4 Chapter Problems
TC 4, 6, 10, 13 On-line Trading System 1, 2, 4
TC 4
One of the problems you will encounter during your investigation is "scope creep," that is, user requests for additional features and functions. Scope creep happens because sometimes users have many unsolved problems and the systems investigation may be the first time that anybody has listened to their needs. How do you keep the system from growing and including new functions that should not be part of the system? Control by:
Well defined initial scope and requirements Change control process for submission of changes Document and both cost and schedule impacts of changes Review committee(s) to approval changes
TC 6
What would you do if you got conflicting answers for the same procedure from two different people you interviewed? What would you do if one was a clerical person and the other was the department manager? Solution:
Get both people together Develop and understanding of current procedures Make the users decide which procedure is correct
TC 10
In the running case of Rocky Mountain Outfitters, you have set up an interview with Jason Nadold in the shipping department. Your objective is to determine how shipping works and what the information requirements for the new system will be. Make a list of questions, open-ended and closed-ended that you would use. Include any questions or techniques you would use to ensure you find out about the exceptions.
TC 10 Answers
Sample closed-ended questions: What is the volume of shipments on an average day? How does the volume vary across time? How many employees are there in shipping? Sample open-ended questions: What is the procedure for getting an order ready for shipment? What forms are used? How is the system updated when a shipment is sent? How are orders with backordered items handled? How are returns handled? What information is updated when a shipment is sent? What reports does the system produce? How are employee responsibilities divided among the various procedures? Sample exception condition questions: What happens when items are not in stock for an order? How do you handle errors in the inventory system and physical counts? What happens when shipments are returned due to a bad address? What do you do about lost shipments? How are you notified?
TC 12
Develop an activity diagram based on the following narrative.
The purchasing department handles purchase requests from other departments in the company. People in the company who initiate the original purchase request are the of "customers" the purchasing department. A case worker within the purchasing department receives that request and monitors it until it is ordered and received. Case workers process requests for the purchase of products under $1,500, write a purchase order, and then send it to the approved vendor. Purchase requests over $1,500 must first be sent out for bid from the vendor that supplies the product. When the bids return, the case worker selects one bid. Then, he or she writes a purchase order and sends it to the vendor.
TC 13 Answer
TC 13
Develop an activity diagram based on the following narrative.
The shipping department receives all shipments on outstanding purchase orders. When the clerk in the shipping department receives a shipment, he or she finds the outstanding purchase order for those items. The clerk then sends multiple copies of the shipment packing slip. One copy goes to purchasing, and the department updates its records to indicate that the purchase order has been fulfilled. Another copy goes to accounting so that a payment can be made. A third copy goes to the requesting in-house customer so that he can receive the shipment. Once payment is made, the accounting department sends a notification to purchasing. Once the customer receives and accepts the goods, he sends notification to purchasing. When purchasing receives these other verifications, it closes the purchase order as fulfilled and paid.
TC 13
On-line Trading System 1
With respect to the telephone survey, how should customers be selected to participate? Should the customer sample be random? What questions should be asked? Groups of similar Customers
Similar trading activity and type of trade Random sample within group General attitudes about on-line trading What features would they prefer How would they prioritize features and functions
Questions
On-line Trading System 2
With respect to the questionnaire, list some possible questions to include. Remember to include both closed- and open-ended questions. Questions
Do you presently use the John & Jacob online trading system? What features do you use most often? Has the speed of performance been a problem for you? Are you able to perform all of your trading activities on the system? Etc.
On-line Trading System 4
With respect to the JAD session, how should customers be selected to participate? Who else should participate? What are the chief requirements that should be determined during the session? Selection by:
Most experience Brokers and managers Experienced session leader