Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
PROBLEM-SOLVING EXERCISES
1.
You have been hired to develop a new information system
to provide online backup of term papers, student projects,
and other important student files for colleges and univer-
sities across the country. Determine how you can use the
principles of environmental design to develop the new
information system. Use a graphics program, such as
PowerPoint, to develop a set of slides that shows how much
money you can save and how your design is friendly to the
environment.
The Benefits of Good Design
Good Design
P
oor Design
Design costs
$14,000
$10,000
Implementation cost
$42,000
$35,000
Annual maintenance cost
$
32,000
$
40,000
b.
Create a stacked bar graph that shows the total cost,
including the design, implementation, and mainte-
nance costs. Be sure that the chart has a title and
that the costs are labeled on the chart.
2.
A project team has estimated the costs associated with the
development and maintenance of a new system. One
approach requires a more complete design and will result
in a slightly higher design and implementation cost but a
lower maintenance cost over the life of the system. The
second approach cuts the design effort, saving some dollars
but with a likely increase in maintenance cost.
a.
c.
Use your word processing software to write a para-
graph that recommends an approach to take and
why.
3.
You have been hired to design a new sales ordering program.
The program needs a database that contains a customer
table containing important customer information, an
inventory table that contains current inventory levels, and
an order table that contains customer number, inventory
number, and order quantity. Develop a database that shows
the fields in each table. Include ten sample records in each
table.
Enter the following data in the spreadsheet. Print
the result.
TEAM ACTIVITIES
1.
Assume that your project team has been working for three
months to complete the systems design of a new Web-based
customer ordering system. Two possible options seem to
meet all users' needs. The project team must make a final
decision on which option to implement. The following
table summarizes some of the key facts about each option.
Factor
Option 1
Option 2
Annual gross savings
$1.5 million
$3.0 million
Total development cost
$1.5 million
$2.2 million
Annual operating cost
$0.5 million
$1.0 million
Time required to implement
9 months
15 months
Risk associated with project
(expressed in probabilities)
Benefits will be 50% less than
expected
a.
What process would you follow to make this impor-
tant decision?
20%
35%
b.
Who needs to be involved?
Cost will be 50% greater than
expected
25%
30%
c.
What additional questions need to be answered to
make a good decision?
Organization will not/cannot
make changes necessary for
system to operate as expected
20%
25%
d.
Based on the data, which option would you recom-
mend and why?
Does system meet all mandatory
requirements?
Yes
Yes
e.
How would you account for project risk in your
decision making?
3.
Your team has been asked to purchase and install a network
system that includes five PCs, two printers, and a wireless
network for a small business. Develop an RFP that is to be
sent to four PC vendors that specifies all the equipment and
software that is needed.
2.
Your team has been hired to explore word processing,
graphics, database, and spreadsheet capabilities by the
owner of a new restaurant. The new owner has heard about
cloud computing, SaaS, and DaaS. Your team should pre-
pare a report on the advantages and disadvantages of using
a traditional office suite from a company such as Microsoft
compared to other approaches.
