1 2025 – DUE August 2025; 100% correct solutions and
explanations.
QUESTION 1
1.1 Describe each of the three levels of management that usually
exist in an organisation. (6 marks)
1. Operational (or Lower-Level) Management:
This level includes supervisors, team leaders, and foremen
who oversee the day-to-day operations. They ensure that
tasks are carried out efficiently according to plans. Their
focus is short-term and task-oriented.
2. Middle-Level Management:
This level includes departmental managers and heads of
divisions. They act as a bridge between operational and top
management. They are responsible for implementing
policies, coordinating departments, and making tactical
decisions.
3. Top-Level (or Strategic) Management:
This level includes executives such as CEOs, CFOs, and
managing directors. They set the long-term goals and
strategic direction of the organisation. Their decisions
impact the entire business and are future-focused.
1.2 What kind of decision support does a database management
system (DBMS) give to the first level YOU mentioned? (10
marks)
Level: Operational (Lower-Level) Management
, A DBMS supports operational management by:
Providing real-time access to transactional data: Helps
track inventory, sales, employee attendance, and production
schedules.
Generating routine reports: Such as daily sales reports,
inventory levels, or employee shift schedules.
Ensuring data accuracy: Through input validation and
integrity rules that prevent errors in day-to-day entries.
Enabling quick decision-making: By allowing managers
to monitor operations and react quickly to issues like
stockouts or delays.
Monitoring performance metrics: Such as units produced
per hour, order fulfillment rates, or defect rates.
Streamlining workflows: Through automated alerts and
task scheduling based on database triggers.
Facilitating task assignments: Managers can use the
DBMS to allocate and track responsibilities effectively.
Reducing manual work: Automating routine data entries
and reports.
Improving communication: Through shared access to
updated data across departments.
Enhancing accountability: All actions are recorded,
which improves traceability of operational activities.
1.3 What kind of decision support does a DBMS give to the
second level YOU mentioned? (6 marks)
Level: Middle-Level Management