
________ 5. Dedicated software package
________ 6. Pseudocode
________ 7. Feasibility
________ 8. Cost effectiveness
________ 9. Standardization
________ 10. Turnkey system
A. Design criteria that means the avoidance of collecting and maintaining the same data items in
more than one place
B. Design criteria that all data items be entered in a basic format and assigned a common name
when used in more than one place
C. The process of planning and creating specific forms
D. Structured-English type of system documentation that includes provisions for error
conditions and data file access
E. A computer package that meets the specific needs of an individual situation with minimal
design work
F. Identifying subsystems within the information system that need special attention for
development
G. A commercially available software package that is intended for a narrow audience
H. Design criterion that states that it must be possible to actually implement the design
specifications
I. A concept that states that the benefits of a system must exceed its costs
J. Computer hardware that can easily be upgraded to a larger or faster model without losing
existing data or programs
150) Presented below is a list of terms relating to accounting information systems, followed by
definitions of those terms.
Required: Match the letter next to each definition with the appropriate term. Each answer will be
used only once.
________ 1. Detailed design proposal
________ 2. Steering committee
________ 3. Systems analysis
________ 4. Bottleneck
________ 5. “Canned” software package
________ 6. Key success factors
________ 7. Information needs analysis
________ 8. Structured English
________ 9. Systems development life cycle
________ 10. Warnier-Orr
A. A special language for describing process logic that uses several key words including IF,
THEN, ELSE IF, and SO
B. A software package purchased from a vendor
C. A methodology and diagramming technique for analyzing the outputs of an application and
factoring the application into a hierarchical structure of modules to accomplish the necessary
processing
D. Everything necessary to actually implement a design project
E. A weakness in the system where small changes can result in major improvements in
performance
F. Characteristics that distinguish a company from its competitors and are integral to its success
G. The concept that every systems development project goes through essentially the same
process or life cycle of systems analysis, design, and implementation
H. Group representing top management and all major functional areas within the organization
which is charged with guiding the overall systems development effort
I. The process of understanding existing systems and problems, describing information needs,
and establishing priorities for further systems work
J. Analysis of specific decisions made by managers in terms of the information inputs
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151) Presented below are three lists. The first list contains design considerations for system
elements. The second list contains the system elements, and the third list contains the definitions
of the design considerations.
Required: Insert the Roman numeral of the system element(s) that apply to the design
consideration in the first column. Insert the letter of the correct definition for each design
consideration in the second column. The Roman numerals will be used more than once. Each
letter will be used only once.
System Design Design
element(s) consideration consideration
definition
________ ________ 1. Cost effectiveness
________ ________ 2. Integration
________ ________ 3. Efficiency
________ ________ 4. Security
________ ________ 5. Relevance
________ ________ 6. Accuracy
________ ________ 7. Comprehensiveness
________ ________ 8. Flexibility
________ ________ 9. Clarity
________ ________ 10. Standardization
System elements:
I. Outputs (report or document)
II. Database
III. Data processing
IV. Data input
V. Controls and security measures
Design consideration definitions:
A. Speedy data retrieval for queries is an example
B. Information making a difference in one’s decision, with no unneeded or missing information
C. Addresses multiple areas of concern
D. Avoidance of collecting and maintaining the same data items in more than one place
E. Data are correct
F. Information is understandable to a variety of parties
G. All data items are entered in the same format and assigned a common name when used in
more than one place
H. Data are protected from unauthorized changes, additions, and deletions
I. Benefits exceed the costs
J. Ability to handle a variety of questions
152) A small manufacturer of custom-made sports equipment has hired you as a systems
consultant. You have completed a systems survey and found that the company is experiencing
wide-ranging problems in its manufacturing and delivery systems, including bottlenecks in
production and shipping, and quality control concerns because customer feedback indicates jobs
are not conforming completely to their specifications. You are ready to begin the second phase of
systems analysis, identifying information needs.
Required: Explain what information needs analysis is, and describe two techniques you would
use to identify information needs.
153) Ace Fasteners is a small manufacturing company. The controller has been preparing aging
schedules and found that the company’s invoices are not being sent out in a timely manner. The
accounts receivable department has told the controller that it is not getting information when
orders are completed and shipped due to its computer system. The computer system is slow and
cannot keep pace with production. As a result, the computer system crashes frequently. The
accounts receivable department often must type invoices when the computer system is
malfunctioning, resulting in backlogs and delays in billing. When the controller brings up the
issue to the president of the company at a weekly management meeting, the president states,
“Just get the problem fixed so we can send out the bills on time. What is the next item on the
agenda?”
Required: From a standpoint of systems planning and feasibility analysis, how would you as a
consultant (hired by the controller of Ace Fasteners to “fix the problem”) advise the controller
and management to proceed to remedy this systems problem?
154) A company president has been told by the chief information officer that a certain systems
analysis and design project is at the stage of having “design specifications prepared.”
Required: Identify what systems design phases have occurred and what phases need to take place
to complete this project?
155) Briefly discuss some behavioral considerations that are of major importance to the systems
planning and analysis phase.
156) What individuals should be involved in systems planning?
157) What are some important factors to consider when evaluating “canned” software?
158) How is the Warnier-Orr methodology used to organize facts in systems analysis and design
projects?
159) What are the differences between logical flow diagrams and analytic flowcharts?
160) What is the Rational Unified Process and what are the four phases incorporated in its
framework?
161) Describe object-oriented design and analysis and how UML diagrams will aid OO. Also
describe what effect transformation will have on the process of design.