Chapter 5 Review Questions

1. Describe systems analysis and the major activities that occur during this phase of the systems development life cycle.
During systems analysis, you determine how the current information system functions and assess what users would like to see in a new system. Requirements determination, requirements structuring, and alternative generation and selection are the three primary systems analysis activities.

2. What are some useful character traits for an analyst involved in requirements determination?
Requirements determination is a crucial part of the systems development life cycle; therefore impertinence, impartiality, relaxing constraints, attention to details, and reframing are important characteristics.

3. Describe three traditional techniques for collecting information during analysis. When might one be better than another?
Traditional techniques for collecting requirements include interviewing and listening, observing users, and analyzing procedures and other documents. Interviewing and listening involve talking with users individually or as a group to discover their views about the current and target systems; it also involves carefully preparing an interview outline and guide before conducting the interview. Interviews are best done when only a few people are involved, when you need open-ended questions or the questions vary from individual to individual, or when a more personal method is needed.

4. What are the general guidelines for conducting interviews?
The general guidelines for conducting interviews are summarized in Table 5-3. These guidelines include planning the interview, being neutral, listening and taking notes, reviewing these notes within 48 hours, and seeking diverse views. 5. What are the general guidelines for collecting data through observing workers?
When observing workers, it is