Software Development Life Cycle - Assignment Example

Computer Sciences and Information Technology Assume that a list of requirements for a new system has been put together. List 4 stages of the SDLC where those requirements are used and explain how the list of requirements would be used during each stage. SDLC is the abbreviation for Software Development Life Cycle. SDLC is a series of steps that develops a model for the development of software (Mishra & Simant, 2009). The steps include: - requirement analysis, design, implementation, testing and evolution (Mishra & Simant, 2009). The four steps to be discussed are Requirement analysis In this stage the requirements are gathered and analyzed. Then the users of the systeme are determined and the manner in which they are going to use it in order to know what to put in place. Moreover, input system data and output data system is also established. The requirement validity is also assessed at this stage. Design At this stage the guidelines are followed from the requirement specification manuscript. The system requirements are divided in software and hardware as stipulated by the requirement specification manuscript. Furthermore, the overall system building is defined thus marking a design specifications manuscript. Implementation The code is developed at this stage and is very crucial as it is the main focus of the system developer. The system design manuscript dictates the division of modules which leads to the start of coding. The process takes a lot of time. Testing The code is the main thing tested after implementation. The code is tested against the requirements mentioned in the requirements analysis. The requirements must be fully functioning and solve the requirements needs as system and integration testing are conducted. 2. Choose four standard corporate executive positions and describe their roles on the IT Steering Committee. An IT steering committee is a managerial body which evaluates, supervises and prioritizes major IT projects. The four standard corporate executive positions include:- CEO (chief executive officer) The CEO’s role at the IT steering committee is to take responsibility of every operation that takes place in the company. The CEO makes and implements decisions and initiatives on behalf of the board of directors and the company. The CEO also ensures a smooth operation of daily operations in the company. In many instances the CEO is also the president of the company and a member and director of the board of directors. CFO (chief financial officer) The CFO is under the CEO. The CFO’s role at the IT steering committee is to appraise financial data incurred by the IT department and even the company itself. He/she is also responsible for the reporting of IT department’s financial performance in that he/she supervises expenditures, costs and organizes the budget to be used by the IT department. The CFO also provides IT department’s financial wellbeing and veracity to bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission. CIO (chief information officer) The CIO is the most concerned individual with the IT department than any other standard executive officer. He/she is professionally and internally oriented for the technological needs of the IT department. The CIO makes decision on the IT field while also maintaining IT software, hardware and any other new IT initiatives in the company. CLA (chief legal affairs) The CLA is like the lawyer of the company responsible for the all the legal decisions to be made in the company. In the IT steering committee the CLA is responsible for making laws on what software, hardware or any other IT initiative can be used and which are unlawful. The CLA oversees the legal cases that can arise due to misuse of the computer and other IT functions in the company. He/she also advises the IT department on the new laws which could lead to infringement of privacy and copyrighted materials. In addition, the CLA also gives out counsel to the IT department the new and unused software and hardware that can give them an edge over competition from rival companies and what wares can make work easier and faster. 3. Explain the relationship between the IT architecture and the IT Roadmap used in the IT Strategic Plan. IT architecture is the process where IT models and specifications are developed while an IT roadmap can be defined as where IT explores new trends and strategies for future IT solutions (Perks & Beveridge, 2003). Therefore, the relationship between the IT architecture and the IT roadmap used in the IT strategic plan is that roadmaps form the fundamental planning while the architecture uses the roadmaps to develop a strategic IT plan for future IT solutions. 4. Different kinds of personnel are required to staff an IT department depending on their IT strategy. For the two organizations below, identify four IT positions that are most important in each organization and why a. An organization whose IT strategy is to outsource as much of their IT as possible. - CIO (chief information officer)- for the management of all company operations and ensure smooth flow of the outsourced individuals with the help of the senior management team. - CLA (chief legal affairs)- to oversee the legal formalities that is related to outsourcing. He also overlooks if legal IT systems are implemented. -CPO (chief procurement officer)- he is focused on sourcing solutions for the company, procurement issues and supply management. -CTO (chief technology officer)-checks the validity of science and technological issues. He also ensures a smooth running of the IT department. b. An organization whose IT strategy is to develop proprietary, in-house applications that directly support their business and operation. -CEO (chief executive officer)- overall company overseer to ensure smooth operations. -CVO (chief visionary officer)-advices the company CEO on the need to develop proprietary and in house applications. -CRO (chief revenue officer)- reviews all money related issues as pertaining to company proprietary budgets and how in house applications can be used to generate income for the company. -CLO (CHIEF learning officer)- ensures the training of in house staff and personal training to other executive members in the company. 5. Explain what business continuity planning is, who should create the plan, and the role of IT. business continuity planning can be defined as a plan as to how a business enterprise can be continue its operations after being affected by short term, long term or permanent disasters (Olsen, 2013). The business continuity plan should be created by the chief executive officer CEO. The role of IT in a business continuity plan is to create a virtual phenomenal which can lead to disaster and try to find solutions via IT in such eventualities. 6. Explain what it means to say that the IT Strategic Plan is aligned to the business Strategic Plan. IT strategic plan is aligned to the business strategic plan in that a business strategic plan is the one responsible for the strategic planning which includes resolution making and resource allotment in the chase of the strategy (Barksdale & Lund, 2006). Therefore, IT strategic plan is incorporated in the business strategic plan and works with the already formulated business plan with the addition of information technology. 7. Explain risk management and what it means to the CIO. Risk management is the recognition, evaluation and prioritization of risks followed by harmonized economical use of assets to curtail, observe and manage the chances of such adverse events (Royer, 2001). To the CIO risk management means that maintaining and servicing all IT requirements to ensure smooth functioning and minimizing IT breakdowns and collapse. It also means the use of new and up to date software and hardware to keep up with technology and to reduce risks of potentially harmful viruses and IT wares. 8. Give an example of a tangible (quantifiable) and an intangible (qualitative) performance measure and discuss the value of each. An example of a tangible (quantifiable) performance measure is repeat business or loyalty. The value of tangible performance measure in a company is that the company will get more profits and have a strong customer base. An example of an intangible (qualitative) performance measure is dependability. The value of intangible performance measure to a company is that the daily operations of a company will be smooth and hence high production rates. 9. The CIO is responsible for the business rules or requirements that generate a new system or changes to the existing system. How is his/her role responsible for these changes? The CIO’s role is responsible for the business ideas that generate new system changes in a company because he/she reports directly to the CEO. The CEO is the overall decision maker therefore, after being advised by the CIO on new IT platforms needed he/she implements the decisions. Furthermore, the CIO is internally oriented on the company’s technological advancements. Furthermore, the CIO is in charge of maintaining new software and hardware platforms for IT. 10. What is chain management and how does it relate to the IT organization? Supply chain management is the representative of the labors by dealers to expand and execute cost-effective supply chains (Coyle & Coyle, 2009). This is to mainly help exploit consumer value and achieve cutthroat advantage in the market. Chain management relate to the IT organization in that IT staff use new software in the market to achieve competitive advantage in the market as new software are being generated daily. These new software depict the hard work of the software developers companies and are used by IT companies to gain advantage over rivals. References Barksdale, S., & Lund, T. (2006). 10 steps to successful strategic planning. Alexandria, Va: ASTD Press. Coyle, J. J., & Coyle, J. J. (2009). Supply chain management: A logistics perspective. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Olsen, E. (2013). Strategic planning for dummies. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons. Royer, P. S. (2001). Project risk management: A proactive approach. Vienna, Virg: Management Concepts. Mishra, R. C., & Simant, . (2009). Mechanical system design. New Delhi: PHI Learning Private Ltd. Perks, C., & Beveridge, T. (2003). Guide to enterprise IT architecture. New York [u.a.: Springer. Read More