THE BRITISH COMPUTER SOCIETY THE BCS PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

PRACTICE
Thursday 23rd April 2009 - Morning Answer FOUR questions out of SIX. All questions carry equal marks Time: TWO hours
The marks given in brackets are indicative of the weight given to each part of the question.

Calculators are NOT allowed in this examination. 1. Explain briefly how the relevant aspects of the BCS Code of Conduct, Code of Practice, and any appropriate laws, would influence your actions as a computing professional in each of the following situations. a) The need as a software project manager, to be aware of, and able to apply, current good practice and to ensure your staff are fully competent in their relevant disciplines. (8 marks) You have recently changed jobs and your new company asks you to lead the team developing a software product similar to the one you worked on at your previous company. It is made clear to you that you are being asked to do this because of your experience with this type of product. (8 marks) You work for a company that produces and markets a software product. You become aware of a defect in the product that could result in the unintentional release of confidential information. The revenue from the product is not, however, large enough to cover the cost of fixing the problem and the company is therefore resisting making the change. (9 marks)

b)

c)

2.

a)

Explain what is meant by the terms working capital and cash flow. (5 marks) Two BCS members have established a software company. The company sells an accounting package to other small businesses. It also provides consultancy services to these companies, as required, to help them implement or adapt the package. It expects these sales to grow over the coming year. i) Making reasonable assumptions, which should be stated, about the costs and revenues involved, produce a cash flow forecast for the first six months of operation. (15 marks) ii) Explain how you would use this forecast to estimate the amount of working capital required. (5 marks)

b)

Turn over]

3.

a)

Outline how the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 affect the liability of Internet Service Providers for defamatory material passing over their networks or stored on web pages that they host. (15 marks) The UK Computer Misuse Act 1990 was amended by the Police and Justice Act 2006, which created two new offences: making, supplying or obtaining software tools for use in computer misuse offences, and carrying out unauthorised acts with the intention of impairing the operation of a computer. Explain why this new legislation was necessary. (10 marks)

b)

4.

a)

Explain what a patent is, and how a company would apply for a patent for a novel computer hardware device for potentially international sale. What documentation must be included in the application? (10 marks) Discuss the protection of software by: i) ii) ii) copyright; (5 marks) patents; (5 marks) trade marks. (5 marks)

b)

5.

a)

Explain the difference between an organic organisational structure and a bureaucratic organisational structure. (7 marks) Explain what is meant by a matrix structure and give TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages of such a structure. (8 marks) Flat organisational structures reduce the levels of hierarchy and widen the span of control. Give TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages that this approach might have when the organisation relies on its employees to make judgements on customers requests, illustrating your answer with suitable examples. (10 marks)

b)

c)

6.

a)

Explain the terms sole trader and partnership. (8 marks)

b)

What is the primary role of the Company Secretary in a limited company? (5 marks) Many limited companies have both executive and non-executive directors. Describe the role of the non-executive directors. (6 marks) What responsibilities do the directors of a limited company have in respect of the companys debts? (6 marks)

c)

d)

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