Answer for Sample Mid-Term Exam

Systems Development – Mid-term Exam Name SAMPLE ANSWER Page 1 Below are the grader’s notes for grading the Sample Mid-Term Exam. Sample answers follow for all 4 questions on the Sample Mid-Term Exam. Sample Mid-Term Exam - General Grading Guidelines The following are the general rules for grading that I used for each of the problems on the first exam. I’m sure they explain 80-90% of the variance in grading, although some subjectivity came into play. #1 - DFD. See key. Missing flows, processes, and data stores counted -1 apiece, with a max. of -2 per data store & adjoining flows. Unlabelled flows, included flows that were not part of the case study (unless it was simply more detail than necessary), and other minor infractions were ½ apiece. Also, -2 if processes were not in verb-noun format. #2 - Gantt chart. -½ for each relevant activity less than 25 total. -½ for each relevant activity that is not part of PI & A. Additionally,  -1 if less than 3 separate interviews were listed. Possible interviews include clerks, accounting, MIS, William, Ted.*  -1 if at least 2 business analysis tools (DFDs, risk, goals, F/C, etc.) were not listed.*  -1 if neither prototyping nor software demonstration was listed.  -1 if gathering of feedback and modification to prototype (if applicable) were not listed.  -1 if timeline was not labeled or times did not fit activities  -2 if no times were drawn out.  -1 if no work breakdown structure was provided (i.e. no outline type coding nor clear indentation *Note: This requires a business process improvement affecting multiple business units, so interviews and other enterprise analysis activities are important. #3 - Cooperation techniques. Valid techniques (if adequately explained) include JAD, RAD, prototyping, phase development, having an executive champion the project, demonstration of software package, use analysis tools to demonstrate knowledge of clerks’ business processes, include clerks on the development team, have clerks meet with people in similar environments who have an automated system in place, etc.. Partial credit was given for training and other ideas, depending on the justification given. Each distinct recommendation was worth 5 points. #4 - Goal analysis. 1 point for each relevant action item listed, up to a maximum of 15. Credit was not given for action items listed in the wrong category (e.g., automation of manual task listed under “Flexibility”). In addition, up to 5 points were given for relevant context issues. Three of the context issues had to be:  maintainable by corporate I/S staff  must be finished in eight months or sooner  project cost must not exceed $250,000 Mid-Term Exam Key Notes Page 1 Systems Development – Mid-term Exam Name SAMPLE ANSWER Page 2 1. Sample Answer In the space below, draw a data flow diagram for sales processing for Rare Books as described by William Ellison. Your diagram should show all of the detail provided by Ellison that is appropriate for a data flow diagram . (25 points). Mid-Term Exam Key Notes Page 2 Systems Development – Mid-term Exam Name SAMPLE ANSWER Page 3 Project Planning Documentation System Preliminary Investigation Tasks for Rare Book Automation Project Symbols |-----| Scheduled Activity Analyst Signature |-----| Completed Activity Individual Mon. Oct. 22 to Wed. Nov. 7 M T W T F M T W T F Activity Assigned Initial Phase Interviewing I.1 Interview William I.2 Interview Users I.3 Generate List of Recommd I.4 Interview MIS Director I.5 Res Enterp. Infrastructure I.6 Res Enterprise Systems I.7 Final Enterprise Analysis I.8 Write Executive Summary System Research & Planning S-1 Deter System Objectives S-2 Deter System Constraints S-3 Determine Scope S-4 Project Planning S-5 Create Data Flow Diagrams S-6 Create Use Case Scripts S-7 Evaluate Risk S-8 Finalize Planning S-9 List PrioritizedRequiremnts Prototype Interface& Reports P-1 Create Screens P-2 Create I/O Procedure P-3 Create Reports P-4 Demo Prototype Review R-1 Obtain Mgr. Feedback R-2 Obtain User Feedback R-3 Modify Proposal as needed R-4 Obtain Mgr. Approval R-5 Finalize System Plan Team Team, Will All Team Con 1 Con 2 Con 3 Con 3 All All All Team Con1+2A/S Con2+A/S Con3+2A/S Team Team Con 1 Con 2 Con 3 Team Team, Will Team, A/S All All & Ted All ------ Page 1 of 1 Date 10/17/07 M T W ----- ----- -- -------------------------- Team=Con 1 + Con 2 + Con 3 All=Con 1 + Con 2 + Con 3 + 2 A/S clerks + William Mid-Term Exam Key Notes Page 3 Systems Development – Mid-term Exam Name SAMPLE ANSWER Page 4 3. The lead consultant is concerned about the lack of cooperation from the A/S clerks. What steps or techniques would you take to increase cooperation for the successful development of the proposed system? Base your recommendations on approaches described in the text and discussed in class. (25 points -- 5 points each recommendation) Recommendation 1: Use a JAD Requirements Planning and Analysis Workshop. Justification: Bring the A/S clerks into the process from the beginning. Must win them over by letting them input into the proposed system. They are impacted the most. Recommendation 2: Show a model or prototype of proposed system. Justification: Overcome their fear by showing them how easy to use it could be. They fear what they don’t know – so let them know about it. Recommendation 3: Invite clerks from other divisions of Book Place to explain the benefits of automation. Justification: Prove to A/S clerks that that automated systems can greatly increase speed, accuracy, and quality. Demonstrate how this system will make their lives easier. Recommendation 4: Invite President and Manager to relay importance. Justification: Let the Manager and President champion project. Make sure clerks know how important this is to the company. Recommendation 5: Offer incentives and bonuses if new system increases productivity. Justification: Tie the company's increased revenue to the clerk’s pocketbook. This way they will see the benefit of doubling revenue. Additional Valid Techniques (if adequately explained) include: Phase development, demonstration of software package, use analysis tools to demonstrate knowledge of clerks business processes, include clerks on the development team, etc. Mid-Term Exam Key Notes Page 4 Systems Development – Mid-term Exam Name SAMPLE ANSWER Page 5 4. Complete the Goal Analysis form below for the development of a sales acquisition processing system for Rare Books. For full credit include at least 15 action plan items and cover the full life cycle—not just preliminary investigation as required for the Gantt chart for Q2. Be specific about the Rare Books case. (25 points) Goal SQ Functionality     SQ Maintainability  Context and requirement issues System must be easy to use Must be easy to enter data * Must calculate information easily and correctly generate useful reports* Must accurately work with current system Must be maintained easily by corporate IS staff * Actions       Make user friendly, GUI screen Use automatic calculation when necessary to add convenience Have choice of reports that are easy to use Test product carefully Document how system was built or customized Check package software for maintainability issues Check if software package is easy to expand (scale up) Check feasibility of moving to client/server architecture Look for package software to save time Use outside consultants who have experience, will save time Package software might save a lot of money Consider using internal consultants to save money Use JAD session to get user input and gain acceptance Show prototypes so users can see how it works Must be user friendly Train users * Must automate to be done in fifteen minutes* Cut out duplication of paper by using soft copy* Make easy-to-use* Calculations can be automatic and entry easier so less error* An automated system could provide reports that would help improve resources decisions about customers and book orders Keep personal relationships while giving faster service Reduce time spent on ordering in order to raise revenues and be more competitive SQ Flexibility   PM Timeliness   Not a major issue since not high growth business** Make sure that system can be expanded if necessary Must be completed w/in 4 months*       PM Cost Must be no more than $150,000 including cost of 3 consultants* PM Client Commitment   Users have little computer experience outside web use Users do not want automation because of personal relationships with buyers*          OR Efficiency      Takes 2 hours for single book order Processing is labor intensive, time consuming, and error-prone * Needs to work well to reduce time* Less errors* OR Effectiveness Double the number of sales* OR Competitive Edge   Must keep Rare Book’s customers happy Not a big concern, but want to raise more revenues**   Mid-Term Exam Key Notes Page 5 Systems Development – Mid-term Exam Name SAMPLE ANSWER Page 6 #4b. – Alternate way to ask a “goal analysis question.” The sample answers below come from your understanding of a goal analysis. Note that both 4a and 4b would never BOTH be on the same exam. What goals should Rare Books have for this development project? What are the top 5 most important? The 2 least important. Include an action item for each of your 7 goals. Be specific about the situation at Rare Books. (25 points) Most Important Goal 1: Double the number of sales* Action: An automated system could provide reports that would help improve resource decisions about customers and book orders Most Important Goal 2: System must be easy to use* Action: Make user friendly, GUI screen. Use automatic calculation when necessary to add convenience. Have choice of reports that are easy to use. Provide extensive training. Most Important Goal 3: Must be maintained easily by corporate IS staff * Action: Test product carefully. Document how system was built or customized. Check package software for maintainability issues. Most Important Goal 4: Application must be completed w/in 4 months*. Action: Look for package software to save time. Use outside consultants who have experience, will save time Most Important Goal 5: Development cost must be no more than $150,000 including cost of 3 consultants Action: Package software might save a lot of money. Consider using internal consultants to save money. Least Important Goal 1: Flexibility or Scalability is not a major issue since not high growth business** Action: Check if software package is easy to expand (scale up). Least Important Goal 2: Competitive advantage is not a big concern, but want to raise more revenues** Action: Keep personal relationships while giving faster service. Reduce time spent on ordering in order to raise revenues and hence be more competitive. Mid-Term Exam Key Notes Page 6