WGU D458 APPLIES SYSTEMS THINKING
BASICS CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ data mart.
Answer: smaller subset database from a data warehouse typically focused on
a single area or function.
◍ COBOL.
Answer: The first computer language; developed in the 1950s; still used
today.
◍ What are the 5 Disciplines.
Answer: 1. systems thinking2. personal mastery3. mental models,4. building
shared vision5. team learning
◍ Feedback Loop.
Answer: input --> throughput --> output (repeat) with influences from
constraints and resources
◍ TCP/IP.
Answer: most common protocol which establishes the connection, and data
packet quality transmission. The first two bytes are assigned by the Internet
Service Provider (ISP), and the last two bytes are assigned by the client.
◍ What is necessary for a system to be viable?.
Answer: strongly goal-directed, governed by feedback, interdependent and
strongly coordinated components, and an ability to adapt to changing
circumstances (adaptable)
◍ Third generation computer languages (3GLs).
Answer: high-level programming languages such as FORTRAN, COBOL,
, C, Java, C++, and C#
◍ chief security officer (CSO).
Answer: is the highest level executive concerned with the overall security
functions and policies of a business.
◍ IPv6.
Answer: The latest IP iteration, it was developed to increase the number of
unique IP addresses, as each device that connects to the Internet needs its
own IP address and there were not enough to accommodate future devices.
◍ Physical Data Model.
Answer: a representation of a data design as implemented, or intended to be
implemented, in a database management system
◍ Conceptual Data Model.
Answer: a map of concepts and their relationships used for databases.
◍ Network Engineer.
Answer: Responsible for the layout, installation, and maintenance of all
information technology network components.
◍ First and second-generation computer languages.
Answer: were specific to the computer manufacturer (1GL) or to a specific
processor or environment (2GL).
◍ Software.
Answer: Provides instructions to computers to perform tasks.
◍ Evil Twin.
Answer: a fraudulent Wi-Fi access point that appears to be legitimate
◍ Workstation.
Answer: A powerful computer system that can handle intensive
mathematical operations; often used by engineers.
◍ Limits to Success (Archetypes).
Answer: A given effort initially generates positive results. However, over
time, the process reaches a constraint that slows down the overall
, performance.
◍ Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP).
Answer: Helps a business resume quickly and effectively after a disaster.
◍ History.
Answer: which consists of memories of past successes, failures,
◍ UNIX.
Answer: An operating system designed to code computer instructions in a
mainframe environment.
◍ Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
Answer: Involves utilizing computer technology to link various aspects of a
business; a very complex resource planning system that spans the entire
business; companies often have difficulty implementing the system.
◍ Information management.
Answer: The management of organizational processes and systems; helps
the organization reduce costs and adds value to products; helps the
organization make better managerial decisions; stores and processes data.
◍ Vulnerabilities.
Answer: weakness in the technology, process, and procedure, or people
involved with any given information asset
◍ Network Address Translation (NAT).
Answer: Allows private users to redefine network addresses to assign their
own addresses.
◍ Structured Query Language (SQL).
Answer: A computing language that is used with relational databases.
◍ Modular Design.
Answer: a design approach that subdivides a system into smaller parts called
modules or skids, that can be independently created and then used in
different systems.
◍ Virtual Credit Card.
, Answer: Requires the use two-factor authentication from a bank before
permitting the transaction.
◍ Executive Support Systems (ESS).
Answer: Helps executives make unstructured and semi-structured decisions;
includes internal and external data.
◍ Prescriptive Analytics.
Answer: the area of business analytics (BA) dedicated to finding the best
course of action for a given situation.
◍ Knowledge Management (KM).
Answer: These systems provide tools to help manage organizational
knowledge and create value to meet business requirements and strategic
goals.
◍ Drifting Goals (Archetypes).
Answer: Address a gap between current state and a "goal" the decision is
made to lower the goal. The effect is an gradual decline in system
performance.
◍ Principle of Least Privilege.
Answer: Limits access to only authorized users based upon job
requirements.
◍ Virtual Network.
Answer: Create peer-to-peer connections between computers.
◍ Tertiary storage.
Answer: consists of an automated robotic mechanism to mount and
dismount magnetic tape or optical discs.
◍ Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).
Answer: Used to manage and monitor emails that we receive.
◍ growth (business strategy).
Answer: adding new products or new enhancements to existing products
◍ Repeaters.
BASICS CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ data mart.
Answer: smaller subset database from a data warehouse typically focused on
a single area or function.
◍ COBOL.
Answer: The first computer language; developed in the 1950s; still used
today.
◍ What are the 5 Disciplines.
Answer: 1. systems thinking2. personal mastery3. mental models,4. building
shared vision5. team learning
◍ Feedback Loop.
Answer: input --> throughput --> output (repeat) with influences from
constraints and resources
◍ TCP/IP.
Answer: most common protocol which establishes the connection, and data
packet quality transmission. The first two bytes are assigned by the Internet
Service Provider (ISP), and the last two bytes are assigned by the client.
◍ What is necessary for a system to be viable?.
Answer: strongly goal-directed, governed by feedback, interdependent and
strongly coordinated components, and an ability to adapt to changing
circumstances (adaptable)
◍ Third generation computer languages (3GLs).
Answer: high-level programming languages such as FORTRAN, COBOL,
, C, Java, C++, and C#
◍ chief security officer (CSO).
Answer: is the highest level executive concerned with the overall security
functions and policies of a business.
◍ IPv6.
Answer: The latest IP iteration, it was developed to increase the number of
unique IP addresses, as each device that connects to the Internet needs its
own IP address and there were not enough to accommodate future devices.
◍ Physical Data Model.
Answer: a representation of a data design as implemented, or intended to be
implemented, in a database management system
◍ Conceptual Data Model.
Answer: a map of concepts and their relationships used for databases.
◍ Network Engineer.
Answer: Responsible for the layout, installation, and maintenance of all
information technology network components.
◍ First and second-generation computer languages.
Answer: were specific to the computer manufacturer (1GL) or to a specific
processor or environment (2GL).
◍ Software.
Answer: Provides instructions to computers to perform tasks.
◍ Evil Twin.
Answer: a fraudulent Wi-Fi access point that appears to be legitimate
◍ Workstation.
Answer: A powerful computer system that can handle intensive
mathematical operations; often used by engineers.
◍ Limits to Success (Archetypes).
Answer: A given effort initially generates positive results. However, over
time, the process reaches a constraint that slows down the overall
, performance.
◍ Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP).
Answer: Helps a business resume quickly and effectively after a disaster.
◍ History.
Answer: which consists of memories of past successes, failures,
◍ UNIX.
Answer: An operating system designed to code computer instructions in a
mainframe environment.
◍ Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
Answer: Involves utilizing computer technology to link various aspects of a
business; a very complex resource planning system that spans the entire
business; companies often have difficulty implementing the system.
◍ Information management.
Answer: The management of organizational processes and systems; helps
the organization reduce costs and adds value to products; helps the
organization make better managerial decisions; stores and processes data.
◍ Vulnerabilities.
Answer: weakness in the technology, process, and procedure, or people
involved with any given information asset
◍ Network Address Translation (NAT).
Answer: Allows private users to redefine network addresses to assign their
own addresses.
◍ Structured Query Language (SQL).
Answer: A computing language that is used with relational databases.
◍ Modular Design.
Answer: a design approach that subdivides a system into smaller parts called
modules or skids, that can be independently created and then used in
different systems.
◍ Virtual Credit Card.
, Answer: Requires the use two-factor authentication from a bank before
permitting the transaction.
◍ Executive Support Systems (ESS).
Answer: Helps executives make unstructured and semi-structured decisions;
includes internal and external data.
◍ Prescriptive Analytics.
Answer: the area of business analytics (BA) dedicated to finding the best
course of action for a given situation.
◍ Knowledge Management (KM).
Answer: These systems provide tools to help manage organizational
knowledge and create value to meet business requirements and strategic
goals.
◍ Drifting Goals (Archetypes).
Answer: Address a gap between current state and a "goal" the decision is
made to lower the goal. The effect is an gradual decline in system
performance.
◍ Principle of Least Privilege.
Answer: Limits access to only authorized users based upon job
requirements.
◍ Virtual Network.
Answer: Create peer-to-peer connections between computers.
◍ Tertiary storage.
Answer: consists of an automated robotic mechanism to mount and
dismount magnetic tape or optical discs.
◍ Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).
Answer: Used to manage and monitor emails that we receive.
◍ growth (business strategy).
Answer: adding new products or new enhancements to existing products
◍ Repeaters.
