Chapter Ten: Information Systems Analysis and Design
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New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 1 of 21
Computer Concepts Chapter Ten: Information Systems Analysis and Design
A Guide to this Instructor’s Manual: We have designed this Instructor’s Manual to supplement and enhance your teaching experience through classroom activities and a cohesive chapter summary. This document is organized chronologically, using the same heading in blue that you see in the textbook. Under each heading you will find (in order): Lecture Notes that summarize the section, Figures and Boxes found in the section (if any), Teacher Tips, Classroom Activities, and Lab Activities. Pay special attention to teaching tips, and activities geared towards quizzing your students, enhancing their critical thinking skills, and encouraging experimentation within the software. In addition to this Instructor’s Manual, our Instructor’s Resources CD also contains PowerPoint Presentations, Test Banks, and other supplements to aid in your teaching experience.
For your students: Our latest online feature, CourseCasts, is a library of weekly podcasts designed to keep your students up to date with the latest in technology news. Direct your students to http://coursecasts.course.com, where they can download the most recent CourseCast onto their mp3 player. Ken Baldauf, host of CourseCasts, is a faculty member of the Florida State University Computer Science Department, where he is responsible for teaching technology classes to thousands of FSU students each year. Ken is an expert in the latest technology and sorts through and aggregates the most pertinent news and information for CourseCasts so your students can spend their time enjoying technology, rather than trying to figure it out. Open or close your lecture with a discussion based on the latest CourseCast.
Table of Contents Chapter Objectives 2 Section A: Information Systems 3 Section B: Systems Analysis 6 Section C: System Design 10 Section D: Implementation and Maintenance 12 Section E: Corporate Data Security 15 Glossary of Key Terms 18 Page 2 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart
Chapter Objectives Students will have mastered the material in Chapter Ten when they can answer the following questions:
Why are information systems such an Are most large corporate information important aspect of everyday life? systems handled by a centralized How do information systems help mainframe computer? organizations carry out their missions? Are most information systems custom How do organizations use computers for built? strategic, tactical, and operational How dependable are corporate planning? information systems? Can information systems solve structured, How does a new information system go semistructured, and unstructured live without disrupting business problems? operations? How can information systems help Can you measure how well an organizations respond to competition? information system is performing? What kinds of information systems do How vulnerable are information systems organizations typically use? to threats that could cause them to fail? What is an SDLC? Do corporations and government agencies How do systems analysts use the PIECES do a good job of protecting data that framework? pertains to individuals? What kinds of tools do systems analysts use for scheduling information systems projects and documenting system requirements? READING ASSIGNMENT FASTPOLL T/F QUESTIONS 100100 Tactical and operational planning define long term goals for an organization. (Answer: False) (557) 100200 When managers encounter unstructured problems, a transaction processing system can usually supply the answers. (Answer: False) (558) 100300 An OLTP system processes transactions in real time as they are entered. (Answer: True) (560) 100400 An ad hoc report is a customized report that provides information not available in regularly scheduled reports. (Answer: True) (561) 100500 An expert system uses a knowledge base and inference engine. (Answer: True) (564) 100600 An SDLC provides a general outline of how an information system evolves. (Answer: True) (566) 100700 System requirements are also called success factors. (Answer: True) (571) 100800 DFDs and UML are used to document information systems. (Answer: True) (573) New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 3 of 21
100900 Unit testing is a process that tests all the hardware and software components of an information system to make sure it performs according to specifications. (Answer: False) (584) 101000 Throughput refers to the amount of data processed in a particular time interval. (Answer: True) (587) 101100 MTBF refers to the average time between failures of a hardware component. (Answer: True) (590) o o SECTION A: INFORMATION SYSTEMS (556) SECTION A OPENER QUESTION 102100 Information systems are classified based on the type of information they collect and provide. What types of information systems are you as an average consumer likely to interact with? a. Transaction processing systems and expert systems b. Management information systems and transaction processing systems c. Decision support systems and executive information systems d. Expert systems and neural networks (Answer: b) o Information Systems in Organizations (556) LECTURE NOTES Review the basic concepts about organizations as described on page 556. Use Figure 10-2 to explain that organizational personnel are typically depicted by a pyramid- shaped organizational chart. Compare and contrast strategic and tactical planning. Point out that strategic planning is deciding “what” an organization will do; tactical planning emphasizes “how” a goal will be achieved. Strategic usually refers to long term, where tactical is based on a day-to-day basis. Explain that while it is tempting to try to assign a specific type of information system to each level of management (e.g., executive managers use decision support systems, whereas middle managers use MIS systems), this is not true in practice. Review structured, semi-structured, and unstructured problems. Unstructured problems often require human intuition and are not supported by information systems, though decision support and MIS systems might provide some relevant information. Semi-structured problems are best supported by a DSS, which can be queried “on the fly” for data relevant to the decision. Structured problems are usually supported by a well-designed MIS. TEACHER TIP Illustrate the concepts in this section using a well-known business, such as Target or Macy’s. Most management textbooks include cases about real organizations, so this information should be easy to Page 4 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart find. Show your students how to quickly gain an understanding of a business by discussing the concepts discussed in the above bulleted list. FIGURES Figure 10-1, Figure 10-2, Figure 10-3 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Assign a Project: Have students write a paragraph comparing and contrasting structured, semi- structured, and unstructured problems. Quick Quiz: 1. A(n) ______describes an organization’s goals and the way in which those goals will be accomplished. (Answer: mission statement) 2. A(n) ______depicts the hierarchy of employees in an organization. (Answer: organizational chart) 3. True/False: An unstructured problem is an everyday, run-of-the-mill, routine problem. (Answer: False) o Transaction Processing Systems (559) LECTURE NOTES Emphasize that a single business may use multiple methods of transaction processing. Use Figure 10-5 to review the basic functions of a transaction processing system. TEACHER TIP To make your explanation of a transaction processing system more concrete, trace a sample transaction through the system. For example, use the payment of a cell phone bill: the customer writes a check and sends it, along with the statement stub, back to the phone company. At the phone company, the check is received and entered into the transaction processing system. The payment data is stored on disk. A phone company employee can display the payment data if you call and want to know if the payment was received. Each day, the company can print a list of payments received from all customers. FIGURES Figure 10-4, Figure 10-5 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Assign a Project: Ask students to draw a diagram illustrating a transaction processing system. New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 5 of 21
Quick Quiz: 1. In an information system context, a(n) ______is an exchange between two parties that is recorded and stored in a computer system. (Answer: transaction) 2. What does TPS stand for? (Answer: transaction processing system) 3. True/False: Most modern transaction processing systems use batch processing. (Answer: False) o Management Information Systems (561) LECTURE NOTES Explain that the major function of an MIS is to produce detail, summary, and exception reports for routine and structured decisions. Use Figure 10-6 to review the goals of an MIS. Explain the difference between management information systems and transaction processing systems. TEACHER TIP Provide examples of the use of each report type listed on page 561. For example, pick a type of business and determine what kinds of reports it would generate. FIGURES Figure 10-6, Figure 10-7, Figure 10-8 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Class Discussion: Ask students to compare and contrast an MIS and a TPS. What are the characteristics of each? How is each used in a business setting? Have any students worked with either of them? Quick Quiz: 1. A(n) ______report is a customized report, generated to supply specific information not available in scheduled reports. (Answer: ad hoc) 2. What type of report contains information that is outside normal or acceptable ranges? (Answer: Exception) 3. True/False: An MIS is the same thing as a TPS. (Answer: False) o Decision Support Systems (562) LECTURE NOTES Explain that the main purpose of a DSS is to help decision makers with non-routine decisions. Use Figure 10-9 in your discussion of the process. Emphasize that a DSS does not actually make a decision—it only provides data that a manager can use to reach a decision. TEACHER TIP Page 6 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart
Provide some examples of non-routine decisions. For example, deciding on a location for a new retail outlet, whether to add a new product line, or whether it is necessary to lay off employees during a recession period. FIGURES Figure 10-9 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Class Discussion: Ask students to brainstorm scenarios in which a DSS would be useful. Do any students have experience using one? Quick Quiz: 1. A(n) ______helps people make decisions by directly manipulating data, analyzing data from external sources, generating statistical projections, and creating data models of various scenarios. (Answer: decision support system or DSS) 2. What does EIS stand for? (Answer: executive information system) 3. True/False: A decision model is a numerical representation of a realistic situation. (Answer: True) o Expert Systems and Neural Networks (564) LECTURE NOTES Use Figure 10-11 to review the characteristics of an expert system. Explain that an expert system captures the knowledge of a human expert as a series of rules (called a knowledge base). Using an inference engine, which is part of the expert system software, the expert system evaluates the rules in the knowledge base and makes a decision or recommendation. Point out that although expert systems are sometimes used by managers, these systems are often used by workers and function as manager-surrogates. Distinguish between an expert system and an expert system shell. An expert system includes the rules necessary to make a decision. An expert system shell is a software package used to create an expert system. It is called a “shell” because it is empty, so to speak, until the rules for the knowledge base are entered. Explain that expert systems have become increasingly “intelligent” through the use of fuzzy logic and neural networks. Fuzzy logic allows expert systems to provide solutions to imprecise data with a level of confidence, and a neural network simulates the processing of a human brain and allows an expert system to establish its own rules. FIGURES Figure 10-10, Figure 10-11, Figure 10-12 New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 7 of 21
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Assign a Project: Have students find a mission statement, organizational chart, and goals of the company they work for. If the students do not work, use the college’s structure. Have them document their findings in a Word document and submit their assignment. Quick Quiz: 1. The knowledge base can be manipulated by software called a(n) ______. (Answer: inference engine) 2. True/False: An expert system is a general-purpose problem solver. (Answer: False) 3. A(n) ______network uses computer circuitry to simulate the way a brain might process information, learn, and remember. (Answer: neural) o SECTION B: SYSTEMS ANALYSIS (566) SECTION B OPENER QUESTION 102200 If you are participating as member of a team on a project to upgrade an information system, what can you expect the team to accomplish first? a. Complete the systems analysis and design according to the waterfall systems development life cycle. b. Complete the planning phase to devise a Project Development Plan. c. Complete the analysis phase to produce the Systems Requirement document. d. Complete the documentation of the current system using DFDs or object-oriented documentation tools. (Answer: b) o System Development Life Cycle (566) LECTURE NOTES Explain that the SDLC is an outline of a process that helps develop successful systems, and is divided into five phases: planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance. Contrast the modified waterfall SDLC to the iterative SDLC. Explain that the SDLC is truly a decision making process, similar to that of many other functional areas of business. FIGURES Figure 10-13 Page 8 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Quick Quiz: 1. A(n) ______accounts for overlap between SDLC phases. (Answer: modified waterfall SDLC) 2. What does SDLC stand for? (Answer: System development life cycle) 3. True/False: An iterative SDLC depicts phases, repeating as necessary. (Answer: True) o Planning Phase (567) LECTURE NOTES Use Figure 10-14 to illustrate the activities a project team performs during the planning phase of an information system project. Explain that the PIECES acronym, described in Figure 10-17, is a useful tool in identifying specific problems within an information system. TEACHER TIP Consider using the following examples to classify the portion of PIECES under which the problem falls: When employees submit reimbursement for travel expenses, they must send a form to the department head for approval. Then, the form is forwarded to accounts payable and finally to payroll where it is entered into the computer for payment during the next pay period. Employees sometimes wait two months while the form goes to each office. (Performance—processing takes too long) During registration week, a list of full courses is printed only every other day, so students have difficulty planning their schedules. (Information—not up-to-date) When a credit card holder charges less than $20, the credit card company loses money. This is because it only earns 60 cents, but it costs the credit card company 90 cents in phone charges and employee time. (Economics—costs too much to process a transaction) When students register late for a class they first must go to the scheduling office to find out if there is classroom space. If space is available, the student must get the instructor’s signature and return it to the scheduling office to officially add the class. (Control—the employees in the scheduling office do not have authority to add students) People applying for driver’s licenses in some U.S. territories are frustrated because they have to wait in line to purchase the form, then they must fill out the form, take it to another line to get it stamped, and make an appointment to take the driver’s test. (Efficiency—too many lines, people, and time required to process a driver’s license application) FIGURES Figure 10-14, Figure 10-15, Figure 10-16, Figure 10-17, Figure 10-18, Figure 10-19, Figure 10-20 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Group Activity: Divide the class into two groups and assign each group a fictional organization for whom they will create an information system. Have them determine what type of New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 9 of 21
information system would be useful to their organization and work through the planning phase activities (as listed in Figure 10-14). Quick Quiz: 1. A(n) ______uses bars to show the timing of development tasks as they occur over time. (Answer: Gantt chart) 2. Each letter of PIECES, as in the PIECES framework, stands for what? (Answer: A potential problem or Performance, Information, Economics, Control, Efficiency, Service) 3. True/False: Structured methodology focuses on the processes that take place within an information system. (Answer: True) LAB ACTIVITY Refer students to the New Perspectives Web site for a Student Edition Lab titled “Project Management.” In the Project Management Student Edition Lab, they will learn about the following topics: Introduction to project management software. Entering project tasks to determine scope. Developing the project schedule. Entering cost and human resource information. Communicating project information. o Analysis Phase (571) LECTURE NOTES Use Figure 10-21 to discuss the steps in the analysis phase. Explain the purpose and importance of system requirements, if it is explained, that can serve as a checklist for success. Emphasize that to be successful, the new system should meet or exceed all the requirements. Explain that at the end of the analysis phase, a System Requirements Report is produced. Figure 10-22 provides an overview of a typical report. FIGURES Figure 10-21, Figure 10-22 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Group Activity: Divide the class into the same two groups as in the previous group activity and have them work through the analysis phase activities as listed in Figure 10-21. Since this is a fictitious scenario, students will have to make up information to base decisions upon. Make sure their choices are appropriate for the organizations they are creating the information system for. Page 10 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart
Quick Quiz: 1. ______are the criteria for successfully solving problems identified in an information system. (Answer: System requirements) 2. System requirements are incorporated into what type of documents? (Answer: System Requirements Report) 3. True/False: The goal of the analysis phase is to produce a list of requirements for a new or revised information system. (Answer: True) o Documentation Tools (572) LECTURE NOTES Explain that data flow diagrams (DFDs) are structured documentation tools that sketch what happens to data in an information system. Emphasize that end users who understand DFDs can much more easily communicate with analysts to discuss their information system needs. Be sure students understand that DFDs are NOT flow charts. Several of your students are likely to have worked with flow charts and will assume that DFDs are the same. Point out that DFDs focus on data, whereas flow charts focus on processes. Show an example, such as the DFD in Figure 10-24, and point out that this type of diagram shows what happens to data in an information system. Explain the symbols used on DFDs as shown in Figure 10-23. Walk through a DFD to show what it tells us about an information system. Explain that in contrast to structured documentation tools like DFDs, object-oriented design tools provide blueprints for creating data objects and the routines that allow people to interact with those objects. Explain the symbols used in UML diagrams, as shown in Figures 10-26 and 10-27. Walk through a UML diagram to show what it tells us about an information system. TEACHER TIP Consider having students diagram how the current system works for your sample project. If students have already worked through the Working with DFDs lab, they can create a data flow diagram. They may use Figure 10-24 as a model. FIGURES Figure 10-23, Figure 10-24, Figure 10-25, Figure 10-26, Figure 10-27, Figure 10-28 LAB ACTIVITY The New Perspectives Lab “Working with DFDs” deals with issues that relate to this section of the textbook. You might want to go through the lab during class time, if you have a computer with a projection device, or assign this lab for students to do on their own. CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Class Discussion: Have the students select a small business in their area and list the steps in the business operation. How can it be automated? Document the current system and determine the New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 11 of 21
PIECES framework to classify problems. Discuss how automated process and activities differ based upon the size of the organization. What is different? What considerations need to be made? Quick Quiz: 1. A(n) ______documents the users of an information system and the functions they perform. (Answer: use case diagram) 2. True/False: A method is any behavior that an object is capable of performing. (Answer: True) 3. The current standard for object-oriented documentation is referred to as ______. a. SDLC b. XML c. TCP d. UML (Answer: d.) o o SECTION C: SYSTEM DESIGN (576) SECTION C OPENER QUESTION 102300 Suppose you’ve just heard through the office grapevine that your company is going to be getting a turnkey computer system. What can you expect? a. The system won’t be operation for quite a long time because lots of programming and setup will be required. b. Systems analysts will be asking you and other employees lots of questions about how you use the current system. c. You might be asked to join a project team to carry out system analysis and design. d. You might have to change some procedures to match the new information system. (Answer: d) o Design Phase (576) LECTURE NOTES Explain that in the design phase of the SDLC, the project team identifies potential solutions, and then selects the best of those solutions. Emphasize that the selection process takes into consideration the costs and benefits of each potential solution. FIGURES Figure 10-29, Figure 10-30, Figure 10-31 TEACHER TIP Discuss one major decision that must be made in the design phase. For example, discuss whether to build custom software or buy commercial software. Page 12 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Group Activity: Divide the class into the same two groups as in the previous group activities and have them work through the design phase activities as listed in Figure 10-29. Quick Quiz: 1. In ______processing, data is processed on a centrally located computer. (Answer: centralized) 2. True/False: An application development tool is essentially a type of software construction kit containing building blocks that can be assembled into a software product. (Answer: True) o Evaluation and Selection (579) LECTURE NOTES Refer to Figure 10-32 to explain how a spreadsheet can be used to create a decision table that compares potential solutions. Refer to Figures 10-33 and 10-34 for examples of an RFP and an RFQ. TEACHER TIP Use the following analogy to help students understand this section: When an architect designs a house, she finds out what the family needs (e.g., play space for young children, a home office, etc.). This is analogous to the system requirements—if these requirements are met, the family should be happy with their new home. However, these requirements are not an appropriate plan for the construction workers who build the home, so the architect must also create detailed blueprints showing dimensions, electrical and plumbing plans, and exterior elevations. These detailed blueprints are analogous to application specifications. FIGURES Figure 10-32, Figure 10-33, Figure 10-34 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Group Activity: Divide the class into the same two groups as in the previous group activities and have them create decision support worksheets using Microsoft Excel. Direct them to use Figure 10-32 as a guide in creating their worksheets. Quick Quiz: 1. A(n) ______is a document that describes the information system problem and the requirements for the solution. (Answer: request for proposal or RFP) 2. A(n) ______is a request for a formal price quotation on a list of hardware and software. (Answer: request for quotation or RFQ) 3. True/False: A spreadsheet can be used to produce a decision support worksheet. (Answer: True) LAB ACTIVITY New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 13 of 21
Refer students to the New Perspectives Web site for a Student Edition Lab titled “Advanced Spreadsheets.” In the Advanced Spreadsheets Student Edition Lab, you will learn about the following topics: Sorting and filtering lists and creating subtotals. Using conditional formatting, data validation, Goal Seek, and macros. Creating PivotTables. Protecting and documenting a worksheet. o Application Specifications (581) LECTURE NOTES Explain that application specifications are often very detailed, as shown in Figure 10-35. Discuss why application specifications are critical in ensuring that the development process is efficient. FIGURES Figure 10-35 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Class Discussion: Ask your students if they can come up with another analogy for the system design phase of a project, other than the blueprint analogy provided at the beginning of Section C. How about the process of convincing your parents to buy you a car, and choosing the correct car? Many of them probably went through this type of process when choosing what college to go to. What factors did they consider and what assisted in that final decision? Can students compare these processes to a typical system design process? Quick Quiz: 1. In the ______phase, the project team must figure out how the new system will fulfill the requirements specified in the Systems Requirements Report. (Answer: Design) 2. True/False: An information system can be designed for distributed processing in which data is processed on a centrally located computer. (Answer: False) 3. A type of software construction kit containing building blocks that can be assembled into a software product is called a(n) ______. a. commercial software b. turnkey software c. application development tool d. application software (Answer: c.) o SECTION D: IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE (583) SECTION D OPENER QUESTION 102400 Suppose you’re the system administrator for a large corporate information system that was installed about a year ago. What is most likely your biggest concern? a. Feature creep Page 14 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart
b. Quality of service c. Pilot conversion d. Application specifications (Answer: b) o Implementation Phase (583) LECTURE NOTES Refer to Figure 10-36 to discuss the activities in the implementation phase. Note that users are formally introduced to the project when the team tests applications, but are often involved from the start because they help to define the initial problem. FIGURES Figure 10-36 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Quick Quiz: 1. During the ______of the SDLC, the project team supervises the tasks necessary to construct the new information system. (Answer: implementation phase) 2. True/False: During the implementation phase, new hardware is purchased, installed, and tested to ensure that it operates correctly. (Answer: True) o Development and Testing (583) LECTURE NOTES Point out that creating the software for an information system might involve creating new software using a programming language or software development tool. Explain that software customization involves modifying a commercial application to meet the needs of your system. Discuss the pros and cons of each approach. Explain that application testing is an umbrella term that encompasses three other types of testing: unit, integration, and system. Compare and contrast unit testing, which checks a single module, and integration testing, which ensures that modules interact correctly. Discuss system testing, which ensures that all hardware and software components (and perhaps procedures and data) work correctly. Point out that unit, integration, and system testing all occur in the construction phase. Be sure students understand this testing process, which checks the integrity of the program components, functionality, and hardware. Make sure students understand that this testing does not find all “bugs” in the use of the program. FIGURES Figure 10-37 New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 15 of 21
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Class Discussion: Ask the two groups created earlier to describe the type of testing that would be required on the information systems they are designing. Quick Quiz: 1. ______is the process of modifying a commercial application to reflect an organization’s needs. (Answer: Software customization) 2. True/False: A rigorous testing phase is not the only way to determine whether a new information system works. (Answer: False) 3. Which of the following is a type of testing that occurs during the implementation phase? a. Application b. Unit c. Integration d. all of the above (Answer: d.) o Documentation and Training (585) LECTURE NOTES Explain that system documentation is for programmers, designers, and analysts who must maintain and update the information system. Explain that user documentation is for users who will work with the system to perform tasks. Discuss the procedure handbook, a reference guide to system functions. TEACHER TIP Provide samples of system and user documentation in both printed and electronic forms. Have students examine and compare them. TEACHER TIP If you have examples of procedure handbooks, allow your students to view them. Discuss the different sections and information covered. Have students evaluate the layout of the manual. Which sections are most helpful to a first-time user? Which layouts are most user-friendly? Are there any design alterations that would make the handbook more helpful to users? FIGURES Figure 10-38 o Conversion and Cutover (585) LECTURE NOTES Discuss the different methods of conversion, and the pros and cons of each. Emphasize the amount of planning and risk that accompanies a system conversion. You may wish to recount your experiences with large system conversions to convey the enormity of the task to your students. Page 16 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart
FIGURES Figure 10-39 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Assign a Project: Have students write a paragraph describing and comparing system, direct, parallel, phased, and pilot conversions. Quick Quiz: 1. ______refers to the process of deactivating an old information system and activating a new one. (Answer: System conversion) 2. A new or upgraded information system undergoes a final test called ______. (Answer: acceptance testing) 3. True/False: There are several strategies for converting to a new system. (Answer: True) o Maintenance Phase (587) LECTURE NOTES Make sure students understand that once a new system is in place, system maintenance is ongoing. Students may be surprised to learn that 70% of an information system department budget is spent on costs related to system maintenance. Explain that in most IS departments, entry level positions are usually assigned maintenance duties: modifying code to add features, fixing bugs, and optimizing modules that require enhanced performance. TEACHER TIP If your school has one or more staff members assigned to technical support, consider having someone speak to the class about the specifics of their job. If not, consider asking a system operator from a local business to speak to the class. FIGURES Figure 10-40, Figure 10-41, Figure 10-42, Figure 10-43 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Assign a Project: Have the students select an application they are familiar with and write a one- to-two page documentation manual that will instruct others in how to use the application. Quick Quiz New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 17 of 21
1. After unit and integration testing are completed, ______testing ensures that all hardware and software components work together correctly. (Answer: system) 2. True/False: User documentation describes how to interact with the system to accomplish specific tasks. (Answer: True) 3. Which conversion method avoids some of the risk of direct conversion, because the old system remains in service while some or all of the new system is activated? a. Direct conversion b. Pilot conversion c. Parallel conversion d. Phased conversion (Answer: c.) o SECTION E: CORPORATE DATA SECURITY (590) SECTION E OPENER QUESTION 102500 How easy it is to create a fake site that looks like one for a legitimate business? a. It is very difficult because of all the corporate logos and other art work at legitimate sites. b. It is very difficult because real Web sites use HTML and HTTPS for security. c. It is quite easy to change the URL of a legitimate site and then put a fake site in its place. d. It is easy to cut and paste graphics from a legitimate site to make a fake site at a URL that is similar but not the same as the real site. (Answer: d) o Information System Data Vulnerabilities (590) LECTURE NOTES Review the threats to information systems listed on pages 590-591. TEACHER TIP Ask students to recall memorable examples of the threats listed in the text. Students may recall virulent viruses (e.g., the Melissa or Michelangelo viruses) or the various security breaches experienced by corporations and universities in 2005. FIGURES Figure 10-44 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Assign a Project: Ask students to make a list of the most common threats to data stored on corporate information systems. o Information System Data Security (592) LECTURE NOTES Page 18 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart
Review the four categories of countermeasures detailed in this section. Explain the role of a data center in minimizing risks to information systems. Emphasize the importance of having a disaster recovery plan. TEACHER TIP As a possible exercise, present students with a series of items (e.g., antispyware) and ask them to classify the items. FIGURES Figure 10-45, Figure 10-46 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Class Discussion: Arizona has become a popular location for data centers. Ask students to think of reasons why this may be. Quick Quiz: A(n) ______is a specialized facility designed to hold and protect computer systems and data. (Answer: data center) A(n) ______is a step-by-step plan that describes the methods used to secure data against disaster and explains how an organization will recover lost data if and when a disaster occurs. (Answer: disaster recovery plan) True/False: Disaster recovery plans should only take into account catastrophic occurrences, not day-to-day events. (Answer: False) o Corporate Identity Theft (594) LECTURE NOTES Explain corporate identity theft. Discuss how corporate identity theft affects consumers. Review the guidelines for dealing with corporate identity theft listed on page 595. TEACHER TIP Show an example of a phishing e-mail, to demonstrate the negative impact of such a message on the legitimate corporate brand. Of the negative repercussions from corporate identity theft (e.g., undermined customer confidence, overwhelmed customer service, bad publicity, and lost revenue), how many of these outcomes can students anticipate from the e-mail you displayed for discussion? FIGURES Figure 10-47 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Assign a Project: Ask your students if they can find two corporate disaster recovery plans online. Have them to compare the two plans. What are the similarities and differences? Which plan seems more comprehensive? Why? To what degree does the nature of the business impact the content of the plan? New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 19 of 21
Quick Quiz: 1. True/False: The biggest North American blackout in history was the result of a security breach. (Answer: False) 2. All of the following are categories of proactive measures to protect an information system from threats EXCEPT: a. Deterrent b. Turnkey solution c. Detection activity d. Corrective procedure (Answer: b.) o WHAT DO YOU THINK? 103100 Would you prefer online voting to voting at a polling place? a. Yes b. No c. Not sure 103200 Do you think online voters would disproportionally vote for Republicans? a. Yes b. No c. Not sure 103300 Should online voting be available only to specific groups, such as elderly voters and military personnel stationed abroad, who currently have trouble reaching polling places? a. Yes b. No c. Not sure Glossary of Key Terms Acceptance testing, 586 Class diagram, 573 Actors, 573 Commit or rollback strategy, 560 Ad hoc report, 561 CRM, 569 Analysis phase, 571 Data center, 592 Application development tool, 578 Data flow, 572 Application specifications, 581 Data flow diagram, 572 Application testing, 584 Data store, 572 Batch processing, 560 Decision model, 562 BI, 569 Decision query, 562 BPR, 569 Decision support system, 562 Business, 556 Decision support worksheet, 579 CASE tool, 574 Design phase, 576 Centralized processing, 577 Detail reports, 560 Change requests, 582 Direct conversion, 586 Page 20 of 21 Project 1: Creating a Worksheet and an Embedded Chart
Disaster recovery plan, 593 Organizational chart, 557 Distributed processing, 577 Parallel conversion, 586 EAI, 569 PERT, 570 EDI, 569 Phased conversion, 586 Enterprise information system, 559 PIECES framework, 569 ERP, 569 Pilot conversion, 586 Exception report, 561 Planning phase, 567 Executive information system, 562 Procedure handbook, 585 Expert system, 564 Process, 572 Expert system shell, 564 Project Development Plan, 567 External entity, 572 Project management software, 571 External information, 559 Quality of service, 587 Feature creep, 582 Quality-of-service metric, 587 Fuzzy logic, 564 Request for proposal, 580 Gantt chart, 570 Request for quotation, 580 Help desk, 588 Scheduled reports, 561 Implementation phase, 583 SDLC, 566 Inference engine, 564 Semi-structured problem, 558 Info. engineering methodology, 570 Sequence diagram, 574 Information system, 556 Software customization, 583 Integration testing, 584 Strategic planning, 557 Internal information, 559 Structured methodology, 570 Iterative SDLC, 566 Structured problem, 558 JIT, 569 Success factors, 571 Joint application design, 567 Summary report, 561 Knowledge base, 564 System conversion, 586 Knowledge engineering, 564 System development life cycle, 566 Maintenance phase, 587 System documentation, 585 Management information system, 561 System operator, 588 Managers, 557 System requirements, 571 Mission, 556 System Requirements Report, 572 Mission statement, 556 System testing, 584 Modified waterfall SDLC, 566 Systems analysis and design, 566 MRP, 569 Systems programmer, 588 Neural network, 565 Tactical planning, 557 Nonprofit organization, 556 Test area, 584 Object-oriented methodology, 570 TQM, 569 OLTP system, 560 Transaction, 559 Online processing, 560 Transaction processing system, 559 Operational planning, 557 Turnkey system, 578 Organization, 556 UML, 573 New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual 21 of 21
Unit testing, 584 User documentation, 585 Unstructured problem, 558 Waterfall SDLC, 566 Use case, 573 WBS, 570 Use case diagram, 573 Workers, 557 Top of Document