MIS 2000, Winter/Spring 2016
Final Exam Preparations
The final exam will cover classes 11-23 and chapters 10-18 (two classes have no chapters but just slides, expect some coverage from these as well). Note that the exam is officially cumulative and this limiting of coverage is intended for helping you to achieve a higher level knowledge.
Keep in mind, however, that process design and performance in relation to information systems and to organizational performance (the process management model) is still important (for example, it directly ties into economics of IS, the last topic in the course). Schema and its relational database background are also important to review, since there will be a schema diagramming question and a few questions about schema. Also, the concepts of process diagramming are important for the process diagramming question.
The final exam is comparable to the midterm exam in terms of question types, and size. There will be Multiple Choice & True/False question (up to 35), Short Answer questions (6) and Diagramming questions (one process, and one data diagram).
Please go over the midterm exam instructions that apply to the final as well. Also, make sure to check your midterm exam along with the solution/marking key. The solutions is posted in your D2L account and password-protected (check your email at D2L, if you forgot the password for the solution/marking key file).
Check the Concepts list for the topical coverage of the exam. Also, go over the assignments and solutions; these files are password-protected and the password was sent to you via D2L email.
Below are short answer questions for your practice, which were used in previous exams.
ShortAnswer Questions
1. Defineknowledge work system, provide one additional detail about it, and list twobenefits associated with it (4 marks)
- KWS is a type of IS that support knowledge worker (or professionals). Or, KWS is system used in knowledge management.
- A detail can be example of KWS (An example of KWS is expert system); or example of its functionality (a KWS can store knowledge representations); etc.
- A benefit for KWS is that knowledge is preserved for future use. Another benefit is that knowledge can be shared more efficiently in a company.
2. Define e-commerce, and give one example of it clearly indicating an appropriate IS used in
e-commerce. In addition, list two benefits and two costs associated with e-commerce. (4 marks)
- E-commerce refers to conducting business transactions electronically (or by usingcomputer networks and IS).
- An IS for customer profiling (e-payment, clickstream tracking, electronic data interchange, etc.) can be used in e-commerce.
- Benefits: 24/7 business, customization of offerings.
- Costs: for firms costs are in increased competition, continuous investment in technology, etc.
3. Name and definetwosteps in the process of IS adoption, and for each specify what managers can do to facilitate adoption. (4 marks)
One step in Rogers’s adoption process is awareness, when a potential user gets informed about a new IS. Managers can spread the news about the system(or about its benefits).
Another step is interest, when a potential user takes action to explore a system. Manager can make the system available for trial use (or allow employees a part of business time for exploring the system).
4. Namea methodology of system development, and give an additional detail of it.
One methodology of system development is waterfallmethodology, in which each development activities are lined up in certain periods lined up in a sequence.
Waterfall methodology organizes development tasks into a formal process; or it defines systems development as a sequence of phases, or it increases control over system development, or it may be too long and deliver obsolete systems (disadvantages). Listing the phases (steps) also earns full credit.
5. Define and compare on two counts (aspects) two quantitative methods of assessing IS economy (the value of IS).
The benefit/cost ratio is a method of assessing the proportion between returns from an IS and the investment in the IS.
Return on investment is a method of assessing when the returns from an IS will get bigger than its total costs (or when an IS will start paying back).
Differences:
- The benefit/cost ratio operates with the direct costs of system development, while the return on investment operates with both development and operating costs.
- The return on investment uses present value of money, while the benefit/cost ratio does not.
6. Define three characteristics of organizational communication as opposed to everyday communication.
Organizational communication is more formal than everyday communication (or is regulated by rules).
Organizational communication needs to comply with organizational culture.
Organizational communication is usually documented (stored permanently).
Organizational communication is used for issuing management orders.
Organizational communication is used for reporting to managers. (…)
7. Define communication system and provide an additional detail about it.
Communication system uses devices on the sender and receiver side and a network connecting these two.
A detail can be a diagram or a specification of use (a CS is used for reporting up the hierarchy or for ordering down the hierarchy).
8. Discuss Project Management System by placing it in an appropriate typology, specifying its functionality, and indicating the part of team life process it supports. (3 marks)
Typology (1): Project Management Systemis a kind of group support system.
Functionality (1): Project Management System supports sharing of project documentation, tracking of project work, time, and budget. (Just naming a system correctly with no functionality specification= 0.5 marks).
Or, PMSat Boeing-Rocketdyne (Internet Notebook) stored design documentation, sent email notifications on project progress, and maintained hypertext links on useful learning sources.
Or, PMS at Protegra supports planning and execution of team projects.
Team life phase (1): PMS supports teams in the performing phase of their life process.
NOTE: IN GENERAL, LOOK AT THE CASES USED IN THE COURSE AS THESE ARE SOURCES OF EXAMPLES AND OTHER ADDITIONAL DETAILS, PLUS MAY BE EASIER TO REMEMBER THAN SOME OF THE CONCEPTUAL DISCUSSION.
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