Information Systems Analysis 05 March 2019
Marking Scheme
This marking scheme has been prepared as a guide only to markers. This is not a set of model answers, or the exclusive answers to the questions, and there will frequently be
alternative responses which will provide a valid answer. Markers are advised that, unless a question specifies that an answer be provided in a particular form, then an answer that is correct (factually or in practical terms) must be given the available marks.
If there is doubt as to the correctness of an answer, the relevant NCC Education materials should be the first authority.
Throughout the marking, please credit any valid alternative point.
Where markers award half marks in any part of a question, they should ensure that the total mark recorded for the question is rounded up to a whole mark.
Question 1
Answer ALL questions
The Body Restoration Centre is a large, busy and popular sports injuries clinic. The managers of the clinic want to increase the range of treatments that are offered which will enable more patients to attend the clinic. The clinic needs a new information system to deal with increased processing and administration tasks that will result from more treatments and patients.
The information system stores patient information, processes patient data,
processes patient payments, issues invoices, processes new appointments and cancellations and issues prescriptions. It also stores staff information, processes staff data and processes staff wages. Stock control functions of the information system include: updating the stock database, ordering medication from suppliers, processing supplier information and processing payments to suppliers.
The information system needs to be more efficient and more secure than it is at present. The local area network often runs slowly and sometimes crashes, data has been lost or duplicated, for example, appointments, cancellations and stock orders. Some patient and stock data have also been reported as inaccurate. It is not clear whether problems with the existing information system are due to hardware, software, user errors or inefficient communication between staff.
Although some staff agree that the information system needs updating, some are concerned that they will not have the time to learn how to use a new system and some administration and reception staff are concerned that they might lose their jobs if a new system is introduced.
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Marks
Marks
a) Explain why you would prefer to use a soft systems approach instead of a hard 4
systems approach to analyse the information system at The Body Restoration Centre. Identify FOUR (4) advantages of a soft systems approach.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks:
Advantages of a soft system approach
• People-focused analysis/analysis of human factors
• Analyses user interaction
• Analyses user issues
• Analyses social issues
• Analyses political issues
• Analyses cultural issues
• Provides an overview of an information system
• Clarifies problem areas in an information system
• Identifies relationships in an information system
• Recognises that user interaction is as important as technical
considerations
• Open discussions regarding problems/perceptions/needs
• Different perspectives offered
• Joint problem solving/user participation/commitment
• A flexible approach
• Human activity is modelled
b) Explain what is meant by a rich picture. 2
The maximum number of marks to be awarded is 2 marks
Rich picture is a diagram of the existing information system (1 mark) showing what is relevant to the day-to-day work at an organisation (1 mark). Usually hand drawn (1 mark) (or other valid points).
c) Explain why you will produce a rich picture when using a soft systems approach. 4
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks:
• Aid understanding of the company/information system
• Offer a view of the whole system
• Illustrate structures
• Illustrate processes
• Illustrate issues/concerns
• Illustrate social and cultural roles/norms/values/attitudes
• Illustrate goals
• Illustrate political/power roles
• Illustrate patients/staff/suppliers
• Illustrate staff and their interactions
• Illustrate hardware and software resources
• Illustrate boundaries
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Total 10 Marks
Marks
a) Explain the purpose of producing root definitions for the clinic managers. 4
Award up to 2 marks for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks:
• A primary task root definition (1 mark) will clarify system processes (1
mark)/provides an example of a system process (1 mark)
• An issue-based root definition (1 mark) will clarify system problems (1
mark)/provides an example of a system process (1 mark)
b) Construct a conceptual model for the clinic managers. Use the information 6 provided in the introduction to Question 1 to assist you.
The maximum number of marks to be awarded for this question is 6 marks. Diagrams will vary but should illustrate at least 6 of the following:
• A potential system
• Desired outcomes
Question 2
• Potential functions
• Potential/processes
• Potential activities
• Potential relationships
• Potential dependencies
• Solutions to problems/issues
• ‘Must have’ aspects
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Total 10 Marks
Question 3
a) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of undertaking CATWOE analysis at 10 The Body Restoration Centre. You should make reference to SIX (6) advantages
and FOUR (4) disadvantages.
The maximum number of marks to be awarded for this question is 10 marks
Award 1 mark for each bullet point to a maximum of 6 marks:
Advantages
• Discover the customers/clients associated with the company
• Discover the actors/agents associated with the company
• Discover the transformations/inputs/outputs/processes associated with
the company
• Discover the worldview/internal/external factors/constraints associated
with the company
• Discover who the company’s owners/stakeholders are
• Discover the environment/economic. social, technological, ethical,
political, legal, competitive, environmental, demographic factors
associated with the company
• Discover views of users
• Discover reactions to a new/updated information system
• Discover information regarding constraints
• Discover problems with an information system/in an organisation
• Discover potential problems/constraints
• Formulate solutions to problems
• Can solve complex human problems in an organisation
• Stakeholders can take part in discussions of problems/solutions/ joint
problem-solving
• Open discussion of problems/needs/perspectives
Award 1 mark for each bullet point to a maximum of 4 marks:
Disadvantages
• Could be expensive to undertake
• Could take too much time to undertake
• Stakeholders/staff might not have the time to be involved
• Stakeholders/staff might not want to be involved/do not cooperate
• Agreement between parties might take time
• Not all stakeholders/staff are identified
• Possibly difficult to discover information
• Possibly difficult to manage
• External/financial/legal/ethical factors might impede improvements
• Would focus more on user issues than technical issues
Total 10 Marks
Marks
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Question 4
The clinic managers, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, administration staff and receptionists use the information system at the clinic but catering staff and cleaning staff do not have access to it. Patients do not have access to it at the present time but the clinic managers want patients to be able to make or cancel appointments via a secure link to the information system.
a) Produce a stakeholder matrix for The Body Restoration Centre. 10 Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 10 marks:
Marks
High power, interested people (1 mark)
Must be fully engaged and kept satisfied
(1 mark)
The managers, doctors (1 mark)
High power, less interested people
(1 mark)
Should be kept informed and satisfied
(1 mark)
Nurses, physiotherapists (1 mark)
Low power, less interested people
(1 mark)
Should be spoken with and monitored
(1 mark)
Cleaning staff, catering staff (1 mark)
Low power, interested people (1 mark)
Should be kept informed and spoken with to ensure that they have no major concerns
(1 mark)
Patients, administrators, receptionists
(1 mark)
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Total 10 Marks
Question 5
a) Explain why using a soft systems methodology (SSM) might be less successful 10 than undertaking object oriented analysis (OOA). In your answer, you should
make reference to FIVE (5) limitations of using SSM and FIVE (5) benefits of
using OOA.
The maximum number of marks to be awarded for this question is 10.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks:
Limitations of SSM
• Focuses on human aspects and not on technical issues
• Can take longer to undertake than OOA
• Can be more expensive to undertake than OOA
• Can be difficult to manage
• Less structured than OOA
• Considers data and processes separately unlike OOA
• Relies on considerable stakeholder participation unlike OOA
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks:
Benefits of using OOA
• Information system development can be undertaken quickly
• Can be undertaken more cost efficiently
• Software can be modified
• Software can be reused
• Software maintenance is improved
• Consistency of modelling is increased
• Communication between analysts/designers/programmers/users is
improved
• A model can be constructed of the tasks that an information system is
required to perform/dynamic/object/functional models can be
constructed
• An information system’s user requirements are identified
• An information system’s functions are identified
• Objects and their inter-relationships in an information system are
Marks
identified
• A complex system can be decomposed into understandable
components
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Total 10 Marks
Marks
a) Explain the advantages for staff at The Body Restoration Centre if you undertake 6
ETHICS analysis and your recommendations are accepted.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 6 marks:
• The information system could be more efficient
• Interaction between users and the information system/technology could
be improved
• Job satisfaction could be improved
• Morale could be improved
• Could ensure better communication between staff
• Could ensure training is offered
• Could reduce boring/repetitive tasks
• Could ensure that their jobs/roles enable them to use and develop their
skills, knowledge (Knowledge Fit)
• Could ensure that their jobs/roles enable them to further their
achievements, recognition, advancement, status (Psychological Fit)
• Could ensure that their jobs/roles are demanding, fulfilling
(Task-Structure Fit)
• Could ensure that their jobs/roles offer financial rewards,
incentives/acceptable work/supervisory controls (Efficiency Fit)
• Could ensure that staff values/philosophy are compatible with those of
the managers/company (Ethical Fit)
b) Explain why ETHICS analysis might not be successful. You should support your 4 answer with FOUR (4) points.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks:
• Some staff might find it difficult to explain what they require from a
system
• Some staff might be reluctant to participate
• Some staff might be unable to participate during analysis due to
work/time commitments
• The cost of changes in an organisation as a result of ETHICS analysis
might outweigh the benefits
• Staff might be worried about the consequences of stating their opinions
Question 6
and not participate
• Possibly difficult/time-consuming to manage
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Total 10 Marks
Question 7
a) Outline THREE (3) types of information, other than the company’s weaknesses, 3 that you will discover if you undertake SWOT analysis at The Body Restoration Centre.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks:
• Strengths of the clinic
• Opportunities for the clinic
• Threats to the clinic
b) Use the information provided in the introduction to Question 1 to assist you and 7 identify FOUR (4) weaknesses at the clinic. Also recommend THREE (3)
solutions to deal with the weaknesses that you have identified.
The maximum number of marks to be awarded for this question is 7 marks.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks:
Weaknesses
• The system is inefficient
• The system needs to be more secure
• The network is sometimes slow
• The network sometimes crashes
• Data loss
• Data duplication/duplication of data regarding appointments,
cancellations, stock orders
• Inaccurate data/inaccurate data on patients and stock
• Unclear cause of various information system problems
• Staff worried about their jobs
• Staff worried about lack of time to learn how to use a new information
system
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks:
Solutions
• Find the causes of system problems
• Remedy the causes of system problems
• Ensure that the new system is efficient
• Ensure that the new system is secure
• Ensure that the new system is robust/no data is lost
• Ensure that no data is duplicated
• Ensure that data is accurate
• Reassure staff that there are no job losses planned
• Plan for sufficient time to be available for staff to learn how to use a new
system
Marks
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• Match strengths with opportunities/put increased revenue towards improving/maintaining the information system/use popularity to increase business/supportive management facilitate less worried staff and potential improved productivity/new information system will facilitate satisfied customers and staff
Total 10 Marks
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Marks
Marks
a) Identify SIX (6) factors relating to technology that could have a negative impact 6
on the information system’s development at The Body Restoration Centre.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 6 marks:
• Technology is out-of-date/not good quality
• Technology is operated by staff who are inexperienced/lack a technical
background/lack training/lack technical knowledge
• Timescales for implementation of the technology are unrealistic
• There is a lack of planning
• Requirements/timescales/resources/budget/staff training/
implementation of the technology is not planned/not planned adequately
• Only one solution for implementing technology is considered
• System components are developed individually which could lead to
possible system incompatibility/extra costs/extra time/inefficiencies
• There is insufficient funding available for the technology
• Designs for a new system are complex
• Developers are inexperienced
b) Explain FOUR (4) tasks that you should undertake to deal with the potential 4 negative impacts that you identified in Question 8 a).
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks:
• Identify problem/issues
• Document the problems/issues
• Produce a requirements specification that details the problems/issues
• Document solutions/ recommendations in a requirements specification
• Reach agreement with the clinic’s managers that the solutions and/or
Question 8
recommendations are feasible
• Analyse/document the clinic’s strengths
• Analyse/document opportunities within the clinic
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Total 10 Marks
Marks
a) You are going to analyse the tasks undertaken by the information system’s users. 4
Explain FOUR (4) items of information that you expect to discover.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks:
• Various aspects of the tasks
• Workflow of the tasks
• Distribution of work
• User’s work skills
• Frequency of using technology
• Order in which the tasks are performed
b) Identify TWO (2) fact-finding methods that you could use to undertake task 6 analysis and for each method describe TWO (2) advantages of using it.
The maximum number of marks to be awarded for this question is 6 marks.
Award 1 mark for identification of the method
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of two marks. Any two types of method must be selected.
Interview
• A considerable amount of information can be collected
• Information from several sources at different levels can be collected
• A rapport can be established with the interviewee
• Questions can be clarified
• Information collected from other sources can often be verified
• Problems can be uncovered that might otherwise not be discovered
• Leads can be obtained for collecting further information
Observation
• Can improve interviewer understanding of the working environment
• It validates data gathered from other sources
Questionnaire/survey
• Can be answered when convenient for the interviewee
• A large number of people can be contacted
• Easier to administer/document
Focus group
• Questions can be clarified
• Can be used to gather data from several sources at one time
• A range of responses can be collected
Question 9
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Marks
Documentation
• Can clarify understanding
• Not intrusive
• Inexpensive
• Good source of background information
• May provide information not accessible by other information collection
methods
• Convenient method
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Total 10 Marks
Marks
a) If the information system’s interface is designed well it will bring a number of 5
benefits to its users. Describe FIVE (5) benefits that it could bring.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks:
• It will help to increase productivity/efficiency
• It will reduce training costs
• It will reduce maintenance costs
• It will help to prevent user errors
• It will contribute to job satisfaction
• It will help raise the morale of users
b) Suggest FIVE (5) checks that you will include in a usability test of the information 5 system’s interface to determine if the development of the interface has met the
needs of its users.
Question 10
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks:
• It is easy to use/learn to use
• It is aesthetically pleasing
• It is enjoyable to use
• It motivates its users
• It engages its users
• It is reliable
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Total 10 Marks
Learning Outcomes matrix
Grade descriptors
Marks
Question
Learning Outcomes assessed
Marker can differentiate between varying levels of achievement
1
1
Yes
2
1
Yes
3
2
Yes
4
2
Yes
5
3
Yes
6
4
Yes
7
4
Yes
8
5
Yes
9
6
Yes
10
6
Yes
Learning Outcome
Pass
Merit
Distinction
Understand soft and hard approaches to the analysis of information systems
Demonstrate adequate level of understanding
Demonstrate robust level of understanding
Demonstrate highly comprehensive level of understanding
Understand the techniques associated with requirements capture
Demonstrate adequate understanding of techniques
Demonstrate robust understanding of techniques
Demonstrate highly comprehensive understanding of techniques
Understand the different viewpoints associated with IS methodologies
Demonstrate adequate level of understanding
Demonstrate robust level of understanding
Demonstrate highly comprehensive level of understanding
Be able to apply various analytical techniques for understanding a complex organisational environment
Demonstrate adequate and appropriate application of techniques
Demonstrate sound and consistently appropriate application of techniques
Demonstrate detailed and highly appropriate application of techniques
Understand the relationship between the economic, social, political and technical factors influencing a business problem
Demonstrate adequate level of understanding
Demonstrate robust level of understanding
Demonstrate highly comprehensive level of understanding
Understand and apply the principles of interface design and the requirements and characteristics of users that motivate these
Demonstrate adequate and appropriate application of principles
Demonstrate sound and consistently appropriate application of principles
Demonstrate detailed and highly appropriate application of principles
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