DCO20404 Exercise 4 (Answer)

1. Why has prototyping become a popular way to develop new computer-based business systems? What are prototypings advantages and disadvantages?

Prototyping is the rapid development and testing of working models, or prototypes, of new applications in an interactive, iterative process involving both IS specialists and business professionals. Prototyping makes the development process faster and easier for IS specialists and business professionals. Prototyping makes the development process faster and easier, especially for projects where end user requirements are hard to define. Thus, prototyping is sometimes called rapid application design (RAD). Prototyping has also opened up the application development process to end-users because it simplifies and accelerates systems design. These developments are changing the roles of end users and information systems specialists in systems development. Advantages: Prototyping is most useful when there is some uncertainty about requirements or design solutions. Prototyping is especially useful in designing an information systems end user interface (the part of the system that end users interact with, such as online display and data entry screens, reports, or Web pages). Since prototyping encourages intense end user involvement throughout systems development, it is more likely to produce systems that fulfil user requirements. Disadvantage: Rapid prototyping can gloss over essential steps in systems development. If the completed prototype works reasonably well, management may not see the need for reprogramming, redesign, or full documentation and testing to build a polished production system. Hastily constructed systems may not easily accommodate large quantities of data or a large number of users in a production environment. Prototyping may not have necessary security controls built in. Users may become dissatisfied when months pass between approving the prototype and delivery of the finished system. 2. Refer to the Real World Case on H&R Block, Morgan Stanley and Others in the chapter. What do you see as the major advantage to in-house developed applications? What is the major disadvantage? Several advantages emerged from in-house developed applications. First, the customer-facing applications can be tailored to specific needs of the customer and specific products and services of the vendor. Second, the increased speed associated with time to market often precludes the use of off-the-shelf solutions. Finally, for certain applications, no off-the-shelf solution exists. The single major disadvantage is the significantly higher software cost. 3. What are the three most important factors you would use in evaluating computer hardware? Computer software? Explain why. Computer hardware: Performance. Costs. Reliability Compatibility. Technology. Ergonomics.

Connectivity. Scalability. Software. Support.

Computer software: Quality. Efficiency. Flexibility Security. Connectivity. Maintenance. Documentation. Hardware. Other factors (see hardware factors above). 4. Assume that in your first week on a new job you are asked to use a type of business software that you have never used before. What kind of user training should your company provide to you before you start?

It certainly would not be very appropriate or even productive to expect a new employee to work on a business software package that they have absolutely no experience with. User training could be in the form of very formal training where the employee is actually enrolled in a course where they are taught the specific functions of the software in question. Other times, organizations will train new employees by putting them with a knowledgeable employee who is very familiar with the software. The new employees could have a scheduled training time allocated over a number of days or weeks, or they may actually sit with the senior person and do hands-on job training where they are working on the software program while under supervision. Your company should provide you with full training on this software before you even begin to work on it. Without the proper training, mistakes will be made, frustration will mount, and both the organization and individual will suffer because of this. Proper end user training is crucial for the success of all parties.