Mgmt 340 Week 1
Problems and Exercises
1. Why is it important to use systems analysis and design methodologies when building a system? Why not just build the system in whatever way seems to be “quick and easy”? What value is provided by using an “engineering” approach?
Methodologies, techniques, and tools help ensure the quality and appropriateness of the system being built. Following a systems methodology, applying techniques, and using appropriate tools provides structure to the systems development process, since they have been tested and perfected by others. The quick and easy approach to building systems may be easier, cheaper, and quicker in the short run, but it almost always results in a poorly developed system, meaning that the system will be less than optimal and require extra work to maintain. In the long run, a poorly developed system requires more time and money to make right. Following an engineering-type approach ensures that systems analysis and design is rigorous, structured, and systematic.
10. Compare Figures 1–10 and 1–11. What similarities and differences do you see?
Figure 1–11 illustrates an evolutionary model of the SDLC, and Figure 1–10 illustrates the circular nature of the systems development life cycle. While both figures convey the iterative nature of systems analysis and design, Figure 1–11 implies that we cycle through the systems development life cycle at varying levels of detail.
Case Problem
1. Pine Valley Furniture Case Exercises
a. How did Pine Valley Furniture go about developing its information systems? Why do you think the company chose this option? What other options were available?
As mentioned in the scenario, Pine Valley Furniture developed its applications in-house. Many reasons are plausible for why the company chose this option. The company may have had unique processing needs that required the system to be built in-house, as opposed to purchasing a prepackaged system. The company may also have viewed
1. Why is it important to use systems analysis and design methodologies when building a system? Why not just build the system in whatever way seems to be “quick and easy”? What value is provided by using an “engineering” approach?
Methodologies, techniques, and tools help ensure the quality and appropriateness of the system being built. Following a systems methodology, applying techniques, and using appropriate tools provides structure to the systems development process, since they have been tested and perfected by others. The quick and easy approach to building systems may be easier, cheaper, and quicker in the short run, but it almost always results in a poorly developed system, meaning that the system will be less than optimal and require extra work to maintain. In the long run, a poorly developed system requires more time and money to make right. Following an engineering-type approach ensures that systems analysis and design is rigorous, structured, and systematic.
10. Compare Figures 1–10 and 1–11. What similarities and differences do you see?
Figure 1–11 illustrates an evolutionary model of the SDLC, and Figure 1–10 illustrates the circular nature of the systems development life cycle. While both figures convey the iterative nature of systems analysis and design, Figure 1–11 implies that we cycle through the systems development life cycle at varying levels of detail.
Case Problem
1. Pine Valley Furniture Case Exercises
a. How did Pine Valley Furniture go about developing its information systems? Why do you think the company chose this option? What other options were available?
As mentioned in the scenario, Pine Valley Furniture developed its applications in-house. Many reasons are plausible for why the company chose this option. The company may have had unique processing needs that required the system to be built in-house, as opposed to purchasing a prepackaged system. The company may also have viewed