Strategic Information Systems - Assignment Example

Strategic Information Systems Question One a) Disadvantages of Automated Testing Tool Automation testing tools reduce the need of human or manual involvement in unskilled, redundant and repetitive tasks. The introduction of automated testing tools comes with its own disadvantages on the staff, management and clients. One of the disadvantages is that proficiency is needed in writing the automation test scripts. In addition to that, it is difficult to debug the test script since any error in the test script may result in deadly consequences. Another major disadvantage with automation testing tools is that test maintenance is expensive especially when playback methods are used. Even if a small change occurs, the test script is required to be recorded again or replaced by a new test script. Additionally, the maintenance of test data files can be difficult whenever the test script tests more screens. These disadvantages cause damage to the benefits that come with automated scripts. b) i) The Plan Step This step involves improving the operations in the organization by finding out the problems in the soft ware house and introducing ideas for bringing about change in order to make improvement. The goals and targets of how to reach the targets need to be determined and the methods to be used in attaining the goals have to be laid down. During the analysis of goals and objectives, flowcharting can be used to show the team of employees how activities will move from one step to another. This section also involves revising or designing business processes that have been in operation in the soft ware house. This may include Information Technology (IT) since it is constantly evolving and growing. In addition, customer /supplier mapping needs to be carried out in order to know which areas need to be improved. In addition, brainstorming is utilized as in order to come up with possible ideas that need to be implemented in the soft ware house. Eventually, evaluation matrix can be employed in the analysis of the ideas that were introduced during brainstorming. ii) The Do, Check and Act Step The Do step involves implementing the processes that were proposed in the plan stage. Check evaluates and monitors the results and processes against the specifications and objectives previously presented. After this, the outcome is reported. The Act step is where actions to the outcome that would bring about necessary improvement are applied. This stage is all about reviewing all the three steps; that is, Plan, Do, Check and Act and modifying the process to improve it before the next implementation. Question Two a) Benefits and Disadvantages of Implementing TickIT and CMMI The benefits of using TickIT lies in the opportunities it offers for continual improvement, which leads to improved product repeatability and quality, increased efficiencies in processes, a reduction in costs resulting from failure, a lower staff turnover and increased satisfaction from employees. A TickIT approval will allow the company to have an assessor with a proven record in the Information Technology industry who can understand the business, and why the company works in a particular way. TickIT also provides documentation with issues that need to be addressed by the quality system of the company. The disadvantage is that there are a limited number of approved assessors on TickIT and this proves as a challenge to the scheme. This leads to longer lead times with the assessment body, and may also result in higher charges as compared to other schemes. CMMI provides detailed coverage of life cycle of product than other products for process-improvement. In addition, CMMI products use several lessons learned during development and maintenance of source models. CMMI provides a company the opportunity to eliminate barriers that exist in various departments, which were not addressed by other models. b) i) Sub-characteristics of ISO 9126 Compliance is when the soft ware used has to conform to legal standards or application related standards. Maturity means the number of times the computers fail due to faults in the software. The more the software is used, the more faults are discovered and removed. Learnability is when the soft-ware tool has to be easy to learn and not consume a lot of time. Analyzability means the software should be easy to determine the cause for failure once the system has become faulty. Replaceability refers to upwards compatibility to mean that compatibility of old components of software with new ones. Finally, stability refers to a low risk of modification to the software in the case of unexpected effects. ii) Metrics Collection Internal metrics are used to measure the software while external metrics are used to measure the behavior of the computer-based system including the software and quality in use metrics measures the effects of using the software in a specific situation. In that regard, maturity, stability and replaceability are external metrics. On the other hand, internal metrics are analysabilty and learnability while conformance is quality in use metrics. Question Three a) When not in use, the laptop and other portable devices that are outside the office environment should be kept in a locked drawer. In addition, the policy should state that whenever the portable devices are in transit, they should be placed in carrying cases and be out of view when possible. Moreover, it should indicate that it is the responsibility of the employee to secure the portable device and laptop. Details of passwords should not be kept in the same place as the portable device. When in public, it should not be left unattended and should not be left on the ground or external floors. b) Confidential data must be installed in portable devices that have been supplied by the organization only. It should also have an appropriate level of encryption implemented or access security. When confidential information is required, the Information Governance Manager should be informed in advance about the use of the portable device. A portable device deployment form must accompany the company’s ICT Service portable device. Care should be observed when using the portable device in meeting rooms and unprotected areas in order to avoid unauthorized access to stored information. Data backup solution should be provided by the organization. The user will be given the responsibility of copying data to the data network in order to backup data. Additionally, anti-virus software should be installed in the laptops to prevent attack from data loss and malicious software. Question Four a) One of the major risks associated with online trading is the risk of hackers who can gain access to the username and password. The hackers can sell the shares of the company and use the money to buy shares on micro-caps. Micro-caps are penny stocks, which are thinly traded stocks (Webb, 1998). The hackers buy shares on micro-caps and raise the price of a particular share thus gaining a considerable profit. Additionally, online trading provides a avenue for stock manipulation that are unheard of and have light trading. These risks can be minimized by doing a background research on the company and the kind of investments chosen. Also, skills can be learnt on how to carry out online trading in order to avoid loss of money. b) Members of the BCP team are required to have technical skills, leadership skills, knowledge in business process, and attitudes for successfully developing a continuity plan for the organization. The membership includes team leaders, technical team leaders, business process team members and supporting team members. c) BCP content recognizes the need for business continuity by addressing how to tackle disasters that may befall the organization. Disaster recovery aims to get the business running as quickly as possible after disaster has interrupted the normal activities of the business. BCP also contains ways of reducing the possibility if the business to be interrupted when a disaster occurs. The plan also states the importance of business processes and technology solutions that can be used in making the organization to be disaster resistant. In addition, it includes regulatory or legal requirements that mandate the company to provide business continuity services. Question Five a) Disadvantages of teleworking are that there are communication problems with team members due to distance. The communication problem also spreads down to the management, the staff and the customers. The nature of communication varies, and it includes reports and feedbacks from employees to managers, requests for information between specialists and staff, communication concerning technical issues, requests for advice and information from customers. It can be very difficult for the management to co-ordinate all this especially when people are spread away from the office. b) Employees are able to reduce cost of travelling to work and time spent on the road. They also have the advantage of enjoying flexible working. This means that employees who work from home are able to balance family commitments and work commitments. In addition, employees are able to work with minimal interruption since they are away from distractions of the office. The disadvantage is that staff may stop seeing themselves as part of the organization once they start working from home. c) Communication problems can be addressed by sensitive and careful application of technology. The mix of technology in the teleworking industry revolves around networking infrastructure, email, office products, and information systems. The management can ensure that communication between staff, consultants and customers should be through the secretary at a recognized office address. In addition, retaining meeting rooms is important at larger offices in order to convene staff to talk over issues of the organization. List of References Webb, S. P. 1998. Knowledge Management: Linchpin of Change, the Association for Information Management (ASLIB), London. Read More