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System Analysis Design Amity
System Analysis Design Amity
PART A
Descriptive Type Question
Question 1: What is understood by system life cycle? Describe the major steps I
covered in the system life cycle, in detail?
Question 2: Briefly explain the procedure and make up of the post-implementation
review. Can one perform maintenance on a system without a post-implementation
review? Why?
Question 3: Explain different categories of a system.
Question 4: What is a feasibility study? Who carries out this study? Who prepares
the feasibility report? What are the major parts of the report? Describe earn in
detail?
Question 5: What is an Assignment Brief? Who prepares it? Who issues it?
Question 6: What are System Analysis Methods? Describe the following in detail?
a. Data flow diagrams
b. Data structure diagrams
c. Data element dictionary
d. Structure text
Question 7: Describe all the eight phases of system development process in detail?
Question 8: What is the difference between Data Flows and Data Stores?
Question 9: Explain the basic operations which are performed on files?
Question 10: Explain the following design elements:
a. Data Stores
b. Controls
c. Procedures
Question 11: How does normalization reduce data redundancy? Illustrate
PART B
Case Study 1
Ship cancellations. "The people who operated the software were not longer as fast
with it, even though they were proficient and they were trained", Thomas said "It's
one of those situations where your fingers are not connected to your brain
anymore, and we were not prepared for that". Ships were also booked to capacity
because of the crush of holiday travellers, making it more difficult to accommodate
stranded passengers after the problems emerged, he said.
Compounding the situation even further was the fact that Sealines's CIO post is
vacant, said Thomas, who held that position until he was promoted to CEO in mid2000. The Shipping began interviewing potential CIO candidates last month but has
yet to hire a replacement. A hands-on IT executive might have been able to foresee
the impending crisis and steer Sealine's crew staffing department away from doing
the software conversion at such a busy travel time, Thomas said. "The only way we
could have avoided this problem was to have called off the conversion", he said.
"But we obviously didn't see the problem coming".
Paul harnandez, an analyst at Forrester Research who follows the travel industry,
faulted Sealine for its timing. "You never want to do a cutover to a new software
system during a peak travel period", he said. Sealine's staffing department wanted
the conversion to occur January 1 because the Sealine needs to track Captain and
crew Sail hours on a calendar bases in order to ensure that workers don't exceed
sailing limits set by the U.S. federal Sail Administration. Making the switch a week
or two later would have required the initial records for this year to be moved from
the old system to the new one.
"Up until now, it's been our policy to let individual departments manage their own
projects and not involve the IT department", Thomas said. "That's going to change.
We need to have our tech people more involved". Paul said such a hang-off IT
policy is receipt for danger. "You don't mess around the technology", he said. "It is
not kind to the people who don't understand it".
Thomas said the Sealine will have to spend at least the rest of month trying to win
back passengers who were inconvenienced by the problems. Sealine, the largest
privately held shiping in the U.S, carried more than 2,00,000 passengers last year.
The Sealine will also have to mend its relationship with the New York and the New
Jersey Port authority, which is considering pulling Sealine's docking permits at the
LaGuardia and Newark docks in the back of the ordeal. Port authority spokesman
Stewon Coleman said that at one point. New York police were called to La Guardia
to claim an unruly crowd of disgruntled passengers. "There were some near fist
fights between some of the passengers who'd just had enough", he said.
The crisis also will lead to organizational restructuring at Sealine. Konchesky said,
although he added that specific changes haven't been decided on. A week ago, the
sealine announced that it had returned to "business-as-usual operation". Thomas
said the new software remains in place. "It was a matter of knowing how to use it",
he said.
Questions:
1. What major problems in system implementation and conversion practices do you
recognize in this case? What major management problems do you recognize in this
case?
2. What should Sealine Shipping's have done to avoid its system problems? What
steps should they take now?
Case Study 3
Rajesh is a do-it-yourself entrepreneur who built up his fortune in trading. He
traded in anything and everything, and kept close control of every activity. That
was how he had grown rich enough to indulge in his one dream - to build a college
in his hometown. A college that would be at par to the ones in the better cities, the
ones in which he could not study himself.
Work started a year back and the buildings were coming along well. He himself did
not use computers much and became hooked to the Internet and e-mail only
recently. He was determined to provide a PC with Internet connectivity to every
students and faculty member. He was currently engrossed in plans for the 100 seated computer lab.
What was confusing him was the choice of Internet connectivity. He had about a
dozen quotes in front of him. Recommendations ranged from 64 kbps ISDN all the
way to 1 Gbps leased line to Guwahati, which was almost 200 km away. Prices
ranged from slightly under a lakh all the way up to Rs 25 lakh and beyond. He did
not understand most of the equipment quoted - firewall, proxy server, cache
appliance. Nor was he sure what the hidden costs were. Although it went against
his very nature, he would have to identify a trustworthy consultant who would help
him make sense of the whole thing.
Questions:
(a) In the context of the given case, what managerial issues need to be addressed
by Rajesh? Why is it important for managers to be tech savvy?
(b) What is the importance of a 'systems consultant' to an organization? What skills
should he/she possess?
Case Study-4
System Installation
A rug manufacturer and importer wanted to have his own computer and run
applications away from the parent company's mainframe. A computer consultant
(with no knowledge of the rug business) did a feasibility study. He recommended a
system with which he had design experience.
The firm leased the system and signed a contract with the consultant to do the
installation and training. The consultants brought in two programmers and a data
base specialist to convert the files and train personnel. For weeks, everyone was
busy with what was bound to be a successful system.
As a first step, the company decided to compare the reports generated by the new
system with those available from the main computer. The procedure was to run
invoices first, followed by accounts receivable and payable. The first inventory
reports seemed way out of line with reality. Both the format of the reports and the
data were off. The few invoices sent out brought hostile complaints from customers
who were overcharged for their orders. Further attempts to correct the errors only
generated more inaccuracies. The company decided to go back to the old system
and cancel the whole project.
The matter ended up in court with the consultant demanding the balance due him
on the project. The company filed a counter suit claiming irreparable damage to the
firm. An investigation discovered that despite management's lack of experience
with computers, they decided to convert three major applications at the same time.
The employees, not having been forewarned of the conversion, panicked. Prior to
the computer, they had undocumented methods of invoicing, keeping track of
inventory, and billing procedures that the consultant never knew of or inquired
about. To make matters worse, he did not even know that the parent company's
warehouse system had a terminal that used the mainframe to update inventory.
System testing was also a disaster. Only real data were used. The resulting output
was so unwieldy that no one could audit or verify its accuracy until it was too late.
With no interface between the system being tested and the mainframe, there was
no way the files could be copied. The consultant decided to go ahead with the
incoming data only and to worry later about copying the files on the mainframe.
The contract was well written. It simply committed the consultant to install a
computer system and the company to pay the consultant $75 per hour plus out-ofpocket expenses. The consultant never really knew what the company wanted, and
the company had no work with the consultant. The employees stayed out of the
ways, since they had not been consulted and were not knowledgeable about
computers. The programmers, in their opinions, were simply obnoxious. Another
consultant who came in to evaluate the mess thought the whole installation was
primitive and lacked state-of-the-art software.
Questions
1. What went wrong in this case? Be specific.
2. Elaborate on the importance of a computer contract. What elements would
you have emphasized in the contract? Why?
3. Does a contract save an installation from failure? In what way?
4. What testing procedure should have been followed? Explain.
PART C
Objective Type - Set 1
State True or False
Q1. A structure chart is a sequential representation of program design.
Q2. A feasibility study generally culminates in deciding whether to proceed further
or not.
Q3. In a logical DFD, the flows are restricted to show the movement of data only.
Q4. System maintenance is a part of the high cycle of an Information system.
Q5. Screen formats and report layouts need not have the concurrence of the users.
Q6. Data flow diagrams are useful in representing the decision process in the
system.
Q7. Data flow diagrams are drawn only as a part of a system design document and
have no relevance at the stage of system analysis.
Q8. In decision tables, for each rule, there can be more than one condition being
true.
Q9. Feasibility study should always be carried out before embarking on system
analysis and design.
Q10. Only a programmer can conduct a system study.
Q11. When a file has both random and sequential processing requirements, index
sequential file is the best choice.
Q12. The real time system is also a particular case of an on line system.
Q13. Sequential files are slower than indexed files in all situations.
Q14. Indexed files can also have more than one index key.
Q15. Data store reflects a Data structure at rest however, data flow is a data a
structure in motion.
Q16. Data flow diagrams do contain decision tree.
Q17. Data stores collect only temporary data.
Q18. Indexed sequential file organisation combines the advantages of sequential
and direct files.
Q19. A sequential file is one in which the records are stored in some sequence.
Q20. Output refers to the results and information that are generated by the system.
Q21. A parallel run involves two different terminals accessing a common database.
Q22. On line data entry will avoid all data errors.
Q23. System implementation should begin only after system acceptance.
Q24. Parallel runs should be used for system acceptance.
Q25. If various modules have been tested thoroughly the need for time for carrying
inventory is reduced.
Q26. Systems development can cease after proto-typing.
Q27. Unit testing tests the programs making up the system.
Q28. Greater risk is associated with a pilot approach than with a parallel approach.
Q29. An airline reservation system is a batch processing system.
Q30. Pro-typing of a large software helps in identifying and defining requirement
before design.
Select the correct answer
Q31. The first step in systems development life cycle is:
(a). Preliminary investigation and design
(b). System design
(c). Database design
(d). None of the above
Q32. To which phase, of SDLC, is file conversion related?
(a). System Analysis
(b). System design
(c). System implementation
(d). None of the above
Q33. Documentation is prepared at the time of
(a). Commencing the study
(b). At every stage
(c). Completion of the design
(d). Completion of implementation
Q34. Structured programming involves:
(a). Functional modularization
Q2. The first step in the systems development life cycle (SDLC) is:
A. Analysis.
B. Design.
C. Problem/Opportunity Identification.
D. Development and Documentation.
Q3. Most modern software applications enable you to customize and automate
various features using small custom-built miniprograms called:
A. macros.
B. code.
C. routines.
D. subroutines.
Q4. The organized process or set of steps that needs to be followed to develop an
information system is known as the:
A. analytical cycle.
B. design cycle.
C. program specification.
D. system development life cycle.
Q5. How many steps are in the program development life cycle (PDLC)?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 10
Q6. The make-or-buy decision is associated with the step _________in the SDLC.
A. Problem/Opportunity Identification
B. Design
C. Analysis
D. Development and Documentation
Q7. In the Analysis phase, the development of the_____________occurs, which is
a clear statement of the goals and objectives of the project.
A. documentation
B. flowchart
C. program specification
D. design
Q8. Actual programming of software code is done during the___________step in
the SDLC.
A. Maintenance and Evaluation
B. Design
C. Analysis
D. Development and Documentation
Q9. Enhancements, upgrades, and bug fixes are done during the___________step
in the SDLC.
A. Maintenance and Evaluation
B. Problem/Opportunity Identification
C. Design
D. Development and Documentation
Q10. The_____________determines whether the project should go forward.
A. feasibility assessment
B. opportunity identification
C. system evaluation
D. program specification
Q11. Technical writers generally provide the for__________the new system.
A. programs
B. network
C. analysis
D. documentation
Q12. ________design and implement database structures.
A. Programmers
B. Project managers
C. Technical writers
D. Database administrators
Q13. __________spend most of their time in the beginning stages of the SDLC,
talking with end-users, gathering information, documenting systems, and proposing
solutions.
A. Systems analysts
B. Project managers
C. Network engineers
D. Database administrators
Q14. Which of the following could not be considered an organisational goal?
A. Increase company profit margin.
B. Expand customer base.
C. Provide quality service.
D. Complete backups every Friday.
Q15. An organisations goal is to improve the communication of events to members.
Which of the following strategies would best achieve this aim?
A. Reduce labour costs.
B. Produce a regular newsletter.
C. Make sure all membership information is accurate.
D. Use a spreadsheet to keep track of finances.
Q16. The profile of an audience can include its
A. Employment category, income level and average age.
D. storage.
Q24. The problem statement includes the_________, which lists specific input
numbers a program would typically expect the user to enter and precise output
values that a perfect program would return for those input values.
A. testing plan
B. error handler
C. IPO cycle
D. input-output specification
Q25. Which step of SDLC performs cost/benefit analysis?
A. Feasibility Study
B. Analysis
C. Design
D. None of the above
Q26. System maintenance is necessary because:
A. Human never gets it right the first time.
B. The deployment may change over time.
C. The user's needs may change over time.
D. All of the above.
Q27. A person-machine system and a highly integrated grouping of informationprocessing functions designed to provide management with a comprehensive
picture of specific operation is called:
A. DSS
B. MIS
C. IIS
D. All of the above.
Q28. Which is the most creative and challenging phase of SDLC?
A. Analysis
B. Design
C. Implementation
D. Feasibility Study
Q29. _________ Costs that are known to exist but whose financial value cannot be
accurately measured are referred to as
A. Intangible
B. Tangible
C. Direct
D. Indirect
Q30. The parts of the organization or computer system depend on one another is
called:
A. Interaction
B. Interdependence
C. Integration
Q13. Statistics is the set of mathematical methods used to _______ & __________
data.
(a) Collect, analyze
(b) Censuses, track
(c) Both a & b
(d) None
Q14. What is an open system is that-(1) Interacts with the environment constantly.
(2) Has an infinite scope in all organization services
(3) Does not interact with the environment constantly.
(4) Is generally flexible and abstract.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 1, 2, 4
(c) 2, 3, 4
(d) 1, 3, 4
15.A data dictionary has consolidated list of data contained in-(1) Data flows.
(2) Data stores.
(3) Data outputs.
(4) Processes.
(a) (1) and (3)
(b) (1) and (2)
(c) (3) and (4)
(d) (1) and (i4)
Q16. A data dictionary is useful as-(1) A documentation aid.
(2) Support in designing input forms.
(3) Data in an application including temporary data used in processes.
(4) A good idea in system design.
(a.) (1) and (2)
(b.) (1) and (4)
(c.) (1) , (2) and (3)
(d.) (1) and (3)
Q17. Which of the following model is used as frame work?
(a) Waterfall model.
(b) Spiral model
(c) Both a&b
(d)All of the above
Q18. Which of the following model is well suited for requirement change?
(a) Waterfall model.
(b) Spiral model
(c) Both a&b
(d) All of the above
Objective Set -4
1. Requirement specification is carried out--a)
b)
c)
d)
13. The primary objective of system implementation is--i) To build a system prototype
ii) To train users to operate the system
iii) To implement designed system using computers
iv) Write programs, create databases and test with live data
a)
b)
c)
d)
i, iii
i, ii, iii
ii, iii
ii, iv
To
To
To
To
Data flows
Data stores
Data outputs
processes
a) (i) and (iii)
b) (i) and (ii)
c) (ii) and (iv)
d) (i) and (iv)
iii and iv
i, ii and iii
ii, iii and iv
ii and iii
17. Systems analyst should use software tools in their work as--a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
i and ii
i, ii and iv
i, ii, iii and iv
i, ii and iii
21. The intangible benefits in the following list are --(i) Savings due to reducing investment
(ii) Savings due to sending bills faster and consequent early collection
(iii) Providing better service to the customers
(iv) Improving quality of companys products
a) i and ii
b) ii and iii
c) iii and iv
d) i and iii
22. In a DFD external entities are represented by a--a) Rectangle
b) Ellipse
c) Diamond shaped box
d) Circle
23. A data flow can--a) Only emanate from an external entity
b) Only terminate in an external entity
c) May emanate and terminate in an external entity
d) May either emanate or terminate in an external entity but not both
24. The most important attribute of a systems analyst is--a)
b)
c)
d)
An item in an application
A meaningful dependency between entities
A collection of related entities
Related data
i, iii and iv
i and iii
i, ii and iv
i, ii and iii
Set of entities
Collection of different entities
Collection of related entities
Collection of similar entities
i
i and ii
i and iii
iii
Tuples
A relation row
A data structure
An entity
A
A
A
A
1:1 relationship
1: N relationship
N: 1 relationship
N: M relationship
36. Normalization of database is essential to--(i) Avoid accidental deletion of required data when some data is deleted
(ii) Eliminate inconsistencies when a data item is modified in the database
(iii) Allows storage of data in a computers disk
(iv) Use a database management system
a)
b)
c)
d)
i and iii
i and ii
ii and iii
ii and iv
40. Given the following relation--vendor order (vendor no, order no, vendor name, qty supplied, price/unit) it is
not in 2 NF because---a) It is not in 1 NF
b) It has a composite key
c) Non-key attribute vendor name is dependent on vendor no. which is
one part of the composite key
d) Qty supplied and price/unit are dependent