Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Answers to Questions in the Text
Chapter 4: System Design and Acquisition
1. What is the difference between the data view of a system and the process view of a
system? Why is this distinction important when designing a new system?
The data perspective focuses on an analysis of what data the organization
captures and uses, the definitions and relationships of the data, while ignoring
how or where the data are used by the organization. This perspective would
focus on the important data but would not be concerned with how the data are to
be used within the organization. In addition, the data perspective focuses on the
most efficient and effective way to capture the data to ensure accuracy and uses
tools that describe the data that the system uses.
2. Discuss four reasons why a DFD is a stronger tool than a written narrative of the
business processes.
Kendall and Kendall (2008) argue that DFDs have four distinct advantages over
narrative (e.g., written) descriptions:
• There is freedom from committing to the technical implementation of
the system too early.
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
3. How do companies use an RFP when sourcing software? What are the key items
that should be included in the RFP?
The RFP provides an opportunity for the HR department to systematically
record what they will need the system to do. As part of this process, any
remaining implicit assumptions should be made explicit. Basically, the RFP will
4. If you were advising a firm on developing an RFP, what would be some key
suggestions you would make to them for improving the effectiveness of the RFP?
When developing the RFP, organizations should keep several things in mind.
The first recommendation is to focus on the business requirements. Associated
with this requirement, the second recommendation is to be specific. With all of
the effort placed into the needs analysis and the redesign of business processes,
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
5. When evaluating vendor offerings, what are the key factors that will help your firm
determine the best software product to acquire?
After receiving the vendor responses, there is an opportunity to evaluate the
relative strengths and weaknesses of each vendor. Key factors that will help
your firm determine the best software product to acquire and the associated
questions to ask within each factor are listed below.
Functionality
• How fully does the functionality of the HRIS meet the HR needs?
• Can the HRIS implemented today change as the organization grows?
• Is an HRIS that will meet your organization’s needs with minimal
customization for actual use more attractive than one that will require
significant customization?
6. Even if a system pays for itself financially, an organization must conduct a thorough
feasibility study. What types of feasibility should be assessed, and what information
does each type of feasibility provide the organization?
Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Even if a system pays for itself financially (i.e., economic feasibility), technical,
operational, human factors, legal, and political should be assessed. Technical
feasibility focuses on the current technological capabilities of the organization
and the technological capabilities required for the implementation of the
proposed system. The HR staff would work closely with systems analysts and
technical staff to determine whether or not the current technology can be
upgraded to meet the needs of the organization or whether an entirely new