Systems Analysis and Design Sixth Edition End of Chapter Solutions
CHAPTER ONE
I
NTRODUCTION TO
S
YSTEMS
A
NALYSIS AND
D
ESIGN
ANSWERS TO CASE-SIM: SCR ASSOCIATES
Introductory note: The SCR case study provides a valuable real-world experience for students. The case involves an imaginary IT consulting firm that maintains a realistic Web site, complete with a company intranet that students can access. The student becomes an entry-level systems analyst reporting to a supervisor named Jesse Baker.
In each session, the student receives e-mail messages, voice mail messages, and a list of tasks to perform. The voice mail all comes from Jesse Baker, and the e-mail messages come from Jesse Baker and other members of the firm. Each message contains guidance and direction that would be typical of a real-life situation. After reading the e-mail, listening to the voice messages, and consulting the task list, the rest is up to the student. He or she must go back to the chapter, review the terms, concepts, and skills, and then apply them in the context of the case study. Four main tasks occur in each session. A typical task might require the student to prepare an e-mail message, a memo, Internet research, or a graphic element such as a chart or diagram. The task list for Session 1 follows.
1. Investigate SCR’s Internet site and learn about the company’s history, purpose, and values.
Send Jesse a brief memo with suggestions to expand or improve these sections. The SCR Web site includes realistic features, content, and links that allow students to learn about the company and its background. Encourage students to find examples of other IT consulting firms and compare them to the SCR site. This task could tie into assignment 4, which requires Web research to find other firms. It would be helpful to get students interested in the SCR site’s design and navigation features before they start working on the case itself. Students