MIS - Computer Science Trivia Questions

Offshore outsourcing refers to the practice of contracting with a company that is located in a different country, typically one that is geographically far away. This allows businesses to take advantage of lower labor and operational costs in other countries. Offshore outsourcing is often chosen when companies want to access specialized skills, reduce costs, or increase efficiency. It involves delegating tasks or projects to a company in a different time zone or region, which may require effective communication and coordination strategies to overcome potential challenges.

A group of people who responds to end users questions is called a help desk. They are responsible for providing technical support and assistance to end users, resolving their issues and answering their queries. The help desk team is typically equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to troubleshoot and solve various technical problems faced by users. They play a crucial role in ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining the smooth functioning of systems and services.

During the development phase of the SDLC, software is actually written. This phase involves converting the design specifications into actual code by programmers. It is the stage where the software is built according to the requirements and functionalities outlined in the earlier stages. The development phase includes activities such as coding, debugging, and integration of different modules. This is the crucial step where the software is created and prepared for further testing and deployment.

Workshop training is held in a classroom environment and led by an instructor. This type of training involves interactive sessions where participants learn new skills, acquire knowledge, and practice techniques. It provides a structured learning experience, allowing individuals to engage with the instructor and fellow participants, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback. Workshop training is often used to enhance professional development, improve job performance, and foster collaboration and teamwork among participants.

Business requirements refer to the detailed set of end-user requests that the system must meet to be successful. These requirements are specific and detailed, outlining the needs and expectations of the business or organization. They serve as a guide for the design and development of the system, ensuring that it meets the desired objectives and goals. The business requirements provide a clear understanding of what the system should accomplish and serve as a foundation for the project scope and design phase.

Integration testing verifies that separate systems can work together. This type of testing is performed to ensure that the individual components of a system, such as modules or subsystems, can function correctly when integrated with each other. It aims to identify any issues or defects that may arise due to the interaction between different components. By conducting integration testing, organizations can ensure that their systems are functioning as a cohesive unit and that all the integrated components are working properly together.

Pilot implementation is the correct answer because it refers to a small group of people using a new system to test its functionality and effectiveness before rolling it out to the rest of the users. This approach allows any issues or bugs to be identified and resolved before a full-scale implementation, ensuring a smoother transition and minimizing potential disruptions for a larger user base.

Insourcing occurs when IT specialists within the company develop new systems. This means that instead of hiring external contractors or outsourcing the task to another company, the company utilizes its own internal resources to handle the development process. This can be advantageous as it allows for greater control, coordination, and customization of the system to meet the company's specific needs. It also helps in fostering innovation and knowledge retention within the organization.

A project milestone represents key dates or events in a project for which a certain group of activities need to be performed. It is a significant point in the project timeline that marks the completion of a major deliverable or achievement. Project milestones help track progress, provide a sense of accomplishment, and allow for effective project management and communication. They are typically used to monitor and evaluate the project's progress and ensure that it is on track to meet its objectives.

During the implementation phase of the SDLC, users begin using the new system. This phase involves the actual development and installation of the system, including coding, testing, and deployment. Once the system is implemented, users can start using it to perform their tasks and achieve their goals. This phase is crucial as it marks the transition from the old system to the new one, and it allows users to experience the benefits and functionality of the new system.

A service legal agreement is a formal contractually obligated agreement between two parties. It outlines the terms and conditions that both parties must adhere to when providing or receiving services. This agreement ensures that both parties have a clear understanding of their rights, responsibilities, and obligations. It helps to establish a legally binding relationship and provides a framework for resolving any disputes that may arise during the course of the agreement.

The systems development life cycle is a structured step-by-step approach for developing information systems. It encompasses various phases such as planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance. This approach ensures that the development process is systematic and follows a logical sequence, allowing for efficient and effective creation of information systems. XP and Agile are specific methodologies within the systems development life cycle, but they are not the overall approach itself. Therefore, the correct answer is the systems development life cycle.

A project manager is an individual who is responsible for project planning and management. They have expertise in defining and developing the project plan and ensuring that all key project milestones are completed on time. They play a crucial role in overseeing the project's progress, coordinating with team members, and ensuring that the project is executed successfully.

A proof of concept prototype is used to demonstrate the technical feasibility of a proposed system. It allows stakeholders to see how the system would work in practice and assess its viability. This prototype helps to validate the underlying technology, identify potential issues, and gather feedback before committing to full-scale development. It is an essential step in the development process to ensure that the proposed system can be successfully implemented.

A critical success factor is a factor that is essential for the success of an organization. It refers to those key elements or variables that must be in place for an organization to achieve its objectives and goals. These factors are crucial as they directly contribute to the overall success and performance of the organization. They help in identifying the key areas that need to be focused on and prioritized in order to achieve success.

Self sourcing refers to the development and support of IT systems by end users without the assistance of IT specialists. This means that individuals within an organization take on the responsibility of creating and maintaining their own IT solutions, often using tools and resources that are readily available to them. Self sourcing can be a cost-effective and efficient way for organizations to meet their IT needs, as it empowers end users to take ownership of their technology requirements.

The maintenance phase of the SDLC involves monitoring an information system to be sure it meets business needs. During this phase, any issues or bugs in the system are identified and fixed, updates and improvements are made, and the system is continuously monitored to ensure it is functioning properly and meeting the requirements of the business. This phase is crucial for the long-term success and effectiveness of the information system.

Prototyping is the process of building a model that demonstrates the features of a proposed product, service, or system. This involves creating a working prototype that allows stakeholders to visualize and interact with the product before it is fully developed. Prototyping helps to identify any design flaws or improvements that need to be made, and it allows for testing and feedback from users. It is an essential step in the product development process to ensure that the final product meets the desired requirements and expectations.

Prototyping is an iterative process where a model of the information system is created based on business requirements. This model is then demonstrated to end users, who provide feedback. The model is refined and enhanced based on these comments. This process allows for the development of a system that meets the needs of the end users and ensures that their requirements are properly incorporated into the final product.

Scope creep refers to the gradual expansion or addition of requirements, features, or deliverables to a project beyond its original scope. It often occurs when there is poor project management or lack of control over changes. This can result in increased costs, delays, and potential negative impacts on the project's objectives.

A requirements definition document is used to prioritize the business requirements and place them in a formal comprehensive document. This document helps in clearly defining and documenting the needs and expectations of the stakeholders, ensuring that all parties involved are on the same page. It serves as a guide for the project team and helps in making informed decisions regarding the development process.

During the design phase of the SDLC, a technical blueprint of how the proposed system will work is created. This involves identifying and defining the system requirements, designing the system architecture, and creating detailed specifications for the system components. The design phase focuses on translating the user requirements into a technical solution that can be implemented. It lays the foundation for the development and implementation phases of the SDLC.

The correct answer is "plunge". This term refers to an implementation strategy where the old system is completely discarded and the new system is immediately put into use. It implies a sudden and drastic change, without any gradual transition or coexistence of the old and new systems.

Feature creep refers to the phenomenon where developers add additional features to a project that were not originally part of the initial requirements. This can happen when developers receive feedback or suggestions from stakeholders during the development process, causing them to continuously add new features without proper consideration of the project's scope. Feature creep can lead to delays, increased costs, and a loss of focus on the project's original goals.

Modeling refers to the activity of creating a graphical representation or visual representation of a design. This can include creating 3D models, architectural blueprints, or even digital mockups. It helps designers and developers to better understand and communicate their ideas, as well as identify any potential issues or improvements before the actual implementation. Prototyping, testing, and planning are all important steps in the design process, but they do not specifically involve drawing a graphical representation like modeling does.

End users are individuals who interact with IT systems. They are the individuals who use the software or hardware that has been developed. They are the final users of the system and their needs and preferences are taken into consideration during the development process. The end users play a crucial role in testing and providing feedback on the system, ensuring that it meets their requirements and is user-friendly.

Unit testing focuses on testing the individual pieces of code within a new system. This type of testing is performed at the lowest level of the software development process and is used to ensure that each unit of code, such as a function or method, performs as expected. Unit tests are typically written by the developers themselves and are used to catch any errors or bugs in the code before it is integrated into the larger system.

Rapid application development (RAD) emphasizes extensive user involvement in the rapid and evolutionary construction of working prototypes of a system to accelerate the systems development process. This approach focuses on quickly developing functional prototypes that can be tested and refined based on user feedback. It aims to reduce development time and increase customer satisfaction by involving users throughout the development process. RAD is characterized by iterative development, frequent user feedback, and the use of rapid prototyping tools and techniques.

The planning phase of the SDLC is where a solid plan for developing the information system is determined. This phase involves gathering requirements, defining project scope, creating a timeline, and allocating resources. It is crucial to have a well-thought-out plan in order to ensure the success of the development process and to meet the needs and expectations of the stakeholders. Without proper planning, the development process may lack direction and face various challenges and setbacks.

The invisible back log refers to the list of all systems that an organization needs to develop but are never funded due to the lack of organizational resources. These systems are often deprioritized and remain unseen or invisible, causing them to be left behind in the development process.

Outsourcing is the correct answer because it involves delegating specific work to a third party for a specified length of time and cost. It also mentions that outsourcing organizations are invited to submit bids for the development of the work. This aligns with the definition and process of outsourcing, where companies contract external parties to handle certain tasks or functions.

A request for proposal is a formal document that outlines the specific requirements for a proposed system and invites outsourcing organizations to submit bids for its development. This document serves as a detailed description of the logical requirements and expectations for the system, allowing potential outsourcing organizations to understand the scope of work and provide their proposed solutions and cost estimates. It is an essential step in the procurement process and helps ensure that the system development aligns with the organization's needs and objectives.

In most service level agreements, the technical specifications are included in a supporting document called service level specifications. This document outlines the specific requirements and expectations for the technical aspects of the service being provided. It helps to define the performance standards, availability, response times, and other technical details that both parties agree upon. This separate document allows for a clear and detailed understanding of the technical requirements without cluttering the main service level agreement.

Onshore outsourcing refers to the practice of using another company within the same country to perform IT functions. This means that businesses are hiring external companies or contractors located within their own country to handle their IT needs, rather than outsourcing to companies located in different countries. Onshore outsourcing is often chosen for its proximity, which allows for easier communication, cultural similarities, and potentially lower costs compared to offshore outsourcing.

During the testing phase of the SDLC, the organization conducts various tests to ensure that the new system functions properly and fulfills all the business requirements. This phase involves testing the system's functionality, performance, security, and compatibility with other systems. It helps identify any issues or bugs that need to be fixed before the system is implemented. By verifying the system through rigorous testing, the organization can ensure that it meets all the necessary criteria and is ready for deployment.

A U.S. company using a Canadian outsourcing company would be an example of nearshore outsourcing. Nearshore outsourcing refers to the practice of contracting work to a neighboring country or a country that is geographically close. In this case, the proximity of Canada to the United States makes it a nearshore outsourcing option for the U.S. company.

Test conditions are the detailed steps the system must perform along with the expected results of each step. This involves setting up specific scenarios and inputs to test the functionality of the system. By defining test conditions, the tester can ensure that all aspects of the system are thoroughly tested and that the expected results are met. This helps in identifying any bugs or issues in the system and ensures that it meets the desired requirements and specifications.

The session described in the question is a meeting between end users and IT specialists to define and review business requirements. This is commonly known as a "requirements gathering" session. The term "join application development" does not accurately describe this session, as it implies a specific phase in the development process rather than the gathering of requirements. The other options, such as "requirements definition document," "design phase," and "technical architecture," are not specific to the meeting described in the question.

The main tools for self-sourcing have been and continue to be spreadsheets and databases. Spreadsheets allow individuals to organize and analyze data in a structured manner, while databases provide a centralized storage system for large amounts of data. These tools are commonly used in self-sourcing because they enable individuals to independently collect, manage, and analyze data without relying on external sources. Web development, although mentioned in the question, is not directly related to self-sourcing and therefore not included in the correct answer.

A service level agreement is a formal contractual obligation agreement that defines the work to be done, the time frame, the metrics that will be used to measure the success of the systems development efforts, and the costs. It is a document that outlines the expectations and responsibilities of both parties involved in a service agreement, ensuring that there is a clear understanding of the services to be provided and the standards to be met.

The analysis phase in the SDLC involves end users and IT specialists working together to gather, understand, and document the business requirements for the proposed system. During this phase, the current system is studied, and the needs and objectives of the new system are identified. The analysis phase is crucial as it sets the foundation for the design and development of the system, ensuring that it meets the specific requirements of the business.

User documentation is a type of instructional material that provides guidance on how to use a system. It typically includes written instructions, diagrams, and examples to help users understand and navigate through the system's features and functionalities. User documentation is an effective way to highlight the step-by-step process of using the system, making it easier for users to learn and utilize its capabilities. Workshop training and pilot implementation may also provide guidance, but user documentation specifically focuses on explaining how to use the system.

The project scope document clearly defines the high level system requirements. It outlines the boundaries, deliverables, and objectives of the project, providing a clear understanding of what needs to be achieved. This document helps stakeholders and team members align their expectations and ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding the project's goals and objectives. It acts as a reference point throughout the project, guiding decision-making and preventing scope creep, which is the tendency for project requirements to expand beyond their original scope.

Testing is the process of evaluating a system or its component(s) with the purpose of finding whether it satisfies the specified requirements or not. In this context, testing is used to verify that the units of a system function correctly when integrated into the total system. It ensures that each unit of the system performs as expected and interacts properly with other units, ultimately contributing to the overall functionality and reliability of the system.

Technical architecture refers to the overall structure and organization of hardware, software, and telecommunications equipment necessary to support and operate a system. It defines the components, their relationships, and how they interact to fulfill the system's requirements. This includes hardware specifications, software platforms, network infrastructure, and other technical considerations. The technical architecture serves as a blueprint for building and maintaining the system, ensuring that all necessary components are in place and properly integrated.

Agile methodology, a form of XP, aims for customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of useful software components. This approach emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and iterative development, allowing teams to quickly respond to changing requirements and deliver value to the customer in shorter timeframes. By breaking the development process into smaller, manageable increments, Agile methodology enables teams to gather feedback and make adjustments throughout the project, resulting in a higher likelihood of meeting customer expectations and delivering a successful product.

The project scope document is a concise written description of the project's objectives, deliverables, and boundaries. It outlines the specific goals, requirements, and constraints of the project in a brief paragraph. This document serves as a guide for the project team and stakeholders to understand the project's purpose and what is included within its scope. It helps prevent feature creep by clearly defining what is in and out of scope. The project scope document is typically kept short to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

A project plan is a detailed document that outlines all the necessary information for system development. It includes the activities that need to be performed, the people or resources responsible for each activity, and the estimated time required for completion. This plan serves as a roadmap for the entire project, providing guidance and direction to ensure that all aspects of the system development process are properly executed.

User acceptance testing is the process of evaluating a system to determine if it meets the business requirements and enables end users to perform their jobs correctly. This type of testing involves end users testing the system in a real-world environment to ensure that it meets their needs and expectations. It helps to identify any issues or defects that may have been missed during development and ensures that the system is ready for deployment. User acceptance testing is an important step in the software development lifecycle to ensure that the system is usable and meets the needs of the end users.

Component-based development is a general approach to system development that focuses on building small, self-contained blocks of code that can be reused across a variety of applications within an organization. This approach allows for greater flexibility and efficiency in software development, as developers can leverage existing components rather than building everything from scratch. By creating reusable components, organizations can save time and resources by reusing code and reducing redundancy. This approach also promotes modularization and flexibility, making it easier to maintain and update software systems.