System Analysis and Design All Questions and Answers

Define the terms system and system analysis. Discuss various elements of a system.
Briefly explain the primary characteristics of open systems In what way a system is entropic.
Distinguish between the following terms – Physical and Abstract systems, Open and closed systems
How important is the informal system in system analysis? Discuss.
Briefly discuss the different phases in system development life cycle.
What are the needs of system analysis? Explain the roles of system analyst.
Define system’s prototype. When the use of a prototype method is most appropriate?
When does an analyst terminate a project?
“A data dictionary is a structured repository of data about data” Discuss it.
In what way a decision tree and DFD is related? What about a decision tree and structured English?
Elaborate on the pros and cons of data analysis & decision analysis method.
Briefly explain the different types of interview and questionnaires.
Discuss the technical and interpersonal skills required of system analysis. When one’s skills are favored over the other? Why?
What considerations are involved in feasibility analysis? Which consideration do you think is the most crucial? Why?

How important is a project team in a feasibility analysis? Is it mandatory in every study? Where are the exceptions?
What makes up a feasibility report? How would you change it?

Distinguish between validity and reliability. How are they related?
What cost elements are considered in cost/benefit analysis? Which element do you think is the most difficult to estimate.
Define and explain the procedure for cost/benefit determination.

What are the pros and cons of payback method, cash flow analysis and break-even analysis?
Distinguish between the following – HIPO and LIPO, Coupling and cohesion.

What is the goal of the functional decomposition approach to structure design? Discuss.
Briefly discuss the various types of testing.
Why do we test systems? How important is testing?
Define the term quality assurance. What levels of quality assurance must a system meet?
What is Gant chart? How would you develop one? How does it differ from PERT chart? Explain.
List and briefly discuss the control measures in system security.
Why does system fail? Explain.
Explain the term system. Discuss various characteristics of a system.
Discuss the primary characteristics of open systems. In which way a system becomes entropic?
Why is a system proposal so crucial for system design? Explain.

When does an analyst terminate a project? How is it tied with post implementation? Explain.
Briefly explain system development life cycle (SDLC).
Distinguish between initial investigation & feasibility study. In what way they are related?
Explain the technical and interpersonal skills required of a system analyst.
Summarize the advantages and limitations of interviews and questionnaires.
What basic rules are relevant in constructing a DFD?
Discuss the advantages of a data dictionary offered in the area of documentation?
List and briefly explain the control measures in system security.
Distinguish between data security and data integrity.
What are the major threads to system security? Explain.

Explain different categories of information which are available for analysis.
Define feasibility study. Elaborate the steps in feasibility analysis. If you have to shorten them to four steps, which of them will you select? Why?
Briefly describes the considerations that are involved in feasibility analysis.
Why does a system fail? Explain.
What cost elements are considered in cost/benefit analysis? Which elements do you think is the most difficult to estimate? Why?
Briefly explain the differences between logical design and physical design.
Explain different categories of cost and benefits.
Define structured design. How is it related to DFD?
Explain and illustrate the key elements of structured chart.
Why do we test systems? How important is testing? Elaborate.
List and briefly describe the factors that affect the quality of a system.
What is a Gantt chart? How do you develop one?
Briefly explain different types of system testing.
Explain the various categories of information relevant to decision making in business.
What is the goal of the functional decomposition approach to structured design?
What is SDLC? How does it relate to system analysis?
An analyst has to play various roles. Explain any three of them.
What are the symbols used in DFD? Discuss.
What are the sources of information to originate?
What traditional information-gathering tools are available for the analyst? Explain any one of these tools briefly.

A question may be open or closed ended. Illustrate the difference.
Discuss about the classification of maintenance.
Summarize the attributes of structured analysis.
What do you mean by leveling in DFD’s? Explain with the help of an example.
List and illustrate the primary uses and elements of a decision table.
Draw the logical data description hierarchy.
Define feasibility study. List the steps in feasibility analysis.
Differentiate between i) Tangible and Intangible costs ii) Direct and Indirect costs.
Define Break-even point.
What development activities are carried out during analysis? Discuss.
Define the procedure for cost/benefit determination.
Give an example, showing entities, attributes, and their values.
Define database. Discuss about the objectives of database.
Distinguish between the following i) Cohesion & Coupling ii) HIPO & IPO
What is implementation? How does it differ from conversion? Elaborate.
List and briefly describe the factors that affect the quality of a system.
How is stress testing different from volume testing?
Explain briefly three approaches for data entry.
List the steps for establishing a system project. Which step do you think is the most critical? Why?
What skills and qualifications are required of a project leader? Explain.

Distinguish between the following: i) Privacy and Confidentiality ii) Roll forward and Rollback
What types of failures are encountered in a database environment? Explain briefly.
What are the elements of a system? Can you have a viable system without feedback? Explain.
Discuss the primary characteristics of Open systems.
Distinguish between Schematic and Static system models.
Define SDLC
A number of activities are carried out under implementation. Elaborate.
Discuss the behavioral issues involved in understanding the analyst/user interface.
In what respect is interviewing an art? Explain.
Summarize the advantages and limitations of Interviews and Questionnaires.

How do net present value and present analysis differ? Illustrate.
What is the structured analysis? Briefly review the tools used. How does it differ from the traditional approach?
What considerations are involved in feasibility analysis? Which consideration do you think is the most crucial? Why?
How easy is it to identify the costs and benefits of a system? Give examples of costs that are not easily identifiable.
What points should be considered in constructing a data dictionary? Be specific.
Draw a DFD of Inventory Management system.
What audit considerations are included in system design? Illustrate.
What is a form? Summarize the characteristics of action, memory and report forms.
Distinguish between the followings i) Scheme and Subschema ii) Entity and attribute.
What is a Syntax error? How does it differ from a Logic error? Give an example.
List and briefly describe the factors that affect the quality of a system.
Distinguish between maintenance and Enhancement.
What factors must be considered prior to system selection? Expound.
Why do systems fail? How would one reduce potential failure in system development? Explain.
What is encryption? How does it work? What type or level of system would incorporate this technology? Illustrate.
Why do we need to conduct risk analysis? When would this type of analysis be cost justified? Explain the makeup and procedure behind risk analysis.
What is the difference between Analysis and Design? Can one begin to design without analysis? Why?
Discuss the concepts of MIS and DSS. How they are related and differ?
Note down the reasons for which a new system may not meet user requirements.
Distinguish between formal and informal information systems.
Summarize the advantages and limitations of Interviews.
What do you mean by SDLC?
Explain the difference between i) Structured and Unstructured interviewing ii) Open ended and closed questions. Give an example of each.
Briefly describe the concepts of Onsite Observation. List out the alternative observation methods that are considered when human observers are used.
What s feasibility study? Write its different types in detail.
How interpersonal skill helps a software engineer to do better feasibility study?
What cost elements are considered in cost/benefit analysis? Which elements do you think is the most difficult to estimate? Why?
Write short note on Break-Even Analysis.
How do net present value and present value analysis differ? Illustrate.
Write down the characteristics of Open systems
List and briefly describe the factors that affect the quality of a system.
Specify the purpose of system testing. What performance criteria are used for system testing? Discuss.
What do you know about project management?
Define system security. What are the major threads to system security? Which one is the most serious? Why?
What are the different types of failures which may occur in any database environment? Provide necessary suggestions for recovering them.
Interaction and Interdependence have the same meaning! Is it true? Why?
Explain the basic implications and characteristics of Information system.
What is the system development life cycle? Briefly discuss about each step.
What planning dimensions determine information system development? Explain.
Describe the role of Information Technology in business process re-engineering.
What is information gathering? Write down information gathering tools.
What is structured analysis? What are the tools used in this analysis?
Write down the DFD of order processing and shipping of publisher’s ordering system.
Define Cardinality and Modality.
What is implementation? Discuss three types of implementation.
Explain the major activity in conversion. Which activity is most important and why?
Define software? Briefly Describe the criteria for selecting software.