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© Institute for the Management of Information Systems - D2005.
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DIPLOMA
INFORMATION SYSTEMS BUILDING
(D 26)
WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2005
TIME: 14.00 –17.00 HOURS
DURATION: 3 HOURS
Candidates should attempt FIVE questions only. Clearly cross out
‘surplus’ answers; failure to do so will result in the first 5 answers being
marked.
No reference material of any kind may be taken into the examination.
[Turn over]
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Candidates should attempt FIVE questions only. Clearly cross out
‘surplus’ answers; failure to do so will result in the first 5 answers being
marked.
Question 1.
a) Briefly describe the stages involved in a systems development cycle,
starting with the original identification of the problem by management
and ending with a report back on successful (or otherwise)
implementation. (12 marks)
b) List up to FOUR skills that the systems analyst would be expected to
employ during this cycle. ( 4 marks)
c) Indicate up to FOUR major human problems likely to be encountered
by the systems analyst. ( 4 marks)
(Total 20 marks)
Question 2.
a) Following investigation with your users, it has been decided that a new
customer order form must contain the following items of data:-
Part number Quantity
Department code Part description
Unit price Total to pay
Initial deposit paid Price per part type ordered
Balance to pay Date
Delivery or collection Customer signature
Salesman name Salesman number
Customer details Branch details
Design a suitable customer order form aimed at capturing this data.
(14 marks)
b) In order to prepare a good workable document, the systems analyst
would need to obtain further information about the data items listed
above. List SIX further questions that the analyst might usefully ask
the user about these data items. ( 6 marks)
(Total 20 marks)
[Turn over]
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Question 3.
a) Explain what is meant by the term 'structured methods or
methodologies'. ( 5 marks)
b) Explain how structured methods help address any possible problems
that might be experienced in the following areas of system
development:-
Communication.
Project Control.
Quality Control.
(15 marks)
(Total 20 marks)
Question 4.
As systems design reaches its conclusion, a workable plan for the introduction of
the system into the business environment must be developed and approved.
a) Describe the activities you would consider for inclusion in your
implementation plan and how it would be presented. ( 8 marks)
b) What methods of system changeover could be employed to achieve
the implementation of the system? ( 4 marks)
c) Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the changeover
methods identified. ( 8 marks)
(Total 20 marks)
[Turn over]
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Question 5.
Project leaders in a company are allowed to make requisitions for articles they
require using the form described below. Each project has a unique code and the
requisitions are allocated a serial number which is unique within the project only.
All items have a unique item code and must be described according to the
description in the company processing manual which also contains their price.
Every requisition must have an entry in the box ‘Reasons required’ explaining
why these items are being requisitioned.
Project code……….. Project Name………….
Requisition number……….
Requisition date……………
Reasons items are required
Item code no.
Item Description
Price
Requisition total
a) Show how the above data may be represented in 1st Normal form,
demonstrating how you achieve this. ( 8 marks)
b) Explain why it is considered useful to apply the rules of normalisation
to data in systems analysis and design. (12 marks)
(Total 20 marks)
Question 6.
a) Best Television Services Ltd rent television sets. Customers book
rentals through various sales offices, each customer being assigned to
a service depot nearest to the customer’s home address. Each sales
office arranges delivery of TV sets for its customers from a designated
warehouse, each sales office servicing a number of warehouses. All
warehouses carry a complete range of of TV models. Construct an
ERD (Entity Relationship Diagram) based upon the above information.
(10 marks)
b) Implementation of a new computer system has been defined as the
task of putting into practice what has thus far been essentially a
theoretical design exercise.
Discuss the validity of the above statement in the light of increasing
use of the prototyping technique. (10 marks)
(Total 20 marks)
[Turn over]
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Question 7.
Further to the above scenario in Question 6 part a) and to arrange a contract, on
receipt of an enquiry from a prospective customer, the sales office will raise a
proposal and keep it in a prospective contracts file until credit authorisation is
received from a credit agency. On receipt of the credit authorisation the sales
office retrieves the proposal and raises a contract which is sent to the customer.
If the contract is accepted, the customer signs the contract, keeps one copy and
sends two copies back to the accounts department who create an account card
for the customer which is filed on the customer accounts file. One copy of the
contract is filed in a contracts file while the third copy is returned to the sales
office. On receipt of the contract, the sales office raises a despatch note
requesting the appropriate warehouse to despatch the required TV model to the
customer, filing the contract in the outstanding requests file. On despatch of the
TV the accounts department receives from the warehouse a confirmed despatch
note, the contract is retrieved and an account is started for the customer, adding
TV serial number and payment day to his account card. The customer is sent a
payment book. The contract is then refiled on the contracts file.
Construct a Data Flow Diagram for the Contract procedure described above.
(Total 20 marks)
Question 8.
You are employed as an analyst by a large car manufacturer. A project has just
commenced to which you have been assigned.
The investigation stage of the project has been started and previous fact finding
interviews have been well documented.
When you go to see some people who have not previously been interviewed you
find them hostile and unhelpful.
a) Identify up to EIGHT possible causes of their hostility. ( 8 marks)
b) For EACH possible cause, explain what is the appropriate action to
take to overcome the difficulty during the analysis and design phases
of the project. ( 8 marks)
c) What strategy would you adopt to ensure motivation and commitment
from the users during implementation. ( 4 marks)
(Total 20 marks)
END OF EXAMINATION.
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D 26 –INFORMATION SYSTEMS BUILDING DECEMBER 2005
SOLUTIONS & MARKING SCHEME.
Question 1 answer.
a) Stages
These will vary slightly but should encompass:-
Project Initiation/definition.
Feasibility.
Analysis.
Design.
Implementation.
Production.
Post Implementation review.
2 marks for each stage to 12, some mention of each stage content should be
made.
b) Skills/techniques
Interviewing, observation, questionnaire, document search, sampling,
estimating, DFD, ERD, ELH, presenting skills, walkthroughs etc.
1 mark each point to 4.
c) Human Problems
Fear, suspicion, reticence, lack of commitment, computer/business naiveté,
obstructionism etc.
1 mark each point to 4.
(Total 20 marks)
Question 2 answer.
a) Design will vary from individual to individual. Credit should be given for clarity
of layout. Suggested marking scheme is as follows:-
 Customer details broken down into name, address, telephone number.
2 marks.
 Branch details as above. 2 marks.
 Suitable heading. 2 marks.
 Balance of marks to be allocated on basis of layout and
content and recognition of multiple lines.
8 marks.
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b) Size of fields.
Positioning of address for possible window envelope.
Final filing arrangements.
All fields necessary.
Number of items per page.
Length/lines of address.
Codes-number/alpha/both.
Number of items usually per page.
Any other relevant point accepted.
1 mark each to a maximum of 6.
(Total 20 marks)
Question 3 answer.
a) Structured methods are essentially collections of models, techniques and
procedures showing the process of systems development. They define a
systems development method showing where standard models and other
deliverables fit into the development life cycle. SSADM is a typical method...it
includes both
STRUCTURE ..describing the framework of the methodology in terms of
modules, stages and steps
TECHNIQUES..such as data flow diagrams defining how the steps are carried
out.
Up to 5 marks for valid description.
b) Communication... this is achieved through the use of graphical logical models.
These represent the blueprint of the system and most methods require e.g.
users to acknowledge their understanding and acceptance of the models by
formal sign off. The issue of communication was one of the main reasons for
the original development of structured methods. Narrative text was tedious to
write and read as well as being ambiguous.
Project control... structured methods normally define which deliverables have
to be completed to finish a stage or step. The progress of the project can be
monitored by the delivery of these models against the required set. The stage
or step is only completed when all the deliverables have been accepted and
met their quality criteria.
Quality Control... each model has a set of defined quality criteria. For example
a DFD must have each process uniquely named and a store cannot be
connected to an external entity. Conformance to these quality criteria is
checked by standards staff or internal auditors.
Up to 5 marks each description.
(Total 20 marks)
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Question 4 answer.
a) A wide range of activities is to be expected.
Typically they should encompass:-
 Continued analysis and design.
 Coding.
 Testing (unit/program/link/system/user acceptance testing).
 Site preparation.
 Hardware/software acquisition.
 Data conversion/take-on.
 Education/training.
 Documentation.
1 mark each point to a maximum of 8.
(2 marks if testing is broken down to the various categories).
b) Immediate cutover/Direct/big bang-close down old, commence with new.
Parallel changeover-two systems run side by side for agreed period of time.
Pilot-testing of full system functionality in one area before full roll out.
Phased-roll out of functionality in increments.
1 mark for identification and description to 4.
c) Immediate/Direct, quick, cheap, risky.
Parallel, expensive, time-consuming, safe, heavy workload.
Pilot, safe, possibly time-consuming.
Phased, time-consuming before full functionality achieved.
2 marks each method to a maximum of 8.
(Total 20 marks)
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Question 5 answer.
a) Normalisation
Un Normalised 1st Normal form
Project code Project code
Project name Project name
Requisition no.
Reasons items Project code
required
Requisition date Requisition no
Item code no. Requisition date
Item description Reasons
Price Requisition total
Requisition total
Project code
Requisition no.
Item code
Item description
Price
Up to 8 marks for 1st normal form.
b) Reasons
To eliminate data duplication.
To obtain alternative view of the data.
To better understand data semantics.
To assist in creating record structures.
4 marks for identification of each reason and brief description.
12 marks in total.
(Total 20 marks)
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Question 6 answer.
a) See attached sheet (Page 6) for suggested answer.
10 marks
b) Discussion must centre on the development of fourth generation languages
and prototyping, and hence the greater involvement of users in the system life
cycle.
Advantages given should include:-
 users gain experience and technical knowledge.
 can be used as a fact finding device.
 generates commitment to new system.
 provides a means of training.
 reduces development time.
 can accommodate changing requirements.
 helps break down barriers between user/developer. 10 marks
(Total 20 marks)
Question 7 answer.
See attachment diagram (Page 7) for suggested answer. (Total 20 marks)
Question 8 answer.
a) Reasons attributable to analyst, personality, interference etc.
Reasons attributable to organisation, salary, environment etc.
Reasons attributable to management, dislike, interference etc.
Reasons attributable to structure, position, salary etc.
Also fear of new/unknown, resistance to change, lack of willingness to
participate as change out of their control
1 mark each valid point to 8.
b) Obtain management support and proper introduction for project and analyst.
Plan and conduct interview with correct attitude and technique.
Obtain use involvement in analysis and definition of proposed system.
1 mark each valid point to 8.
c) Job definition to obtain task enrichment and hence satisfaction.
User involvement in implementation planning.
Suitable training to develop techniques and confidence.
Testing involvement to gain commitment.
4 marks.
(Total 20 marks)
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Reading References
Main course text: [1] Hawryszkiewycz I (2001)
Introduction to Systems Analysis & Design (5th Ed)
Pearson Education
ISBN: 1740092805
Secondary text:: [2] Bocij, Chaffey, Greasley & Hickie (2003)
Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and
Management for the e-business (2nd Ed..)
Prentice Hall
ISBN: 027365540X
Q1 a) L02 Ch.5
b) L08 Ch.1
c) L08 Ch.1
Q2 a)&b) L06 Ch.14
Q3 a)&b) L02/03/05 Ch.13
Q4 L011 [2] Ch.12
Q5 L06 Ch.15
Q6 a) LO5 [2] Ch.9
b) LO10 [2] Ch.4/5
Q7 L05 Ch.9
Q8 L010 Ch.14
NB. Main course text used in the main, except where indicated as [2] above.