SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN JULY 2022

SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
Module II
Time: 3 hours

Instructions to candidates:
This paper consists of EIGHT questions.
Answer any FIVE questions.
All questions carry equal marks.
Candidates to answer all the questions in English.

1.
(a) Explain the cause of scope creep during system development.
Answer: Scope creep happens due to uncontrolled changes or continuous growth in a project’s scope, often caused by unclear objectives, changing client demands, or poor initial requirement gathering.

(b) Outline four advantages of an expert system.
Answer:

  1. Consistent decision-making.
  2. Reduces decision-making time.
  3. Provides expertise in the absence of experts.
  4. Handles complex problems efficiently.

(c) Differentiate between structured and unstructured decisions as used in systems theory.
Answer:

  • Structured decisions are repetitive and routine, with specific procedures for handling them.
  • Unstructured decisions are new, with no well-defined procedure for making them.

2.
(a) Describe the three elements that could be included in a data dictionary.
Answer:

  1. Data element names and definitions.
  2. Data type (e.g., text, number).
  3. Validation rules and constraints.

(b) Mention two inputs to a logical input interface for an information system.
Answer:

  1. Input forms.
  2. Input data screens.

(c) Outline two examples of external problem indicators in the development of an information system.
Answer:

  1. System outages or downtimes.
  2. User dissatisfaction or complaints.

3.
(a) Differentiate between critical and adaptive activities as used in ICT project management.
Answer:

  • Critical activities are those that must be completed on time for the project to finish by the scheduled deadline.
  • Adaptive activities allow for flexibility and change during the project development to accommodate new requirements or issues.

(b) Explain two activities of a project manager in an ICT project.
Answer:

  1. Planning and scheduling tasks and resources.
  2. Monitoring progress and making adjustments as needed to meet deadlines.

4.
(a) Outline two advantages of using CASE tools during system analysis.
Answer:

  1. Automation of manual tasks, saving time and reducing errors.
  2. Improved accuracy in system modeling and documentation.

(b) Explain the term “break-even point” as used in feasibility study.
Answer:
The break-even point is when the total revenues from a project equal the total costs, indicating no profit or loss.

5.
(a) Explain the term acceptance testing as used in system development.
Answer:
Acceptance testing is a process where the system is tested by end-users to ensure it meets their requirements before going live.

(b) Outline two circumstances where corrective maintenance may be carried out in an ICT system.
Answer:

  1. To fix a system bug after deployment.
  2. To restore system functionality after a failure.

6.
(a) Outline the challenges a user could experience when using an information system that lacks user acceptance.
Answer:

  1. Difficulty in understanding how to use the system.
  2. Resistance to change, leading to underutilization of the system.

(b) Differentiate between workflow and a work breakdown structure.
Answer:

  • Workflow refers to the sequence of processes or tasks in a business process.
  • Work breakdown structure (WBS) is a decomposition of a project into smaller, manageable components.