| (a) |
A number of challenges arise in the process of
constructing and running an efficient information system. Identify and describe three such
challenges. |
[6] |
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The strategic Business
Challenge:
To stay competitive , many organizations need to be redesigned to use information
technology to simplify communication and coordination, eliminate unnecessary work, and
eliminate the inefficiencies of outmoded organizational structures.The Globalization Challenge:
The emergence and rapid growth of a global economy call for information systems that can
support trade in many different countries. Organizations must develop global systems and
communications standards and create cross-cultural accounting and reporting structures.
The Information Architecture
Challenge:
Firms still need to have a clear idea of business goals and how these can be supported by
information systems. Many companies are crippled by a failure to integrate various
computing resources and data into a coherent structure.
The Information Systems Investment
Challenge:
Senior management can be expect to ask whether it is possible when using information
technology to produce and maintain new products. Deciding if the entire system is
worthwhile is difficult.
The Responsibility and Control
Challenge:
Information systems are so essential to business, special care must be taken to ensure
that they are accurate, reliable and secure. The potentials for massive fraud, error,
abuse and destruction are enormous. Factors such as health, safety, job security and
social wellbeing must be considered.
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| (b) |
Discuss two advantages and two disadvantages
of locating data processing activities within a user department. |
[4] |
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Advantages:
- since the data processing function
is in the department itself, users have direct control of DP resources;
- since the costs come out of their
own budget, users tend to use the DP resources more efficiently.
Disadvantages:
- since different user departments
have their own company resources, the overall cost of DP will be higher as resources are
duplicated;
- integration of DP activities will be
difficult to achieve;
- organizational standards and
practices will be difficult to enforce.
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| (c) |
'On the job' training is one method for
training staff in an organization. Briefly discuss two other methods that may be used in
training staff. |
[2] |
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Learner=paced,
vendor-supplied courses:
usually multimedia-based courses, structured in such a way that students can study at
their own pace;In-house
seminars run by external trainers:
vendor may need to provide customized courseware and training syllabus on a specific
subject;
Internally-developed in-house
seminars:
often used when there is no possibility of obtaining training elsewhere; the company must
develop its own training programmes;
Off-site vendor seminars:
most effective method for a highly-technical subject with a small number of trainees; high
cost, so some companies send some key personnel, who will return to share the information
with others in their groups.
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| (d) |
The monopolistic and
laissez-faire approach are two approaches to managing end-user computing and
development. Discuss one advantage and one disadvantage of each approach. |
[4] |
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monopolistic:
effective in enforcing standards, but stifles growth of EUC/D;laissez-faire:
encourages and users to be independent, but can lead to a proliferation of incompatible
systems and data.
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| (e) |
Many system executives believe that
outsourcing will decrease their influence and control. Give two suggestions for helping to
prevent these executives from losing control in outsourcing. |
[4] |
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- The executive should have regular
formal or informal meetings with users, to ensure that the outsourced activities meet user
expectations.
- The organization should draw up a
clear service agreement with the vendor.
- Regular review meetings should be
conducted with the vendor to monitor services and maintain control.
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