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Theory Notes - Information Systems 414
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The important theory points required to pass information systems 414 at the faculty of industrial engineering, Stellenbosch University.
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Information systems theoryChapter 1: Systems, roles and development methodologies
Define “Information system”
It is the arrangement of:
(a) People
(b) Data
(c) Processes
(d) Interfaces
(e) Technology
(f) Networks
to support day-to-day business and decision making
List three qualities that a systems analyst typically displays and provide a definition for each.
Problem solver – a person who views the analysis of problems as a challenge and who enjoys
devising workable solutions.
Communicator – must be capable of relating meaningfully to other people over extended periods of
time.
Self-disciplined/self-motivated – can manage and coordinate other people, as well as innumerable
project resources.
List three roles that a systems analyst typically displays and provide a definition for each.
• Consultant - hired specifically to address information system issues within a business.
• Supporting Expert - analysts draw on professional expertise concerning computer hardware
and software and their overall use in the business. They serve as a resource for those
working on the project.
• Agent of Change - catalyst for change, develops plan to bring about change and works with
others to facilitate change. Systems analysts bring about change by performing activities in
the SDLC and by being present and interacting with users for an extended period of time.
What does the acronym CASE stand for? Explain the concept in no more than one or two
sentences.
CASE = Computer-Aided Software Engineering X CASE is productivity tools created explicitly to
improve routine work through the use of automated support
Chapter 2: Understanding and modelling organisational
systems
What does the acronym ERP stand for? Explain the concept in no more than one or two sentences.
ERP = Enterprise Resource Planning
, An ERP integrates business functions on various levels across all departments throughout the
organisation into a single IT system so that employees can make decisions by viewing enterprise-
wide information about all business operations
Briefly explain the “doughnut principle.
The doughnut principle requires a view of the whole problem in its entirety, whilst also focusing on
the “hole” (i.e. the smaller subsections of the problem)
Provide the names of two well-known ERP packages.
SAP
Oracle
Gartner
Name the three levels of managerial control and a data need associated with each.
• Operational– internal, narrow, short-term, structured, stable, predictable
• Middle management– internal, past-present-future type of data
• Strategic– broad, long-term, unstructured, externally oriented, volatile, unpredictable
Chapter 3: Project management
In order for an analyst to recommend further development, a project must show feasibility in
three manners. State and explain each shortly.
Technical feasibility – is it possible to develop a new system given the current technical resources.
Economic feasibility – The cost and time associated with the development of a new system should
not overshadow the long-term gain, otherwise it is not economically feasible.
Operational feasibility – does the available human resources have sufficient capability of operating a
newly developed system.
There are various advantages and disadvantages when comparing buying computer resources
versus using cloud services. For each of these, provide two advantages and two disadvantages.
Buying computer hardware
Advantages:
Full control over hardware and software
Often cheaper in long run
Provides tax advantages through depreciation
Disadvantages:
Initial cost is high
Risk of obsolescence
Risk of being stuck if choice was wrong
Full responsibility for operation and maintenance
Using cloud services
Advantages:
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