Managing Information Technology - Coursework Example

Question Distinguishing characteristics of an executive information system (E.I.S), and why have these systems become a part of business intelligence in many companies-200 words Executive information systems bring along large number of features and functions that makes it easier for the top management to make decisions with regard to the company progress and performance. One of the prime features offered by it is it enables making decisions with regard to the critical success factors and other important domains of the business activities. E.I.S is an integral part of the decision support system, based on which the activities are aligned in terms of prioritization. The data extraction and availability made possible through the E.I.S allows for coordinating the functions in line with the initially set forth goals and objectives. An added feature of executive Information system is its support for the graphical functions representation. Unlike the predecessor solution providers that only provided data figures, this system through the help of graphs, comparison charts and other similar displays make it possible understanding the scenario in a better manner. Integration of the internal data with the external variables is another feature function of E.I.S. Creating a budget that is in line with the needs of the organization is also made possible through this utility feature system. Owing to their excellent output, their increased productivity and reduced hassle, the larger enterprises and front runner business trend setters have adopted these systems into their networks. Question 2: Data warehouse and data mining: how are they related . List at least two techniques ( decision technologies ) that are used in data mining ? Data mining is a modern trend that has emerged with the evolution of the information technology based support systems. As the name would imply, it is the investigation and assessment of the different variables and different data sheets and facts through a certain critical viewing and perspective. The two concepts are equally intertwined, while data mining is related to the dissected and detailed investigation and assessment of the overall facts and data at hand, the data warehouse in contrast serves as a repository of information and overall monitoring level tool and software support system. Number of techniques and strategies can be adopted with regard to the data mining process and utilization of the software. Two of the most commonly used techniques include clustering and classification techniques. Through the technique of clustering different set of variables may be brought together for a cumulative assessment of key variables. The cluster technique allows targeting and segregating two set of variables and responders in a data set collected from a survey or any other observational study undertaken. Source : (Brown, 2012) Decision tree is another commonly used technique in data mining. A two way answering mechanism is used in the decision tree system that undertakes a given scenario systematically. Question 3: What conditions and methods improve the changes that the off shore outsourcing of system development will be successful? Pre determination of the hidden costs and labor rates determination in a timely manner are two of the elements that make it possible for off shore activities to become a success. By providing the third party with established infrastructural support which may also include the finances and business solutions also impact the overall outcome at the end of the project. Timely communication and state of the art technological setup also enables making the off shore activities a success. Question 4: Briefly describe the elements of business case for a new information systems project under SDLC methodology? The System Development Life Cycle which is an information technology enabled software support system makes it possible for the enterprises to accomplish their goals in a desired manner. This includes the timely assessment of the variables of design, analysis, planning and implementation as the final stage. In the information systems, these functions that are generically described will include software, hardware, maintenance, and expertise hiring functions along with successful execution over the softwares. Question 5: Briefly describe the steps of a pure prototyping methodology as an alternative to the SDLC approach. Which disadvantage of the SDLC is addressed by the prototyping approach? Horizontal prototyping is largely used as a common methodological technique with regard to finding solutions and eliminating the unnecessary functions from a process. Two of the salient functions and features that enable prototyping methodology an edge over the SDLC approach is its consideration of the affectivity and impact of a given process over a given product or service. The absence of the feature of accuracy in the SDLC gives it a weak ground with regard to its comparison and implementation over the pure prototyping methodology that is often preferred against the SDLC model. Question 6: What is an RFP and what critical points does it facilitate in the purchasing process? RFP is an acronym for Request for Proposal is the chest nut to the overall business process. It is one set of document and paper that holds much more important information, stats, facts and processes. Out of the many important aspects entailed and possessed, it also contains the contract agreement details, the goals set forth, the deliverables initially established. It may also include the company’s internal and privately determined and discussed matters which may not be made public. Question 7: What are some issues associated with managing off shore outsourcing? Off shore outsourcing is often termed as a gamble with number of risks faced straight away. The absence of the own team, and the lack of own environment may serve as one of the most challenging task. Instructing from across the border with mere reliance on the digital means may also pose a potential threat. Keeping the entire supply chain and stakeholders on board is another potential issue that may arise any time during the off shore experiences. Question 8: What is balanced scoreboard approach and why it may be useful towards the overall information systems performance? The balanced scoreboard is a technique, concept and phenomena undertaken for the purpose of bringing about coherence and synchronization between the activities and actions that are taking place on ground with the initially set forth goals and objectives and deliverables list. In an information system performance oriented network, it helps keeping the external threats to a minimal level and allows for safer operation of the software support systems. Balanced scoreboard allows keeping a check on the pace of activities in the information system networks (DeHayes et.al, 2011). Question 9: The practice of collecting data might be hurting privacy, many companies use I.T to measure the quality and quantity of an employee’s work. Discuss the ethical implications? Any organization that hires any individual has to respect his or her privacy. His overall performance and quality determination should be done so only through the final outcome of the project and at the end of given term or session. Sneaking into their private records, the routine activities is against the basic rights that may be provided to a free citizen and employee who must be provided with an environment free of any intrusion and searching into his personal activities. Question Number 10: Downloading music from unreliable sources such as torrents and other free online websites is an outright violation of the copy rights set forth against the music. The large number of people are doing this because of the free of cost factor. The direct impact falls upon the business industry and the music recording artists who end up receiving nothing form it. Their original and copy righted C.Ds go unsold in the markets as a result of this. The piracy watchdogs need to work on this domain and ensure curtailing over such trends. References: Brown, M. (2012, Dec 11). Data mining Techniques. Retrieved from IBm: http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/opensource/library/ba-data-mining-techniques/index.html DeHayes, D. W., Perkins, W. C., DeHayes, & Martin, W. E. (2011). Managing Information Technology. Pearson Prentice Hall, Read More