Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Chapter 4: System Design and Acquisition
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. In a data flow diagram, an entity is defined as ______.
A. any external agent that receives or supplies data to the HR system
B. the movement of a single piece of data from point to point
C. a business activity or process
D. the data at rest in the system or a repository of data
2. The highest level of a data flow diagram (DFD) is the ______.
A. Level 0 diagram
B. Level 1 diagram
C. context diagram
D. additional-level diagram
3. The strength of the ______ model is that it focuses on how the hardware and
software will actually operate.
A. logical
B. blueprint
C. physical
D. design
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
4. The strength of using ______ is that the HR staff and developers can focus
specifically on business processes, policies, and procedures instead of on
technology, leading to stronger solutions.
A. gap analysis
B. the needs analysis
C. the physical model
D. the logical model
5. The ______ perspective of system modeling focuses on organizational data
but is not concerned with how the data are used within the organization.
A. data
B. process
C. logical
D. practical
6. In the ______ perspective, the designer focuses on the flow of data through
the system.
A. data
B. process
C. logical
D. practical
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
7. A ______ is a graphical representation of the key business activities and
processes in the HR system, the system boundaries, and any external individuals
or departments that interact with the system.
A. data flow diagram
B. process model
C. workflow process
D. practical model
8. A ______ solicits proposals and bids for proposed work from potential
consultants or vendors and defines the organization’s goals and requirements for
the new HRIS.
A. request for proposals (RFP)
B. vendor bid
C. needs analysis
D. work order
9. After receiving the vendor responses, you have the opportunity to evaluate the
relative strengths and weaknesses of each vendor. Which of the following would
you consider in your assessment of the software options?
A. functionality
B. IT architecture and IT integration
C. price
D. all of these
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
10. ______ focuses on how well the proposed system fits in with the current and
future organizational environment.
A. Functional feasibility
B. Legal feasibility
C. Operational feasibility
D. Political feasibility
11. The goal of ______ feasibility analysis is to determine whether the costs of
developing, implementing, and running the system are worth the benefits derived
from its use.
A. technical
B. economic
C. operational
D. political
12. Prewritten or developed software or hardware products that already exist for
purchase are called ______.
A. commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software
B. application software
C. integration software
True/False
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
1. Using an application service provider (ASP) is a software acquisition strategy
where ready-made software is purchased and installed on the organization’s
local network.
2. A data flow diagram (DFD) is a statistical tool that can be used to manipulate
or change the data.
3. One of the questions that is asked as part of a legal and political feasibility
analysis is “What is the risk of system sabotage?”
4. A logical model of the system graphically illustrates what the system does,
independent of any technological architecture (e.g., hardware, software,
networking).
5. Operational feasibility is a tool that focuses on how well the new system will fit
within the organization, including issues such as development schedule, extent of
organizational change, and user responses to the system.
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
6. Logical design describes a phase in the SDLC in which a new system is
designed with particular focus on how the hardware, software, networking,
activities, users, and so forth will be implemented.
7. In a DFD, “balancing” refers to making sure that every level of the diagram
contains the same inflows and outflows.
8. The request for proposal (RFP) is a document that solicits potential
consultants or vendors to submit proposals and bids for proposed work.
9. Logical feasibility is a system feasibility assessment tool that focuses on the
technical capability of the organization and the availability of the technology
necessary to implement a new system.
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
10. Most companies purchase their HRIS from vendors instead of building from
scratch.
11. A single data flow diagram typically is all that is typically needed when
Essay
1. What is meant by a data perspective of a system?
2. What is meant by a process perspective of a system?
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
3. Why is the distinction between data and process perspectives important when
designing a new system?
5. What is a logical model of an HRIS?
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
6. Which model—the physical or logical—is more useful in designing the HRIS?
7. Why does an organization need to conduct every type of feasibility
assessment?
8. Should an organization always purchase from the least expensive vendor?
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
9. You are responsible for putting together a request for proposal (RFP). What
are some key recommendations to follow to ensure it is most successful?