Information Resource Management - Coursework Example

 Information Resource Management a. What do we mean by transaction processing and what role did transaction processing systems play from the 1960s through the 1980s? How has that changed since the 1980s? Transaction processing is one kind of computer processing that involves a scenario in which the computer reacts immediately to user requests. In this type of processing every request is taken as a transaction. In 1960’s the transaction processing based systems were known as standard transaction-processing software and were closely coupled to particular database management systems. After that till 1980s the client–server computing applied and similar principles mixed for success of this technology. In addition, after 1980s transaction processing technology changed to distributed client–server model that has turned out to be more effective due to various online services. a. What is software engineering, why did it emerge, and how did it affect the systems development lifecycle? Software engineering (SE) refers to the maintaining and developing software systems that perform reliably as well as efficiently. This paradigm develops systems affordable and easy to maintain, as well as satisfy all the requirements that customers want to see in the developed systems. The SDLC (systems development life cycle) the life cycle of software development is employed in systems engineering and software engineering, which is the procedure for modifying and creating systems, methods and models. In this scenario software engineering is a concept behind the systems development life cycle for different types of software development techniques. These techniques offer a structure for planning as well as monitoring the development of an information system TOPIC 2: PROCESS INNOVATION (Answer two of four): a. Discuss human-computer interfaces. What was the major change from the DOS operating system to the Windows graphical user interface? What likely changes will occur to interfaces in the future? Will virtual reality be a viable means of interfacing with the computer? ........... Human computer interface is the study of communication among users and computers. It is frequently known as the intersection of behavioral sciences, computer science, design and numerous other fields of study. Interaction among users and computers happens at the user interface that contains both hardware and software. The DOS based operating system were operational through the command based user interface that was hard to use and complex to maintain. While the development of Windows based human-computer interfaces offered the graphical user interface (GUI) based interaction that is more interactive and easy to use. In this scenario virtual reality offers an enhanced means for interaction with computer that is a most advanced for the human-computer interfaces. It involves remote user interaction without some fixed platforms. b. What do we mean by business process reengineering? Why do processes need to be reengineered? How does reengineering work and what does this have to do with information systems? BPR (business process reengineering) is the analysis and redesign of workflow inside the corporation. The two main elements of an organization are the processes and the people. If people are motivated and working hard, however the business processes are awkward plus non-essential behavior remain. In such scenario the organizational performance will be extremely poor. However, in such condition BPR is the main factor and tool to transform the way how the people will work. In this way we have some minor transformations in processes that can have some dramatic influence on cash flow, service delivery and customer satisfaction. In addition, by using corporate information system reengineering we get enhanced performance of the business. TOPIC 3: E-GOVERNMENT (Answer two of four): a. What is the difference between e-government and e-commerce? How would you characterize the progress made thus far in automating government and achieving the reality of electronic g E-Governance is a huge area that deals with the entire spectrum of the association and networks inside government regarding the practice and application of ICTs. E-Government is in fact a narrower paradigm that deals with the development of web based services for the citizens, however these services are government services like that e-transportation, e-tax or e-health. On the other ecommerce is the process of carrying out business activities on internet. With the evolution of the web we have web based structure that offers a lot of facilities regarding deals and transactions. By implementing internet governments are able to offer a lot of facilities to their citizens. For instance, now people have facilities such as web based tax payment, billing, and transportations system. b. Explain the E-Government Act of 2002 ? what are the key elements? What is firstgov.gov? What is the Federal Enterprise Architecture? .......... The E-Government Act of 2002 is a US based act that was passed on 17-12-2002. E-Government Act is aimed at enhancing the management and promoting electronic government services and developments by assigning a Federal Chief Information Officer inside the office of management and budget. TOPIC 4: DATABASES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR (Answer two of four): a. Discuss the three core principles of the database revolution .......... The main principle of database revolution is to offer easily accessible data for analysis. The next is regarding the structure of table that is based on collection of connected rows and columns. Another main point is regarding the improvement of the conceptual speed of databases. b. Explain why database design is so important............ Database design is so most important in the database structure that is employed as a plan to store and manage business information or any type of data. The DBMS (database management system) is the software employed to carry out a database design. Database design is a significant component of application and system design. If we design our databases correctly, we will be rewarded with a concrete application based upon the better structure of data handling, manipulation and access. TOPIC 5: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY (Answer two of four): a. Discuss artificial intelligence and its potential application in the public sector. Artificial intelligence is the engineering and science of formulating and designing intelligent machines, particularly for intelligent computer programs. It is connected to the related jobs of employing computers to replicate and recognize the human intelligence; however artificial intelligence does not have to confine itself to techniques it has a lot of real world applications. Some important applications of the artificial intelligence are outlined below: Game playing Speech recognition Understanding natural language Computer vision Expert systems Heuristic classification b. Discuss virtual reality and its potential application in the public sector. Virtual reality is some sort of artificial environment that is developed using software and presented to a person in a way that the user believes and accepts it like a real situation. In case of virtual reality based computer we are mainly experienced in two of the five senses: view and sound. The much simpler type of virtual reality is a 3-D image that could be explored interactively at a personal computer, typically by controlling keys or the mouse. Virtual reality involves a lot of public implementations like that entertainment sector (movies, games) and training areas (fight simulators). However there are some special implementations of the virtual reality in the following areas: Manufacturing Augmented Reality Education & Training ART Medical Virtual Communities & Distributed VR Architecture Visualization TOPIC 6: STRATEGIC PLANNING, SECURITY AND PRIVACY (Answer two of four): a. What are the primary challenges facing IT organizations in terms of developing effective strategic plans in public sector organizations? One of main primary challenges facing IT organizations in terms of developing effective strategic plans in public sector organizations is to make sure that we do not define our business too narrowly. In this scenario the main concern is about leaving open to economic competitive challenges or changes that make us vulnerable. In IT organizations currently main challenge is the changing needs of clients. In scenario of new technology the needs are increasing day by day and demanding a lot of potential transformations. b. Discuss how the computer is used as a tool to commit crime and what steps can be taken or are being taken to prevent it. Presently computer is a functional tool to commit a crime. In this scenario computer is used for web based hacking and frauds. In lot of cases we can see the online money fraud, identity theft, website hacking, business information theft and exposing, government secrete information theft, viruses attacks, spamming etc. However, they are different types of frauds and crimes but they are done through the computer systems. By using computer system security tools we can stop/avoid such type of attacks. These tools can be network firewall, antivirus system, tight login based system, etc. TOPIC 7: MAKING SMART IT CHOICES (Answer two of four): a. How does transparency help align IT with the business of an agency? Transparency aligns IT with the business of an agency because it approaches to transform the perception of IT’s value in the business. In this scenario internal IT departments happily hide at the back or cover of opacity. Additionally, they do not desire the company to recognize what they are what performance levels IT is achieving (as well as missing), expending on IT, or how business optional project achievement rates are trending. However some IT group intentions on turning doubters into supporters have to up hold IT performance visibility. b. Explain how IT investment performance measures are both a vehicle for managing and a vehicle for communicating. IT investment performance is based on the present occurrence of complementarities among organizational and IT capitals suggest that IT investment decisions must be established at the exactly organizational level to make sure that together IT and organizational factors are taken into account. IT governance that establishes the allocation of IT decision rights inside a corporation performs a significant role in IT investment performance. IT investment offers enhanced tools regarding effective management of the business data. The technologies are offering effective business data sharing and handing within different corporate areas. In this way IT investment is more demanding in the business. TOPIC 8: IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT (Answer two of four): a. Discuss the various systems development life cycles. Why is there more than one? Which one is best? In case of systems development we have a variety of life cycles such as waterfall, spiral, rapid application development, prototyping and incremental. They have different operational paths and development phases. In these system development methodologies the most effective development methodology is determined through the needs of the project. In this scenario we can declare the effectiveness of any system development life cycle through its needs and connection to project. For example for a small project waterfall is most efficient.. b. How does systems development differ from systems operations and maintenance? How should a system be managed throughout the different phases? Should the same group/persons manage development as manage operations and maintenance? Why or why not? System development is the development of new system from scratch. The system development is the development of new technology based platform for handling any corporate needs. On the other hand system maintenance is the process of adding and updating functionalities into the currently/existing operational system. However, these both system development activities have approximately similar needs such as requirement gathering, defining new design, development and implementation. TOPIC 9: IT CAPITAL PLANNING AND INVESTMENT CONTROL (Answer two of four): a. What is an IT Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC) process? What laws and regulations necessitated its implementation? Why were the laws and regulations enacted? Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC) is the process of enhancing and strengthening the business decision making abilities. Additionally, the enhancement in decision making means increasing the business potential revenue. The laws and regulations are really necessary to implement because we desire to enhance the corporate performance by taking business decisions. Capital Planning and Investment Control helps take more accurate and effective business decisions. b. What are the differences between an IT project and an IT investment? In terms of how projects have been managed in the past, what changes in management need to be made in order to implement an investment management approach? IT project and IT investment different terms regarding new system or technology implementation. In IT project we are aimed at managing the project activities to achieve project objectives or fulfill project needs. On the other hand, the IT investment is aimed at analyzing and implementing some new technology at corporation. TOPIC 10: IT PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (Answer two of four): a. What are the key elements of an effective CPIC process? Capital Planning and Investment Control needs various elements that can be placed within the industry. These elements can be organization behavior and activity, use of strategic enterprise architecture, change in agency culture and fundamental change to business system development techniques. b. How does an agency analyze its portfolio? To analyze the portfolio of an agency the main factor is its alignment to the corporate operations. The portfolio is assessed for effectiveness and potential advantages that new project can bring. Here we can perform some sort of cost benefit analysis to accept and implement. Read More