Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, Fourth Edition 2-1
Chapter 2 – Approaches to System Development
Solutions to End-of-Chapter Material
Review Questions
1. What are the five phases of the SDLC?
The five phases of the SDLC are the planning phase, analysis phase, design phase,
implementation phase, and support phase.
2. What characteristics of a project call for a predictive approach to the SDLC? What
characteristics of a project call for an adaptive approach to the SDLC?
Predictive: Projects are well understood—technology is well known; user requirements
are well known; development methodology is well known; project team is experienced
and familiar with the system; and there are few known risks. Adaptive: Projects are not
well understood—technology is new or unfamiliar; requirements are not very clear; team
is not experienced with the type of system or methodology.
3. How is the SDLC based on the problem-solving approach described in Chapter 1?
The five phases are similar to the steps in the general problem-solving approach outlined
in Chapter 1. First, the organization recognizes it has a problem to solve (project
planning). Next, the project team investigates and thoroughly understands the problem
and the requirements for a solution (analysis). Once the problem is understood, a solution
is specified in detail (design). The system that solves the problem is then built and
installed (implementation). As long as the system is being used by the organization, it is
maintained and enhanced to make sure it continues to provide the intended benefits
(support).
4. What is the objective of each phase of the SDLC? Describe each objective briefly.
See Figure 2-3 page 38.
The planning phase involves identifying the scope of the new system to ensure a solution
is feasible, develop a schedule, and obtain approval for funding. The analysis phase
involves understanding and documenting the business needs and processing
requirements. The design phase involves designing a solution system, both at an
architectural level and a detailed level. The implementation phase involves building,
testing, and installing a working system. The support phase involves supporting and
maintaining the system over its lifetime.
, Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, Fourth Edition 2-2
5. How is iteration used across phases?
Iteration means you do some analysis, some design, and some implementation, and then
go back and do more analysis, more design, and more implementation. You have to do
some design and some implementation before you can go back and complete the analysis.
This is different than overlapping the phases.
6. What is the difference between a model and a tool?
A model is a representation of some important aspect of the real world. A tool provides
software support that helps create models or other components required in the project.
7. What is the difference between a technique and a methodology?
A methodology provides comprehensive guidelines to follow for completing every
activity in the systems development life cycle, including specific models, tools, and
techniques. A technique is a collection of guidelines that help the analyst complete a
system development activity or task.
8. Which of the two approaches to system development was the earlier?
The structured approach was the earlier approach, beginning with structured
programming in the 1960s, structured design in the 1970s, and structured analysis in the
late 1970s and early 1980s.
9. Which of the two approaches to system development is the most recent?
The object-oriented approach to information systems is the most recent approach,
although object-oriented programming languages go back to the 1960s and 1970s.
10. Which of the traditional approaches focuses on overall strategic systems planning?
Information engineering begins with a strategic systems planning activity to define the
systems that need to be developed.
11. Which of the traditional approaches is a more complete methodology?
Information engineering includes guidelines for all phases, including planning, analysis,
design, and implementation.
12. What are the three "constructs" used in structured programming?
The three “constructs” used in structured programming are sequence of instructions,
selection or decision of one direction or the other, and iteration or repetition of
instructions.
Chapter 2 – Approaches to System Development
Solutions to End-of-Chapter Material
Review Questions
1. What are the five phases of the SDLC?
The five phases of the SDLC are the planning phase, analysis phase, design phase,
implementation phase, and support phase.
2. What characteristics of a project call for a predictive approach to the SDLC? What
characteristics of a project call for an adaptive approach to the SDLC?
Predictive: Projects are well understood—technology is well known; user requirements
are well known; development methodology is well known; project team is experienced
and familiar with the system; and there are few known risks. Adaptive: Projects are not
well understood—technology is new or unfamiliar; requirements are not very clear; team
is not experienced with the type of system or methodology.
3. How is the SDLC based on the problem-solving approach described in Chapter 1?
The five phases are similar to the steps in the general problem-solving approach outlined
in Chapter 1. First, the organization recognizes it has a problem to solve (project
planning). Next, the project team investigates and thoroughly understands the problem
and the requirements for a solution (analysis). Once the problem is understood, a solution
is specified in detail (design). The system that solves the problem is then built and
installed (implementation). As long as the system is being used by the organization, it is
maintained and enhanced to make sure it continues to provide the intended benefits
(support).
4. What is the objective of each phase of the SDLC? Describe each objective briefly.
See Figure 2-3 page 38.
The planning phase involves identifying the scope of the new system to ensure a solution
is feasible, develop a schedule, and obtain approval for funding. The analysis phase
involves understanding and documenting the business needs and processing
requirements. The design phase involves designing a solution system, both at an
architectural level and a detailed level. The implementation phase involves building,
testing, and installing a working system. The support phase involves supporting and
maintaining the system over its lifetime.
, Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, Fourth Edition 2-2
5. How is iteration used across phases?
Iteration means you do some analysis, some design, and some implementation, and then
go back and do more analysis, more design, and more implementation. You have to do
some design and some implementation before you can go back and complete the analysis.
This is different than overlapping the phases.
6. What is the difference between a model and a tool?
A model is a representation of some important aspect of the real world. A tool provides
software support that helps create models or other components required in the project.
7. What is the difference between a technique and a methodology?
A methodology provides comprehensive guidelines to follow for completing every
activity in the systems development life cycle, including specific models, tools, and
techniques. A technique is a collection of guidelines that help the analyst complete a
system development activity or task.
8. Which of the two approaches to system development was the earlier?
The structured approach was the earlier approach, beginning with structured
programming in the 1960s, structured design in the 1970s, and structured analysis in the
late 1970s and early 1980s.
9. Which of the two approaches to system development is the most recent?
The object-oriented approach to information systems is the most recent approach,
although object-oriented programming languages go back to the 1960s and 1970s.
10. Which of the traditional approaches focuses on overall strategic systems planning?
Information engineering begins with a strategic systems planning activity to define the
systems that need to be developed.
11. Which of the traditional approaches is a more complete methodology?
Information engineering includes guidelines for all phases, including planning, analysis,
design, and implementation.
12. What are the three "constructs" used in structured programming?
The three “constructs” used in structured programming are sequence of instructions,
selection or decision of one direction or the other, and iteration or repetition of
instructions.
