On a rainy, monsoon season, Kurniadi Muhtar walks into his office at Pahang Electronics Sdn. Bhd. at Pekan, Pahang. As a new appointed system analyst, he was looking forward to meeting the other staff.  

 

Event 1: Management meeting 

 

CEO (Aiman) 

: 

We are expanding and we should be ready by hook or by crook. Now, excuse me I need to meet Dato' Darwisy on our Mega Sales at Bukit Jalil... Azhar you chair the so called Steering Committee meeting. Thank you for coming. Assalammualaikum.  

All members 

: 

Waalaikumussalam 

Azhar 

: 

Assalammualaikum and a very good morning to all. As a new appointed Project Manager for our task to revamp our IT, we should begin with problem identification. May I know if there any issues to be discussed? May we begin with Factory, Sales, Inventory, Finance and so on? 

Sharir Aizat 

: 

Encik Azhar, we all at production line always say, "all is well" (imitate Amir Khan in 3 idiots)  

All members 

: 

Laughing and smiling.... 

Azhar 

: 

Superb! Good job. How about Sales and Inventory? Encik Wan, Encik Firdaus? 

Wan Azwan 

: 

Thanks Encik Azhar, we at Sales Department always encounter problems with our stock list. Problems in determining the available stock in hand should be rectified A.S.A.P. or we will lose customers. The amount keeps changing and sometimes my staffs getting into trouble by selling out of stock goods. 

Azhar 

: 

Thanks Encik Wan. Encik Firdaus, do you have anything to say? 

Firdaus 

: 

It is true Encik Azhar, our current system cannot cope with semi manual and computerized stock update. I would suggest the company use Point of Sales (POS) to update the stock in and stock out. The finance people would also be happy.  

Azhar  

: 

Okay, that is a good idea. Puan Wanee, what is your view on Encik Firdaus brilliant suggestion? 

Wanee  

: 

Sure, with fully integrated system, the financial report should be more accurate and timely. 

Azhar  

: 

Okay then, En Kurniadi Muhtar. Welcome to Pahang Electronics Sdn. Bhd. I'm sure you already aware on what we should do next. I hope that you can prepare all the necessary so called 'tools' to gather information regarding our problems and our needs. 

Kurniadi  

: 

Yes Sir! 

Azhar  

: 

Okay! I believe everybody is clear on our new project. So, let begin with feasibility studies. I will coordinate these studies and you are all free to discuss if you have any problems. Thanks for coming. 

 

 

 

 

 

Required: 

1.   What is System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)? Indentify the phases that can be found in a typical SDLC. (6 marks) 

2.   What is the aim of the preliminary investigation phase? Discuss what must be done during the preliminary investigation phase.(10 marks) 

3.   What is feasibility? Discuss in detail the tests a systems analyst uses to evaluate feasibility. (10 marks) 

4.   What would you do as a system analyst if a vice-president of your company came to you and insisted that a system be computerized, but, at the conclusion of the preliminary investigation phase, you knew that the system could not be cost justified? (8 marks) 

5.   Scheduling tools could increase project manager's efficiency when scheduling an information system projects. A popular scheduling tool is the use of a Gantt chart. Explain what Gantt chart is and suggest to the management the most appropriate project management software to be used by Pahang Electronics Sdn. Bhd.(12 marks) 

6.   Apart from management skills that would help the project manager to manage the project, good project manager should be alert with project failure warning sign at anytime. What are problems that lead to project failures?(12 marks) 

7.   Discuss possible techniques that can be used to gather information about the problems faced at Pahang Electronics Sdn. Bhd. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each technique identified. (36 marks) 

8.   One of the tools available to facilitate the system development process is Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE). Explain how does CASE facilitate the system development process? Explain advantages of using CASE tools? (6 marks) 

(TOTAL: 100 marks) 

 

 

Event 2: Senior Executive's concern 

 

One senior executive states, "When a presentation is made to management relative to a new systems design, I prefer to have a written report only; no oral presentation is necessary. I want the facts. The costs, the time to implement and the resulting benefits are easily recorded in a written form. Based on those facts, l will make a decision as to whether the system is to be implemented.  

System analysts (Kurniadi Muhtar) don't get paid to make management-level decisions, and that's exactly what they try to do when they try to sell a system in an oral presentation. I've seen too many systems implemented because smooth-talking systems analysts have convinced management that a system is an absolute necessity when the recorded facts just don't justify it". 

Required: 

1.   "Do you agree with this point of view? Discuss ways of reducing input volume. 

Justify your position. (6 marks) 

2.   Assuming that old system should be replaced, discuss acquisition options that Pahang Electronics Sdn. Bhd. may want to consider. For example, lease, purchase readymade software, outsourcing, etc (24 marks) 

After Kurniadi, explained to the senior executive about several acquisition options he realized that the best strategy for his organization is to purchase readymade software. 

3.   Explain steps involves in procurement of software package (15 marks) 

4.   Discuss advantages and disadvantages of purchasing the software (10 marks) 

5.   Why purchased software is cheaper compared to other design strategies in developing computer based information system? (10 marks)