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EXAMINATION PAPER: ACADEMIC SESSION 2006/2007

Campus Maritime Greenwich

School Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Level Three

TITLE OF PAPER Information Systems Engineering

COURSE CODE COMP1304

Date and Time Monday 4th December 2006, 3 hours

London 13.30pm Bahrain 15.00pm

Hong Kong 18.00pm UAE 16.00pm
Trinidad 09.30pm Singapore 18.00pm
Malta 15.00pm Zambia 14.30pm
Malaysia 18.00pm Greece 15.00pm

Answer any FOUR of the following SIX questions.

Each question is worth 25 marks.
If you answer more than four questions, marks will ONLY be awarded for your
FOUR best answers.
CALCULATORS AND ELECTONIC DEVICES ARE NOT PERMITTED

Information Systems Engineering

COMP 1304
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1. The ETHICS method for developing information systems is described as

providing a participative design framework and is used to understand socio-
technical requirements.

a) Explain, within the context of the ETHICS method, what is meant by a

participative design framework.
[10 marks]

b) Discuss why it is important to understand both technical and social

aspects of systems development.
[15 marks]

2. “An object is something you interact with. If you send it a message it will
react. The object’s behaviour depends upon its current internal state, which
may change in response to a particular event”.

a) Explain what is meant by the terms message, behaviour, state and

event in relation to the above statement.
[10 marks]

b) A simple Point-of-Sale application may be described in the following

way:
The POS terminal awaits the entry of sale information. A
number of items (one or more) will be entered by the sales
assistant for a particular transaction. A cash payment will be
entered into the POS terminal which will then await the next
transaction. A credit card/cheque transaction will require
authorisation. A credit card transaction may either be
successful or unsuccessful.

Draw a state transition diagram for the above application clearly

showing the states and events associated with its operation.
[15 marks]

3. Principle 9 of Dynamic Systems Development Methodology (DSDM) says “A

collaborative and co-operative approach between all stake-holders is
essential.” In doing so it puts stakeholders at the centre of the development
process.

a) Explain what is meant by stakeholder in this context and why their role
is important to the success of a systems development.
[12 marks]

Question 3 continues on following page

Information Systems Engineering

COMP 1304
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Question 3 continues

b) Discuss the tools and techniques available to the systems developer to

help meet the collaboration and co-operation described in this
principle.
[13 marks]

4. “Failure to understand the behaviour of a system at the modelling stage leads

to a weak system that does not meet key organisational objectives or gain
acceptance by end users.”

a) Discuss the role of the behavioural model in understanding the

requirements for a new information system. What does the behavioural
model tell the analyst about the information system?
[15 marks]

b) Describe the activities the analyst should carry out to understand the
behavioural model for an information system?
[10 marks]

5. When using Soft Systems Method (SSM) you should define root definitions
during which you will consider CATWOE (Customers, Actors,
Transformation, Weltensuuang, Ownership and Environmental constraints)

a) Explain why considering Actors, Weltensuuang and Environmental

Constraints are important to the overall development of a new system.
[12 marks]

b) Discuss the role and importance of the root definition in identifying

appropriate systems when using SSM
[13 marks]

Information Systems Engineering

COMP 1304
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6. Consider the following case study:

A company providing learning packages to children aged 5-12 have

decided to commission a hand held learning device to aid the
children with learning English. The initial idea is that it will
provide functions to help the child with spelling, the meaning of
words, punctuation and grammar. There needs to be built into the
device a testing function which will allow the children to be
assessed on various topics, depending on the child’s age and
ability. It is intended for the device to have a docking station linked
to a PC so that the child can download new material and upload the
answers to the tests taken which will be sent to the teaching
company to be assessed.

What are the main issues that you would consider when developing the
interaction design for such a device? In your answer discuss how the role of
the user affects the design of the interaction. What differences would it
make to the device described in the case study if it was aimed at children
aged 12-18? Explain why these differences would occur.
[25 marks]

Information Systems Engineering

COMP 1304
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