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a) An agent of change is the one who brings about change. It is through an agent of change
that new things come about. This is the thing that brings or initiates the change. In
systems development, a systems analyst is taken as the agent of change. A system analyst‘s
role in system development can be said to be the role of designing the programs and
systems as a whole to perform the data processing work. The analyst is regarded as an
agent of change due to he nature of his roles. The roles of the system analyst are:
o Systems analysis- involves methodological study of the current system so that
asystem of user requirements is obtained and a feasibility study carried out.
o Systems design- involves specification of input and output, storage or files,
theprocessing, hardware and software and data processing security controls. At the
end of systems design, a program specification is produced from flowcharts used to
document the system‘s programs.
o Program and system testing- involves uncovering errors in the programs of
thesystem and in the operation of the system as a whole. Testing ensures that errors
are uncovered and corrected thus guaranteeing the quality of the systems programs.
o Training- involves educating users on the operation and security aspects of
thesystem so as to ensure smooth changeover.
o Post implementation review- the analyst conducts it to ensure that the system is
asuccess
b)An analyst is the person who analyses information for the purpose of use by the
organization. A systems analyst is the one who analyses the information before the
development of a system. An external systems analyst is advantageous due to the
following reasons:
1.An external analyst will carry out his work objective i.e. without fear and favour. The
external analyst does not have any interest to protect or anything to do with the
business and thus has a higher chance of doing good work.
2.An external analyst will carry out his work thoroughly and will not assume some
aspect of the analysis. This is because he is trained for this work and hence thorough
work will be carried out.
3.An external analyst will be more suited for the work as this is basically his/her
profession thus quality work will be done.
4.The external analyst will possess the required expertise and employee to carry out the
work more quickly.
5.The external analyst will not use the information obtained in his favour. This is
because he is bound by professional standards in addition of having an interest in the
business.
6.Employees will find it easier to deal with an external analyst as some may feel the
selection of an internal analyst is biased and hence will not divulge the information.
gregorymasila answered the question on February 15, 2018 at 20:33
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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a) Define the following terms in relation to
systems:
(i.) Symbiosis;
(ii.) Synergy;
(iii.) Redundancy;
(iv.) Factoring;
b) What is meant by 'hard' and 'soft' properties of system approach? Describe briefly two
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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a) You are a consultant to a small business organization that is considering computerising
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(i.) Word processing;
(ii.) Spreadsheets;
(iii.) Database management systems;
b) Discuss the cost factors that should be taken into consideration in the development,
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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(i.) State four characteristics of a good coding system.
(ii.) Describe four commonly used coding systems.
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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Creating a plan for a new computer system is an extremely difficult task as evidenced by the
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a. Project estimation
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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a. Describe some general characteristics of management reporting systems.
b. A supermarket with...(Solved)
Businesses and organizations, whether computerised or not, make extensive use of
management reporting systems.
a. Describe some general characteristics of management reporting systems.
b. A supermarket with some 10,000 stock items must know very quickly when a stock item
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a. Identify and describe...(Solved)
Strategic benefits for an organization may be obtained by the use of a wide range of text and
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a. Identify and describe how telecommunication applications can reduce costs and/or help
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b. Describe the factors that
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In the conduct of duties, a professional information analyst/programmer might become
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this problem suggests that there are four main tasks that should be very carefully considered
by the professional person before any action is taken:
a. Collect and examine all the facts of the case;
b. Ensure that all internal organisational processes have been utilised;
c. Carefully consider your own situation;
d. Carefully consider possible final choices and outcomes.
Using the above headings, outline possible tasks and decisions that should be carried out or
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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Executive Support Systems (ESS) are information systems at the strategic level of an
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use of advanced graphics and communications.
a. List four types of technological change that have allowed more effective ESS to be
developed, indicating how each of these changes contributed to solving the earlier
problems of the ESS?
b. In what ways is building executive support systems different from building traditional MIS
systems?
c. What are the benefits of ESS? How do they enhance managerial decision making?
Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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a. Describe the...(Solved)
To support users of modern networked computer systems, organizations have set up
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a. Describe the major functions of these user support areas.
b. User training and updating is of major importance. Describe what training options are
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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Information systems are the lifeblood of any organization: -
a. Describe what is meant by a FORMAL computer-based information system;
b. In parallel with the formal information system, runs an INFORMAL information system.
Describe what is meant by this informal information system;
c. Compare this informal information system with the formal system indicating any conflicts
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d. During the design of a formal computer based information system, should the
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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In the context of computer-based transaction processing systems: -
a. Describe their purpose;
b. Describe two different examples of such systems in differing industries or services;
c. What are the MAJOR security implications of such systems?
d. Describe which of the system development methodologies is most likely to be used,
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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‘It is one thing to have ownership of your own computer systems but another to accept the
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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A software house produces a software package for the insurance industry. Purchases of the
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be made to the software to improve the functionality and usability of the software.
Required:
(a) Briefly explain the following terms:
(i.) Corrective maintenance;
(ii.) Adaptive maintenance;
(iii.) Perfective maintenance.
(b) Briefly explain the meaning and purpose of a user group
The software house has an internal quality assurance process for implementing software
changes
Required:
Explain each of the following two stages of an internal quality assurance process:
(c) Unit testing.
(d) System testing.
Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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a. The assurance of quality is an important aspect within all information systems
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i. Unit testing
ii. Systems testing
b. Explain how using formal specification methods can contribute to improved quality
assurance.
Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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a. Outline the three major roles of an office.
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b. What is an Office Automation System (OAS)?
c. Outline what application packages might be found in the accounts office;
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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a. Outline the various organisational (NOT COMPUTER) factors that must be considered
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The growth of telecommunications has made information a key organisational resource,
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a. Give your definition of an Information System.
b. The management of information may be divided into two categories:-
i. Information management and
ii. Information Systems management
Give a detailed description of each of these managerial tasks.
c. It has been suggested that both these managerial tasks commit personnel involved to a
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Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)
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Information systems are usually more to do with people than technology. Over the last
century the task of management in organisations has been studied by many academics. Their
studies have been categorized under three main headings:-
Technical-Rational, Behavioural and Cognitive.
a. Outline the major aspects of each of these headings;
b. List the people involved in developing an information system.
Date posted: February 15, 2018. Answers (1)