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Chapter 12 Systems Design

True/False Questions

1. In systems analysis the analyst specifies the detailed computer-based solution.

Answer: False Rationale: This is system design, not systems analysis.

2. Systems analysis emphasizes the business problem; systems design focuses on the technical or implementation concerns of the system.

Answer: True

3. Data-driven design emphasizes the drawing of pictorial system models to document the technical or implementation aspects of a system.

Answer: False Rationale: This is model-driven design.

4. Modern structured design, information engineering, and object-oriented design are examples of model-driven approaches.

Answer: True

5. Modern structured design is a process-oriented technique for breaking up a large program into a hierarchy of modules resulting in computer programs that are easier to implement and maintain.

Answer: True

6. Synonyms for modern structured design are: top-down program design and structured programming.

Answer: True

7. Structured design is currently the most popular system design method.

Answer: False Rationale: Structured design has lost some of its popularity with many of today's object-oriented applications.

8. Structured design is considered a process-oriented technique because its emphasis is on the process building blocks in our information system.

Answer: True

9. Structured design seeks to factor a program into the top-down hierarchy of modules that have the following properties - (1) modules should be highly cohesive; and (2) modules should be loosely coupled.

Answer: True

10. When modules are highly cohesive, each module should accomplish one and only one function. This makes the modules reusable in future programs.

Answer: True

11. When modules are tightly coupled, modules are minimally dependent on one another. This minimizes the effect that future changes in one module will have on other modules.

Answer: False Rationale: When modules are loosely coupled, modules are minimally dependent on one another. This minimizes the effect that future changes in one module will have on other modules.

12. The structure chart is derived by studying the flow of data through the program. Structured design is performed during systems design.

Answer: True

13. Information engineering (IE) is a model-driven and data-centered, but process-sensitive, technique to plan, analyze, and design information systems.

Answer: True

14. The primary tool of information engineering is the data model diagram (also known as the entity-relationship diagram).

Answer: True Page: 447-448

15. The prototyping approach is an iterative process involving a close working relationship between the designer and the users where a working, programmed model of the system is used to facilitate the specification of the design.

Answer: True Page: 449

16. An advantage of prototyping is that it encourages and requires active end-user participation. This increases end-user morale and support for the project.


17. A disadvantage of prototyping is that it encourages and requires active end-user participation.

Answer: False Page: 449 Rationale: This is an advantage.

18. An advantage of prototyping is that iteration and change are a natural consequence of systems development. End-users tend to change their minds. Prototyping better fits this natural situation because it assumes that a prototype evolves, through iteration, into the required system.


19. An advantage of prototyping is that it helps end-users to visualize how a system will work, and hence help them to more fully know their requirements.


20. An advantage of prototypes is that an approved prototype is a working equivalent to a paper design specification, with one exception - errors can be detected much earlier.


21. An advantage of prototyping is that creativity can increase because it allows for quicker user feedback, which can lead to better solutions.


22. A disadvantage of prototyping is that creativity can decrease because it allows for slower user feedback, which can lead to delayed solutions.

Answer: False Page: 449 Rationale: An advantage of prototyping is that creativity can increase because it allows for quicker user feedback, which can lead to better solutions.

23. A disadvantage of prototyping is that it encourages a return to the "code, implement, and repair" life cycle that used to dominate information systems.

Answer: True

24. An advantage of prototyping is that it encourages a return to the "code, implement, and repair" life cycle that used to dominate information systems.

Answer: False Rationale: A disadvantage of prototyping is that it encourages a return to the "code, implement, and repair" life cycle that used to dominate information systems.

25. With prototyping there is no need for the systems analysis phases.

Answer: False Rationale: Prototyping does not negate the need for the systems analysis phases.

26. System design is also called logical design.

Answer: False Rationale: System design is also called physical design.

27. A disadvantage of prototyping is that you cannot completely substitute any prototype for a paper specification. No engineer would prototype an engine without some paper design. Yet many information systems professionals try to prototype without a specification. Prototyping should be used to complement, not replace, other methodologies. The level of detail required of the paper design may be reduced, but it is not eliminated.

Answer: True

28. Prototyping does not address numerous design issues. These issues can inadvertently be forgotten if you are not careful.

Answer: True

29. Prototyping completely addresses design issues and helps you to remember all of them in detail.

Answer: False Rationale: A disadvantage of prototyping is that numerous design issues may not be addressed. These issues can inadvertently be forgotten if you are not careful.

30. Prototyping is that it often leads to a premature commitment to a design (usually the first one implemented).

Answer: True

31. A disadvantage of prototyping is that the scope and complexity of the system can quickly expand beyond original plans. This can easily get out of control.

Answer: True

32. Prototyping helps keep the scope and complexity of the system project under control.

Answer: False Rationale: A disadvantage of prototyping is that the scope and complexity of the system can quickly expand beyond original plans. This can easily get out of control.

33. A disadvantage of prototyping is that it can reduce creativity in designs.

Answer: True

34. A disadvantage of prototypes is that they often suffer from slower performance than their third generation counterparts.

Answer: True

35. Prototypes can be built for simple outputs, computer dialogues, key functions, entire subsystems or even the entire system.

Answer: True

36. Prototypes can only be built to simulate the user dialogue with the system.

Answer: False Rationale: Prototypes can be built for simple outputs, computer dialogues, key functions, entire subsystems or even the entire system.

37. Object technologies and techniques are an attempt to eliminate the separation of concerns about data and process.

Answer: True

38. Rapid application development (RAD) is the merger of various structured techniques (especially the data-driven information engineering) with prototyping techniques and joint application development techniques to accelerate systems development.

Answer: True

39. Rapid application development calls for the interactive use of structured techniques and prototyping to define the users' requirements and design the final system.

Answer: True

40. Joint application development (JAD) is a technique that complements other systems analysis and design techniques by emphasizing participative development among system owners, users, designers and builders.

Answer: True

41. An application architecture defines the technologies to be used by (and used to build) one, more, or all information systems in terms of its data, processes, interfaces and network components.

Answer: True

42. An application architecture is a rapid application development technique that is used to draw data-flow diagrams automatically using the same kind of drawing tools used by architects.

Answer: False Rationale: An application architecture defines the technologies to be used by (and used to build) one, more, or all information systems in terms of its data, processes, interfaces and network components.

43. The logical data flow diagram (LDFD) is used to establish the physical processes and data stores across a network using Boolean logic.

Answer: False Page: 455 Rationale: The physical data flow diagram (PDFD) is used to establish the physical processes and data stores across a network.

44. A database schema is the representation of scenarios of data use and activities so that the actor can specify the database necessary for the application.

Answer: False Page: 457 Rationale: A database schema is the structural model for a database. It is a picture or map of the records and relationships to be implemented by the database.

45. Once the database has been designed and possibly a prototype built, the systems designer can work closely with system users to develop input, output, and dialogue specifications.


46. Databases should be shared resources.


47. Each application should implement its own database, independent of the other applications used by a firm.

Answer: False Page: 457 Rationale: Databases should be shared resources.

48. Issues to be addressed during database design include: data structures and their impact on performance and flexibility; record size and storage volume requirements; internal controls to ensure proper security and disaster recovery techniques.


49. For interface or dialogue design, the designer must consider such factors as terminal familiarity, possible errors and misunderstandings that the end-user may have or may encounter; the need for additional instructions or help at certain points, and screen content and layout.


50. The final design task involves packaging all the specifications from the previous design tasks into a set of specifications that will guide the computer programmer's activities during the construction phase of the systems development methodology.


51. System owners should get a final chance to question the project's feasibility and to determine whether the project should be adjusted, terminated, or approved to proceed to construction.


52. The company may have an audit staff, responsible for insuring the integrity of the internal controls in a new system before construction.


53. It is more common for a project manager to make design specifications available via a shared repository than to provide each individual developer with a copy of a printed set of organized specifications.


54. At the completion of the design phase, analysts and system owners should consider the possibility that, based on the completed design work, the overall project schedule, cost estimates, and other estimates may need to be adjusted.

Answer: True

55. The most notable differences between the "buy" versus in-house development projects is the inclusion of a new procurement phase and a special decision analysis phase to address software and services.

Answer: True

56. In the procurement phase, the first task is to research technical alternatives. This identifies specifications that are important to the software and/or hardware that is to be selected. These requirements specify the functionality, features, and critical performance parameters.

Answer: True

57. The request for proposal (RFP) is used when several different vendors and/or products are candidates and you want to solicit competitive proposals and quotes. Its purpose is to communicate requirements and desired features to prospective vendors.


58. The request for proposal (RFP) is used when you have already decided on the specific product, but that product can be acquired from different distributors.

Answer: False Page: 463 Rationale: This is the request for quotation (RFQ)

Multiple Choice Questions

59. Which of the following is a purpose of the procurement and decision analysis phase? A) Identify and research specific products that could support our recommended

solution for the target information system. B) Solicit, evaluate, and rank vendor proposals. C) Select and recommend the best vendor proposal. D) Contract with the awarded vendor to obtain the product. E) All of these

Answer: E

60. Which of the following is NOT a purpose of the procurement and decision analysis phase? A) Identify and research specific products that could support our recommended

solution for the target information system. B) Solicit, evaluate, and rank vendor proposals. C) Reverse engineer and draw system models for each of the vendors' proposals. D) Contract with the awarded vendor to obtain the product. E) None of these

Answer: C

61. In the procurement phase, which of the following is a resource used to conduct research on the technical alternatives? A) technical and professional journals B) internal standards C) information services D) trade newspapers and periodicals E) all of these

Answer: E Page: 462-463

62. Which of the following emphasizes the drawing of pictorial system models to document the technical or implementation aspects of a new system? A) model-driven design B) rapid application development C) joint application development D) both rapid application development and joint application design E) none of these

Answer: A

63. Which of the following are examples of model-driven approaches? A) structured design, rapid application development, CASE B) information engineering, CASE, joint application design C) object-oriented design, joint application, and rapid application development D) structured design, information engineering and object-oriented design E) none of these

Answer: D Page: 447-450

64. Structured design seeks to factor a program into the top-down hierarchy of modules that have the following properties: A) loosely cohesive and highly coupled B) loosely cohesive and loosely coupled C) highly cohesive and highly coupled D) highly cohesive and loosely coupled E) none of these

Answer: D

65. A model-driven and data-centered, but process-sensitive technique to plan, analyze and design information systems is known as: A) prototyping B) information engineering C) reverse engineering D) business process re-engineering E) none of these

Answer: B Page: 447-448

66. A structure chart: A) is derived by studying the flow of data through the program B) is created during systems design C) does not address all aspects of design D) is the software model derived from structured design E) all of these

Answer: E

67. Which of the following is an advantage of prototyping? A) It leads to early commitment to a design (usually the first design that is

developed). B) It negates the need for the systems analysis phases. C) It addresses most, if not all, of the design issues. D) It can increase creativity because it allows for quicker user feedback, which can

lead to better solutions. E) none of these

Answer: D

68. Which of the following is an advantage of prototyping? A) It encourages and requires active end-user participation. B) It negates the need for the systems analysis phases. C) It helps keep the scope and complexity of the system under control. D) It can increase creativity because it encourages analysts, designers and end-users

to look for better solutions. E) none of these

Answer: A

69. Which of the following is an advantage of prototyping? A) Prototypes are an active, not passive, model that end-users can see, touch, feel and

experience. B) Prototyping can increase creativity because it allows for quicker user feedback,

which can lead to better solutions. C) Prototyping accelerates several phases of the life cycle. D) Iteration and change are a natural consequence of systems development.

Prototyping better fits this natural situation because it assumes that a prototype evolves.

E) all of these

Answer: E

70. Which of the following is a disadvantage of prototyping? A) Prototyping encourages a return to the "code, implement and repair" life cycle. B) Prototypes are a passive model of the system. C) End-users don't fully understand their requirements until they see them

implemented. D) Errors cannot be detected as easily when a prototype is developed. E) none of these

Answer: A

71. Which of the following is a disadvantage of prototyping? A) Numerous design issues are not addressed by prototyping. B) Prototyping does not negate the need for systems analysis phases. C) The scope and complexity of the system can quickly get out of control. D) A prototype cannot completely substitute for a paper specification. E) all of these

Answer: E

72. Which of the following is a disadvantage of prototyping? A) It discourages the incorporation of changes into the design. B) It is a working equivalent of a paper design specification. C) It discourages end-user participation in the design process. D) It does not negate the need for the systems analysis phases. E) none of these

Answer: D

73. The merger of various structured techniques (especially data-driven information engineering) with prototyping techniques and joint application techniques to accelerate systems development is known as: A) application architecture B) object-oriented design C) model-driven design D) rapid application development E) none of these

Answer: D

74. Which technique emphasizes the participative development among system owners, users, designers, and builders? A) rapid application development B) joint application development C) application architecture D) both rapid application development and joint application development E) none of these

Answer: D

75. What defines the technologies to be used by (and used to build) one, more, or all information systems in terms of their data, processes, interfaces and network components? A) rapid application development B) object-oriented design C) application architecture D) prototyping E) none of these

Answer: C

76. When you have already decided on the specific product, but that product can be acquired from different vendors or distributors, what would you use to solicit a proposal from a vendor? A) request for proposal (RFP) B) request for quotation (RFQ) C) request for specification (RFS) D) request for design (RFD) E) none of these

Answer: B Page: 463

77. When several different vendors and/or products are candidates and you want to solicit competitive proposals and quotes, what would you use? A) request for proposal (RFP) B) request for quotation (RFQ) C) request for specification (RFS) D) request for design (RFD) E) none of these

Answer: A Page: 463

Fill in the Blank Questions

78. Systems ______________________ emphasizes the business problem; systems _______________________ focuses on the technical or implementation concerns of the system.

Answer: analysis; design

79. __________________________ design emphasizes the drawing of pictorial system models to document the technical or implementation aspects of a system.

Answer: Model-driven

80. Structured design, information engineering, and object-oriented design are examples of __________________________________ approaches.

Answer: model-driven

81. ______________________________________________ is a process-oriented technique for breaking up a large program into a hierarchy of modules that result in computer programs that are easier to implement and maintain.

Answer: (Modern) structured design

82. _____________________________ seeks to factor a program into the top-down hierarchy of modules that have the following properties - (1) modules should be highly cohesive; and (2) modules should be loosely coupled.

Answer: Structured design

83. Structured design seeks to factor a program into the top-down hierarchy of modules that have the following properties - (1) modules should be __________________ cohesive; and (2) modules should be ______________________ coupled.

Answer: highly, loosely

84. When modules are ________________, each module should accomplish one (and only one) function. This makes the modules reusable in future programs.

Answer: highly cohesive

85. When modules are _______________, modules are minimally dependent on one another. This minimizes the effect that future changes in one module will have on other modules.

Answer: loosely coupled

86. When modules are highly cohesive each module should accomplish one and only one function. This makes the modules _____________ in future programs.

Answer: reusable

87. When modules are loosely coupled modules are minimally dependent on one another. This minimizes the effect that ______________ in one module will have on other modules.

Answer: future changes Page: 473

88. The software model derived from structured design is called a(n) __________________________. It is derived by studying the flow of data through the program.

Answer: structure chart

89. ___________________________________ is a model-driven and data-centered, but process-sensitive, technique to plan, analyze, and design information systems.

Answer: Information engineering (IE) Page: 447-448

90. The primary tool of information engineering is the ___________________________ (also known as the entity-relationship diagram).

Answer: data model diagram Page: 447-448

91. The ____________________________ approach is an iterative process involving a close working relationship between the designer and the users where a working, programmed model of the system is used to facilitate the specification of the design.

Answer: prototyping Page: 448-449

92. A(n) ___________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that it encourages and requires active end-user participation. This increases end-user morale and support for the project.

Answer: advantage

93. A(n) ____________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that iteration and change are a natural consequence of systems development. End-users tend to change their minds. Prototyping better fits this natural situation because it assumes that a prototype evolves, through iteration, into the required system.

Answer: advantage

94. A(n) ________________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototypes is that they are an active, not passive, model that end-users can see, touch, feel and experience.

Answer: advantage

95. A(n) ___________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototypes is that an approved prototype is a working equivalent to a paper design specification, with one exception - errors can be detected much earlier.

Answer: advantage

96. A(n) ____________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that creativity can increase because it allows for quicker user feedback, which can lead to better solutions.

Answer: advantage

97. A(n) _______________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that it can accelerate several phases of the life cycle, possibly bypassing the programmer. It consolidates parts of phases that normally occur one after the other.

Answer: advantage

98. A(n) _______________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that it encourages a return to the "code, implement, and repair" life cycle that used to dominate information systems.

Answer: disadvantage

99. A(n) ________________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that it does not negate the need for the systems analysis phases. A prototype can just as easily solve the wrong problems and opportunities as a conventionally developed system.


100. A(n) _______________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that you cannot completely substitute any prototype for a paper specification. No engineer would prototype an engine without some paper design. Yet many information systems professionals try to prototype without a specification. Prototyping should be used to complement, not replace, other methodologies. The level of detail required of the paper design may be reduced, but it is not eliminated.


101. A(n) _______________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that numerous design issues are not addressed. These issues can inadvertently be forgotten if you are not careful.


102. A(n) _______________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that it often leads to a premature commitment to a design (usually the first one implemented).


103. A(n) ______________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototyping is that it can reduce creativity in designs. The very nature of any implementation - for instance, a prototype of a report - can prevent analysis, designers and end-users from looking for better solutions.


104. A(n) ______________________________ (advantage or disadvantage) of prototypes is that they often suffer from slower performance than their third generation counterparts.


105. Prototypes can be quickly developed using many of the 4GLs and _______________________________________ languages available today.

Answer: object-oriented programming

106. _______________________ technologies and techniques are an attempt to eliminate the separation of concerns about data and process.

Answer: Object or object-oriented

107. ______________________________ techniques are used to refine the object requirements definitions identified earlier during analysis, and to define and design specific objects.

Answer: Object-oriented design (OOD)

108. ___________________________________________ is the merger of various structured techniques (especially the data-driven information engineering) with prototyping techniques and joint application development techniques to accelerate systems development.

Answer: Rapid application development (RAD)

109. ______________________________________ calls for the interactive use of structured techniques and prototyping to define the users' requirements and design the final system.

Answer: Rapid application development (RAD)

110. _________________________________is a technique that complements other systems analysis and design techniques by emphasizing participative development among system owners, users, designers and builders.

Answer: Joint application development (JAD)

111. A(n) ________________________________ defines the technologies to be used by (and used to build) one, more, or all information systems in terms of their data, processes, interfaces and network components.

Answer: application architecture

112. The _______________________________ is used to establish the physical processes and data stores across a network.

Answer: physical data flow diagram (PDFD) Page: 455

113. A(n) _______________________________ is the structural model for a database. It is a picture or map of the records and relationships to be implemented by the database.

Answer: database schema Page: 457

114. In the ____________________________, the first task is to research technical alternatives.

Answer: procurement phase

115. The ________________________________ is used when you have already decided on the specific product, but that product can be acquired from different distributors.

Answer: request for quotation (RFQ) Page: 463

116. The _______________________________ is used when several different vendors and/or products are candidates and you want to solicit competitive proposals and quotes. Its purpose is to communicate requirements and desired features to prospective vendors.

Answer: request for proposal (RFP) Page: 463

117. In-house development is often called the _______________ solution.

Answer: build

118. Integrating commercial software is often called the _______________ solution.

Answer: buy

119. The ____________________________ identifies specifications that are important to the software and/or hardware that is to be selected.


120. The second task of the ____________________ is to solicit proposals from vendors.


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