8. What are the three major components/tasks of the systems design phase of the SDLC?
Human-computer interface, databases and files, and processing and logic are the three major components.
9. What are the four options for system conversion? How do they differ from each other?
Parallel strategy has old and new systems used at the same time. Direct strategy is where the old system is discontinued one day, and the new is used on the next day. The phased strategy implements the new strategy over time. Pilot strategy is where the entire system is used in one location.
10. Compare and contrast the four types of systems maintenance.
Adaptive maintenance makes changes to an information system to make its functionality meet changes business needs or to migrate it to a different operating environment. Perfective maintenance makes enhancements to improve processing performance, to improve interface usability, or to add desired but not necessarily required system features. Preventative maintenance makes changes to a system to reduce the chance of future system failure. Corrective maintenance makes changes to an information system to repair flaws in its design, coding, or implementation.
11. What are the advantages and disadvantages of prototyping?
The advantages are imaginative ideas and brainstorming, the disadvantages can be a loss in cost benefit analysis, and never finding the right fit.
12. Define outsourcing and list three general types of outsourcing relationships.
Outsourcing is moving of routine jobs and tasks to people in another firm to reduce costs. The three general types of outsourcing relationships are basic, preferred, and strategic.
13. What are some of the reasons outsourcing is more popular than ever?
Some of the reasons are lower cost and better quality, pressures of IS suppliers, simplifying of IS, strengthening balance sheets by eliminating IT assets, and also organizational culture.
14. What are the three recommendations made in this chapter for managing an IS outsourcing relationship?
The book recommends having a strong chief information officer, clear performance measurements, and multiple levels of interface between the customer and outsourcer.
15. List and describe two main types of software licenses.
Shrink wrap licenses are activated when the shrink wrap has been on the packaging has been removed. Enterprise licenses are negotiated and include limitations of liability.