EXERCISE 1.

3
1. What is the essential in the understanding of the problem stage?
The essential of this stage is to have a very clear problem statement for the
owner and participants.
2. Describe some of the activities completed in the preliminary investigation?
Activities in the collecting process are interviews with the participants, surveys,
observations and measurements.
3. What is provided by the requirement report?
The aims and objectives of the new system and how it will help the organisation
will be in it. Also there will be an overview of the new system in terms of the
data/information, information processes and the information technology to be
used.
4. Why are prototypes built?
Prototypes are built in order to understand the requirement of the system. They
also can help in defining the problem to be solved and in determining how an
information system may solve the problem.
5. What do prototypes contain?
They contain the data entry screens and a small sample database or may use
formulas that provide approximate results.
6. Why is the use of a prototype a repetitive process?
Because the participant evaluates the model, they suggest improvements, and
then another version of the prototype is built.
7. Describe three advantages in using a prototype?
1.The requirements of the system more accurately reflect the needs of the
participants. Most participants will better understand the new system if
they use a prototype rather than read the design specifications.
2.Participants have the opportunity to be involved earlier and more
directly in the development of the new system. This may reduce the
number of changes required by the participants in the testing, evaluating
and maintaining stage.
3.The new system is easier to create from a prototype. For example, if a
database management system was used to create a prototype, then
some or all of the forms and reports developed for the prototype could be
used to build the new system.
1. How could a greater involvement of participants in the use of a prototype
be a disadvantage?
1.The greater involvement of the participants could impact on their work
with the old system.
2.The repetitive process of the prototype can be frustrating if the
succeeding versions do not provide a better solution.
3.Successful prototypes can produce software that is difficult to maintain,
unrealiable or inadequate.
 EXERCISE 1.4
1. Describe the second stage of the system development cycle?
Making decisions involves making decision based on using the data/information.
2. What is a feasibility report?
Is a short report that analyses potential solutions in terms of the known
constraints and make a recommendation.
3. Describe the initial sections of the feasibility study?
The initial section of the feasibility states the nature of the problem, list the aims
and objectives of the new system and give an overview of the existing system.
The middle section of the feasibility study analyses that data collected in the
preliminary investigation.
The final section of the feasibility study is the project plan.
4. What is economic feasibility?
Compares the costs of developing the new system with the expected benefits. A
financial analyst if often asked to assess economic feasibility. Economic
feasibility is also called cost/benefit feasibility.
5. What is determined by organisation feasibility?
Determines whether the new system will fit into the organisation and meet the
current goals and objectives. It also determines whether the new system will
have enough support from the participant to be successfully implemented and
whether participants can operate the system.
6. What are the options available to management after receiving a feasibility
study?
The managers of the organisation select the recommendation that seems most
feasible. If the managers decide to proceed with a new system, then a detailed
analysis is completed.
7. Describe an analysis report?
It provides more detail than was presented in the feasibility study. The analysis
report provides a basis for further development. The details of the new system
are presented, along with recommendation for design, implication and
maintenance.
8. What are some of the design specifications contained in the analysis
report?
These specifications give the general hardware configuration of the new system
and designs for both input and output.
 EXERCISE 1.5
1. Describe the third stage of the system development cycle?
Designing a solution is the transformation of the specifications into the
appropriate hardware, software and information processes. It involves
purchasing hardware writing or purchasing software, and specifying information
processes to make the system operational.
2. What is participant development?
Occurs when the people within the information system develop the solution.
Participants produce their own information system using readily available
information technology.
3. How are the stages in the system development cycle affected by
participant development?
Understanding the Problem – participant identifies the problem. Information
system personnel might be used to advise the participant on possible tools to
solve the problem.
Making Decisions – participants chooses an appropriate solution.
Developing a Solution – Participant develops a solution, often using guided
processes found in application packages. The participant may require some
training to design a solution.
Implementation – participants begins using the system. This stage is often
easier to accomplish with participant development than with a system developed
by information system personnel as the participant is familiar with the
application and does not require further training. There is no issue regarding
acceptance of the solution by the participant.
Testing, Evaluating and Maintaining – participant is totally responsible for
the maintenance and testing of the solution and determining if any changes
need to be made to a solution.
4. Describe three disadvantages of participant development?
1. Participants who develop a solution are not hardware experts. Information
system personnel often make more informed decisions and may receive a
discount for bulk purchases. They also have specialised knowledge about the
particular equipment that they purchase.
2. Applications and the operating system choose by a participant may be
different to those used by other participants in the organisation. This creates
additional costs in terms of site license and training. Incompatible software
makes it difficult for people to work together.
 3. Participants need access to data for their solution. This creates security
problems. Downloading data to a disc and transferring it to another computer
increases the risk of the data being stolen.
1. Name and describe the three symbols if a context diagram?
Circle with Process in it – Single process: a circle is used to represent the entire
system.
Arrow pointing Line – Data Flow: an arrow is used to represent the flow of data
between the process and external entities.
Square with External Entity – External Entity: A square or rectangle represents
any person or organisation that sends data to or receives data from the system.
2. What is a data flow diagram?
It is a graphical method of representing a system that uses a number of
processes together with inputs, outputs and storage.

3. Name and describe the four symbols of a context diagram?

Circle with Process in it – Single process: a circle is used to represent the entire
system.
Arrow pointing Line – Data Flow: an arrow is used to represent the flow of data
between the process and external entities.
Square with External Entity – External Entity: A square or rectangle represents
any person or organisation that sends data to or receives data from the system.
Three sided Rectangle with Data Store – Data Store: an open rectangle
represents the location where the data is stored. It could be a filing cabinet, hard
disc or DVD.
4. What is the difference between a decision tree and a decision table?
A decision tree is a diagrammatic was of representing all possible combination of
decision and their resulting actions.
A decision table is a table that represents all possible conditions and actions.
5. Describe some of the information provided by a data dictionary for a
database?
It provides information about the characteristics of each item entered in the
database, such as the field names, field sizes, data type and field description.
6. What is a system flowchart?
The system flowchart is a graphical method of representation both the flow of
data and the logic of a system. It documents the essential details of the system,
such as the sequence, the processes, and the precise rules for selecting
particular actions.