Systems Analysis and Design, Tenth Edition End of Chapter Solutions.CHAPTER 7 Development StrategiesChapter Exercises s
Questions
1 Describe the concept of software as a service rather than a product. Is this an import
...
Systems Analysis and Design, Tenth Edition End of Chapter Solutions.CHAPTER 7 Development StrategiesChapter Exercises s
Questions
1 Describe the concept of software as a service rather than a product. Is this an important
trend? Why or why not?
This certainly is an important trend! Students might refer to the Software and Information
Industry Association (SIIA) statement that the concept of software as a service is redefining
the way that companies develop and deploy their information systems. SIIA also stated that
many observers expect traditional packaged applications to be replaced by Web-based
services that remove the responsibility for installation, maintenance, and upgrades from a
company’s in-house staff. (Page 264)
2 Explain the difference between horizontal and vertical application software. Suggest two
examples of each type.
A software package that can be used by many different types of organizations is called a
horizontal application. An accounting package or a payroll program is a good example of a
horizontal application because it can be utilized by many different businesses.
In contrast, a software package developed to handle information requirements for a
specific type of business is called a vertical application. Example might include software
specifically designed for auto dealerships, medical practices, and rental management firms.
(Page 271)
3 What are three typical reasons why companies develop their own information systems?
The most common reason for a company to choose to develop its own information system is
that the company has unique requirements that no software package can satisfy. Other
typical reasons for in-house development include the following: a software package could
cause major changes to current operations, procedures, or data processing; the new
software must work with the company's existing information systems; the software must be
compatible with the company's existing hardware and systems software; in-house IT
resources provide a competitive edge and an in-house IT staff has a better understanding of
the organization’s information needs. (Page 270)
4 What are user applications? Suggest three examples that could boost user productivity.
Business requirements sometimes can be fulfilled by a user application, rather than a
formal information system or commercial package. A user application utilizes standardSystems Analysis and Design, Tenth Edition Page 2 of 41
business software, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or tablet/cell phone apps,
which have been configured enhance user productivity. For example, to help a sales rep
respond rapidly to customer price requests, an IT support person can set up a form letter
with links to a spreadsheet that calculates incentives and discounts. (Page 274)
5 What are main steps in the software acquisition process?
The process of acquiring software involves a series of steps: evaluate the system
requirements, consider network and Web-related issues, identify potential software vendors
or outsourcing options, evaluate the alternatives, perform cost-benefit analysis, prepare a
recommendation, and implement the solution. During software acquisition, a company can
use a request for proposal (RFP) or a request for quotation (RFQ). An RFP invites vendors
to respond to a list of system requirements and features; an RFQ seeks bids for a specific
product or service. (Page 279)
6 What is an RFP, and how does it differ from an RFQ?
A request for proposal (RFP) is a written list of the information system requirements that
you give to prospective software vendors before you decide on a specific package. RFPs
help the vendors determine whether they have a product that is a possible software solution.
A request for quotation (RFQ) solicits price and related information from vendors for the
particular hardware and/or software products you specify in the proposal. The RFP tends to
be open-ended in terms of the possible solutions sought by the organization, while the RFQ
usually identifies a specific solution. (Pages 281 - 281)
7 What is the purpose of a benchmark test? Suggest at least two examples of benchmarks.
A benchmark test measures the time a software package takes to process a set number of
transactions to ensure that the software package will be able to handle the required
processing load. Benchmarks might measure input, output, or throughput – or all three.
(Page 283)
8 What is an evaluation model? How would you create a weighted evaluation model?
When you evaluate several responses to an RFP, you might find it helpful to use an
evaluation model. An evaluation model is a technique that uses a common yardstick to
measure and compare vendor ratings. To create a weighted model, you assign each element
receives a rating based on its relative importance. (Page 280)
9 What decisions might management reach at the end of the systems analysis phase, and what
would be the next step in each case?
At the end of the systems analysis phase, management might decide to develop an in-house
system (the next step is systems design), modify the current information system (the next step
is systems design), purchase and/or customize a software package (the next step might be
systems implementation, systems design, or planning for testing and documentation of
modifications made by the vendor), perform additional work on the systems analysis phase
(the next step is to do further systems analysis work), or terminate further work on the
information system (the next step is to begin work on another information systems
alternative). (Page 309 - 310)
10 Explain the relationship between logical and physical design.
You develop the logical design of an information system during the systems analysis phase
of the SDLC. The logical design defines the functions and features of the system and theSystems Analysis and Design, Tenth Edition Page 3 of 41
relationships among its components. The logical design includes the output that must be
produced by the system, the input needed by the system, and the processes that must be
performed by the system without regard to how tasks will be accomplished physically.
Logical design defines what must take place, not how it is to be accomplished. In contrast,
the physical design of an information system is a plan for the actual implementation of the
system. You develop the physical design during the systems design phase of the SDLC. The
physical design is built on the system’s logical design and describes a specific
implementation, much like a working blueprint describes the actual construction of a
building. (Page 287)
Discussion Topics
1. As more companies outsource systems development, will there be less need for in-house
systems analysts? Why or why not?
Answers will vary. Outsourcing might result in less need for in-house developers, but even
more need for analysts who can understand business requirements, plan, acquire, and
configure outsourced applications. Also, many firms are reluctant to outsource missioncritical IT systems or systems that might involve sensitive data. Because of these
considerations, it is unlikely that outsourcing will result in a decline in systems analyst
employment.
2. Suppose you tried to explain the concept of throwaway prototyping to a manager, and
she responded by asking, “So, is throwaway prototyping a waste of time and money?” How
would you reply?
Students should understand that not every prototype evolves into a finished system. Actually,
most prototypes are used to verify user requirements, after which the prototype is discarded
and implementation continues. Although this method is called design prototyping, or
throwaway prototyping, point out that the objectives are important and can save time and
money during systems development. Students should suggest that regardless of the
terminology, the end product of throwaway prototyping is a user-approved design model
that documents and benchmarks the features of the finished system.
3. Select a specific type of vertical application software to investigate. Visit local computer
stores and use the Internet to determine what software packages are available. Describe the
common features of those packages and the features that distinguish one product from
another.
Vertical application software includes packages designed for specific business operations
such as medical offices, colleges, banks, hospitals, insurance companies, construction
companies, real estate firms, airlines, and hotel chains. Have students identify two or three
examples and develop a checklist that shows the common features and unique features (if
any) that each package offers.
4. Select a specific type of horizontal application software to investigate. Visit local
computer stores and use the Internet to determine what software packages are available.
Describe the common features of those packages and the features that distinguish one
product from another.
Typical horizontal application software for microcomputers includes payroll packages,
contact management systems, personal information management packages, and inventory
management software. Generic point-of-sale (POS) software also is considered a horizontal
application. If students identify two or three examples, have them develop a checklist that
shows the common features and unique features (if any) that each package offers.Systems Analysis and Design, Tenth Edition Page 4 of 41
Projects
1. The text mentions several firms and organizations that offer IT benchmarking. Locate
another benchmarking firm on the Internet, and write a description of the services it offers.
Students should be able to find many examples of firms that offer benchmark testing. This
would be a good assignment to practice some of the Internet search skills that are described
in Part D of the Systems Analyst’s Toolkit.
2. Turn to Part C of the Systems Analyst’s Toolkit and review the concept of net present value
(NPV). Determine the NPV for the following: An information system will cost $95,000 to
implement over a one-year period and will produce no savings during that year. When the
system goes online, the company will save $30,000 during the first year of operation. For
the next four years, the savings will be $20,000 per year. Assuming a 12 percent discount
rate, what is the NPV of the system?
An NPV analysis follows:
Project Assignment 2: Net Present Value Analysis
Information System Benefits and Costs:
Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
Benefits -
Value: (13,970)
Notice that the NPV is a negative 13,970. In this example, what looked like an attractive
project turned out not to be economically feasible. Why is this so? If no adjustment factor
were used, the total benefits would exceed the total costs by $15,000. The primary reason
for the negative outcome is the time value of money. Students should recognize that the
$95,000 in costs would have to be spent up front, and paid for with today’s dollars. The
benefits, on the other hand, would not be realized immediately and were worth less in terms
of today’s dollars. This is a good example of the importance of NPV analysis.Systems Analysis and Design, Tenth Edition Page 5 of 41
3. Visit the IT department at your school or at a local company and determine whether the
information systems were developed in-house or purchased as software packages. If
packages were acquired, determine what customizing was done, if any. Write a brief memo
describing the results of your visit.
Answers will vary. Encourage students to find out why the decisions were made, if possible,
and share the results with the class.
4. To create user applications as described in this chapter, systems analysts often use macros.
Microsoft defines a macro as “a series of commands and instructions that you group
together as a single command to accomplish a task automatically.” Learn more about macros
by using the Help feature in Microsoft Word, and identify three tasks that might be
performed by macros.
Answers will vary. Many students are not aware of the power and potential of macros.
Explain that recording a macro is like using a tape recorder to capture a number of key
strokes and mouse clicks, and then replaying the entire series with a single command,
whenever desired. Point out that a macro can be used instead of a command that requires
digging two or three levels deep into the menu structure.
In the Help section, Microsoft includes the following examples of typical uses for macros:
To speed up routine editing and formatting
To combine multiple commands; for example, inserting a table with a specific size and
borders, and with a specific number of rows and columns
To make an option
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