SAMPLE EXAMINATION PAPER

ID NUMBER: _______________ SEAT NO:_________

SEMESTER: 2 YEAR CAMPUS B C F M S W

FACULTY/SCHOOL: BUSINESS SCHOOL: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

SUBJECT CODES SUBJECT TITLES

BCO1048 Introduction to Business Systems Development

DURATION OF EXAMINATION 3 HOURS + 15 MINUTES READING TIME

THIS EXAMINATION COUNTS FOR 60% OF THE ASSESSMENT IN THIS SUBJECT.

EXAMINATION PAPERS DETAILS

TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES (including this one) 19
NUMBER OF QUESTIONS 6
NUMBER OF QUESTIONS TO BE ATTEMPTED ALL

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

See instructions on next page

EXAMINATION MATERIAL PERMITTED TO BE USED BY CANDIDATES :

Writing equipment only

EXAMINATION MATERIAL SUPPLIED BY STUDENT ADMINISTRATION

ANSWER BOOK YES X NO GRAPH PAPER YES NO X

COMPUTER MULTIPLE CHOICE ANSWER SHEET YES X NO

CAN THE EXAM PAPER BE RELEASED TO STUDENTS YES NO X

CAN THE EXAM PAPER BE RELEASED TO LIBRARY YES NO X

EXAMINER/S J.Bentley EXT CAMPUS

 BCO1048 Introduction to Business Systems Development
Final Examination

Instructions to students:
‰ This is exam is made up of 6 questions:
Question 1 contains 70 multiple choice questions. These must be answered on the
multiple choice answer sheet provided. Each multiple choice question is worth ½ a
mark making the total for this question 35 marks.
Question 2 is a fill in the word question worth a total of 15 marks.
Questions 3 - 6 are questions requiring detailed answers worth 10 marks each making
the total for these questions 40 marks.
‰ Students are required to ATTEMPT ALL questions
‰ Write answers to questions 2-6 in the answer book provided
‰ Total marks on the exam are 90.

Question 1 - Multiple choice questions

Select the BEST answer for each question.

1-1. Which is the most accurate job title for an individual who studies the problems and needs of a
business to determine how people, processes, data, communications, and technology can best
accomplish improvements for the business?
A. programmer
B. programmer/analyst
C. systems analyst
D. information analyst
E. database administrator

1-2. Which of the following refers to the tasks where the problem environment is studied and the
requirements are defined and prioritized?
A. systems analysis
B. systems design
C. systems implementation
D. systems support
E. systems planning

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 2 of 19

1-3. The highest ranking information officer is called the:
A. chief executive officer
B. chief information officer
C. chief financial officer
D. chief telecommunications officer
E. none of the above

1-4. The act of contracting a service or function to an external third part is called:
A. outsourcing
B. contracting
C. consulting
D. recruiting
E. none of the above

1-5. MIS stands for:

A. Management Information System
B. Move Information Swiftly
C. Move Information Slowly
D. Management Interchange System
E. Machine Instructions per Second

1-6. Which of the following skills does a successful systems analyst need to have:
A. interpersonal relations skills
B. systems analysis and design skills
C. interpersonal communications skills
D. problem-solving skills
E. all of the above

1-7. An information system application that provides it users with decision-oriented information
whenever a decision-making situation arises is called:
A. management information system
B. executive information system
C. decision support system
D. transaction processing system
E. system builder

1-8. Raw facts in isolation that describe the organization and convey meaning but generally are not
useful by themselves called:
A. data
B. attribute
C. data flow
D. information
E. entity

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 3 of 19

1-9. RAD stands for:
A. Rapid Application Design
B. Random Application Design
C. Random Access Device
D. Rapid Application Development
E. Remove Application Device

1-10. A model that communicates how selected business processes are, or will be, implemented
using the computer and programs is called:
A. business model
B. interface schema
C. application schema
D. transactions schema
E. business procedures model

1-11. A technique for quickly building a functioning model of the information system using rapid
application development tools is called:
A. modeling
B. information system activities
C. querying
D. transactions processing
E. prototyping

1-12. A model that represents the proposed system as a single process:

A. data flow model
B. systems model
C. process model
D. context model
E. input model

1-13. Discrete activities that have inputs and outputs as well as starting times and stopping times are
called:
A. business processes
B. computer processes
C. functions
D. transactions
E. data flows

1-14. This describes how the user moves from screen to screen, interacting with the application
programs to perform useful work:
A. computer dialogues
B. user dialogues
C. clicking and dragging
D. dialogues
E. moving

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 4 of 19

1-15. These people are responsible for the day-to-day data processing in the average business:
A. Management workers
B. Clerical and service workers
C. Professional workers
D. Consultants
E. Technical Workers

1-16. System users define:

A. the problems to be solved
B. the opportunities to be exploited
C. the requirements to be fulfilled
D. the business constraints to be imposed by the information system
E. all of the above

1-17. Which of the following is a phase of the FAST methodology?

A. Development Phase
B. Initial Phase
C. Support Phase
D. Design Phase
E. Historical Phase

1-18 Data that has been manipulated so it is useful to someone by telling them something they
don't already know or confirming something that they suspect is called:
A. data
B. attribute
C. data flow
D. information
E. entity

1-19. The definition for feasibility is:

A. An ongoing activity by which an analyst plans an acceptable system
B. Measure of how beneficial the development of an information system would be to an
organization
C. An activity of measuring and analyzing developer productivity
D. An activity of approximating the time, effort, costs, and benefits of developing
systems.
E. None of the above

1-20. The process followed in developing a new information system that improves the business is
referred to as which of the following?
A. Systems Analysis and Design
B. Program Development Life Cycle
C. Systems Development Life Cycle
D. Problem Solving
E. Process Modeling

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 5 of 19

1-21. Which of the following methodologies uses small-scale, working models for users to react to?
A. Structured Analysis
B. JAD
C. Prototyping
D. RAD
E. Information Engineering

1-22. The merger of various structured techniques with prototyping techniques and JAD is called:
A. Prototyping
B. RAD
C. Information Engineering
D. Structured Design
E. Structured Analysis

1-23. CASE tools provide all of the following except:

A. Prototyping tools
B. Version Control tools
C. Housekeeping tools
D. Description tools
E. None of the above

1-24. The key deliverable from the Survey phase is:

A. Business Problem Statement
B. Final Models and prototypes
C. Systems proposal
D. Feasibility assessment and project plan
E. Technology proposal

1-25. The key deliverable of the Study phase is:

A. Business Problem Statement
B. Final Models and prototypes
C. Systems Proposal
D. Feasibility assessment and project plan
E. Technology Proposal

1-26. The key deliverable of the Configuration Phase is:

A. Business Problem Statement
B. Final Models and prototypes
C. Systems Proposal
D. Feasibility Assessment and project plan
E. Technology Proposal

1-27. The study of a current business and information system application and the definition of user
requirements and priorities for a new or improved information system is part of which phase?
A. systems planning
B. system support
C. system design
D. systems analysis
E. systems implementation

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 6 of 19

1-28. Which of the following takes place during the definition phase of systems analysis?
A. present the project
B. negotiate project scope
C. analyze problems and opportunities
D. model the current system
E. outline business requirements

1-29. Systems analysis includes which of the following phases?

A. study, definition, and evaluation
B. study, definition, evaluation, and selection
C. survey, study, and definition
D. survey
E. survey and study

1-30.Which of the following is the purpose of the survey phase?

A. Identify what the improved information system must do without specifying how
B. To identify problems, opportunities, and/or directives and to determine whether
solving them would benefit the business
C. To identify the best solution to the end-user requirements
D. To select appropriate computer components
E. To make corrections and improvements in the system

1-31. Which of the following is the purpose of the study phase?

A. to define the requirements
B. to implement the new system
C. to provide the analyst with a more thorough understanding of problems, opportunities,
and/or directives
D. to negotiate the project scope
E. to design the new system

1-32. The purpose of negotiating the project scope during the survey phase is:
A. define the boundary of the system and project
B. define the requirements
C. define the technology going to be used
D. implement the technology
E. define the constraints and goals

1-33. Something that will limit your flexibility in defining a solution to your objectives is called
a(n):
A. objective
B. directive
C. constraint
D. problem
E. opportunity

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 7 of 19

1-34. Something that you expect to achieve, if given sufficient resources is called a(n):
A. objective
B. directive
C. constraint
D. problem
E. opportunity

1-35. An example of a compound attribute is:

A. Gender
B. Course
C. Name
D. Race
E. Grade Point Average

1-36. The data type for an attribute defines:

A. what class of data can be stored in that attribute
B. what values of an attribute can legitimately take on
C. the value that will be recorded if not specified by the user
D. a unique value for each entity
E. none of the above

1-37. Cardinality defines:

A. different instances of the same entity
B. an entity that inherits its primary key from more than one entity
C. the minimum and maximum number of occurrences of one entity for a single
occurrence of the related entity
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

1-38. A foreign key is defined as:

A. the candidate key that will become the primary key identifier
B. any candidate key that does not become the primary key identifier
C. a primary key of one entity that is contributed to another entity to identify instances of
a relationship
D. a primary key that stands alone within a table
E. none of the above

1-39. The logical data model describes which of the following:

A. technical solutions
B. requirements implementation procedures
C. business data requirements
D. none of these
E. all of these

1-40. A logical unit of work that must be completed as a whole is called a(n):
A. procedure
B. process
C. event
D. function
E. gray hole

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 8 of 19

1-41. Which of the following is a reason for focusing on logical models:
A. it shows us how to implement the system
B. it allows us to confuse the user
C. it allows us to communicate with end-users in non-technical terms
D. it allows us to understand the technical side of the system
E. none of the above

1-42. Which of the following describes a data flow?

A. creates the name of the process
B. creates files or databases
C. creates the boundary of the system
D. creates inputs and outputs to and from the processes
E. all of the above

1-43. DFD stands for which one of the following:

A. Data Function Direct
B. Data Function Drive
C. Data Flow Drive
D. Data Flow Diagram
E. Data Flow Design

1-44. The open-ended boxes on a process model represent:

A. data flows
B. process names
C. inputs
D. data stores
E. boundaries

1-45. The rounded rectangles on a process model represent:

A. processes
B. boundaries
C. inputs
D. data flows
E. data stores

1-46. A set of rules that governs some process in the business is called a:
A. policy
B. protocol
C. procedure
D. rule
E. regulation

1-47. A tabular form of presentation that specifies a set of conditions and their corresponding
actions is called:
A. data model
B. process model
C. decomposition diagram
D. decision table
E. context diagram

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 9 of 19

1-48. This represents an input of data to a process, or the output of data(information) from a
process:
A. data store
B. business rules
C. external agent
D. data flow
E. process

1-49. Which of the following fact-finding techniques is preferred when the validity of data collected
through other methods is in question, or when the complexity of certain aspects of the system
prevents a clear explanation by the knowledge workers?
A. sampling
B. observation
C. questionnaires
D. interviews
E. research and site visits

1-50. Which of the following fact-finding techniques is most appropriate when the analyst must
collect facts from a large number of individuals?
A. sampling
B. observation
C. questionnaires
D. interviews
E. research and site visits

1-51. Which of the following fact-finding techniques places the most emphasis on people?
A. sampling
B. observation
C. questionnaires
D. interviews
E. research and site visits

1-52. Which of the following fact-finding techniques is most often used for initial data gathering?
A. sampling
B. observation
C. questionnaires
D. interviews
E. research and site visits

1-53. Which of the following fact-finding techniques provides the systems analyst with the greatest
opportunity to probe for more feedback from an individual?
A. sampling
B. observation
C. questionnaires
D. interviews
E. research and site visits

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 10 of 19

1-54. Which of the following fact-finding techniques allows the systems analyst to do work
measurements?
A. sampling
B. observation
C. questionnaires
D. interviews
E. research and site visits

1-55. Which of the following fact-finding techniques is the most inflexible?

A. sampling
B. observation
C. questionnaires
D. interviews
E. research and site visits

1-56. Which of the following fact-finding techniques makes people the most uneasy?
A. sampling
B. observation
C. questionnaires
D. interviews
E. research and site visits

1-57. To which fact-finding technique are randomization and stratification appropriate?

A. sampling
B. observation
C. questionnaires
D. interview
E. research and site visits

1-58. During the study phase, the deliverable is a problem statement which documents?
A. urgency
B. visibility
C. benefits
D. priorities
E. All of the above

1-59. Which of the following is a participant in JAD sessions

A. Management
B. Sponsor
C. Users
D. Leader
E. All of the above are participants

1-60. Which of the following is the main benefit of a JAD session?

A. JAD actively involves users and management in the development project.
B. JAD extends the amount of time required to develop systems.
C. Development team members can make sure their requirements are incorporated.
D. Scribes capture all the relevant information.
E. All of the above are benefits

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 11 of 19

1-61. Which of the guidelines should the JAD leader follow in order to have a successful JAD
session?
A. Do not unreasonably deviate from the agenda
B. Avoid the use of technical jargon
C. Encourage group consensus
D. Allow for ample breaks
E. All of the above

1-62. What is the normal time frame for JAD?

A. 1 to 2 hours
B. 3 to 5 days and occasionally up to 2 weeks
C. 6 to 7 days and occasionally up to 9 weeks
D. 8 to 10 hours and occasionally up to 2 days
E. 12 to 14 hours

1-63. Which of the following communications techniques is most appropriate for brainstorming?
A. meetings
B. presentations
C. walkthroughs
D. written reports
E. none of the above

1-64. The project manager for a systems project is most likely which one of the following
individuals?
A. programmer/analyst
B. end-user
C. junior analyst
D. senior analyst
E. department manager

1-65. Which of the following functions of the project manager is the most difficult and important
function?
A. planning
B. organizing
C. directing
D. controlling
E. staffing

1-66. Which of the following is a simple horizontal bar chart that depicts project tasks against a
calendar?
A. PERT chart
B. Bar chart
C. Project chart
D. Line chart
E. Gantt char

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 12 of 19

1-67. Which of the following is an advantage to using prototyping as an approach?
A. it negates the need for the survey and study phases
B. it encourages and requires active end-user participation
C. it shows numerous design issue
D. it can lead to fast commitment to a design
E. it negates the need for a paper specification

1-68. The on-going maintenance of a system(s) after it has been placed into operation, including
program maintenance and system improvements is called:
A. systems planning
B. systems analysis
C. systems support
D. systems design
E. systems implementation

1-69. CIO stands for which of the following:

A. chief input and output
B. control input and output
C. cause input only
D. chief information officer
E. chief input officer

1-70. Which of the following indicates that a process must perform different actions under well-
specified conditions
A. repetition
B. decision structure
C. business function
D. sequential statement
E. event

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 13 of 19

Question 2
Fill in the blank by placing the correct term into the definition.

Event diagram
Composite data flow
System users
Repository
Context diagram
Data flow
System builders
Steering body
System owners
Diverging data flow
Fact finding
System designers
Synchronization
Data store
Information system

2-1. A(n) _________________________ represents an input of data to a process, or the output of

data (or information) from a process.
2-2. A(n) _________________________ is a data flow that consists of other data flows.
2-3. A(n) _________________________ is one that splits into multiple data flows.
2-4. A(n) _________________________ is an inventory of data.
2-5. _________________________ is the balancing of data flow diagrams at different levels of
detail to preserve consistency and completeness of the models.
2-6. A(n) _________________________ defines the scope and boundary for the system and
project.
2-7. A(n) _________________________ is a context diagram for a single event. It shows the
inputs, outputs, and data store interactions for the event.
2-8. A(n) _________________________ is a collection of those places where we keep all
documentation associated with the application and project.
2-9. A(n) _________________________ is an arrangement of people, data, processes, and
interfaces, and geography that are integrated to accomplish the purpose of supporting and
improving the day-to-day operations in a business, as well as fulfilling the problem-solving
and decision-making information needs of business managers.
2-10. A(n) _________________________ is a committee of executive business and systems
managers that studies and prioritizes competing project proposals to determine which projects
will return the most value to the organization.
2-11. _________________________ methods are used to interact with people to identify problems,
opportunities, and directives
2-12. _________________________ are the people who use (and directly benefit from) the
information system on a regular basis-capturing, validating, entering, responding to, storing
and exchanging data and information.

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 14 of 19

2-13. _________________________ are an information system's sponsors and chief advocates,
usually responsible for budgeting the money and time to develop, operate, and maintain the
information system, and for the ultimate acceptance of the information system.
2-14. _________________________ translate users' business requirements and constraints into
technical solutions
2-15. _________________________ construct the information system components based upon the
design specifications from the system designers.
( 1 x 15 = 15 marks)

Question 3
a) List and explain some of the triggers for investigating a new systems development project.

b) List the four feasibility criteria that should used to evaluate whether an information systems
project should be developed.
(5 + 5 = 10 marks)

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 15 of 19

Question 4

The GREEN ACRES REAL ESTATE SYSTEM is to assist agents as they sell houses. Sellers contact
the agency, and an agent is assigned to help the seller complete a LISTING REQUEST. Information
about the house and lot taken from that request is stored in a file. Personal information about the
sellers is copied by the agent into a sellers file.

When a buyer contacts the agency, he or she fills out a BUYER REQUEST. Every two weeks, the
agency sends prospective buyers AREA REAL ESTATE LISTINGS and an ADDRESS CROSS REFERENCE
LISTING containing actual street addresses. Periodically, the agent will find a particular house that
satisfies most or all of a specific buyer’s requirements, as indicated in the BUYER’S REQUIREMENTS
STATEMENT distributed weekly to all agents. The agent will occasionally photocopy a picture of the
house along with vital data and send the MULTIPLE LISTING STATEMENT (MLS) to the potential buyer.

When the buyer selects a house, he or she fills out an OFFER that is forwarded through the real
estate agency to the seller, who responds with either an OFFER ACCEPTANCE or a COUNTEROFFER.
After an offer is accepted, all parties sign a PURCHASE AGREEMENT. After a PURCHASE AGREEMENT
is notarized, the agency sends an APPRAISAL REQUEST to an appraiser, who appraises the value of
the house and lot. The agency also notifies its finance company with a FINANCING APPLICATION.

For the Green Acres Real Estate system:

(a) Produce an event-response list
(b) Draw a context diagram

Note: State clearly any assumptions you make

(5 + 5 = 10 marks)

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 16 of 19

Question 5
The purpose of the OPEN ROAD INSURANCE SYSTEM is to provide automotive insurance to car
owners. Initially, customers are required to fill out an INSURANCE APPLICATION. A DRIVER’S
TRAFFIC RECORD REQUEST is requested from the Victoria Police Department. Also, a VEHICLE TITLE
AND REGISTRATION is requested from the Vic Roads. PROPOSED POLICIES are sent in by various
insurance companies who will underwrite those policies based on a quoted fee. The agent
determines the best policy for the type and level of coverage desired and gives the customer a copy
of the INSURANCE POLICY PROPOSAL AND QUOTE. If the customer accepts, he or she pays the INITIAL
PREMIUM and is issued both the policy and a state-required INSURANCE COVERAGE STATEMENT (a
card to be carried at all times when driving a vehicle). The customer information is now stored.
Periodically, a PREMIUM NOTICE is generated, which — along with POLICY COVERAGE CHANGES —
is sent to the customer, who responds by sending in a PREMIUM after which new INSURANCE
COVERAGE STATEMENTS ARE ISSUED.
Both a vehicle owner and the insurance company are required to provide annual PROOF OF
LIABILITY INSURANCE to Vic Roads.

Given the following context diagram (fig 1) and system-level DFD (fig 2) for the activities
described find and describe 5 mistakes in the diagrams.

Driver's Traffic Record

Request

VICTORIA POLICE
Insurance DEPARTMENT
CUSTOMER Application

Insurance Policy
Proposal & Driver's
Quote Traffic
(copy) Record

Premium OPEN ROAD

INSURANCE
Insurance Coverage SYSTEM Vehicle Title &
Statement
Registration Request

Premium Notice & Policy Coverage

Changes
Vehicle Title &
Registration

Proposed VIC ROADS

Policy
Proof of Liability Insurance

INSURANCE
COMPANY

Figure 1 - Context Diagram for Open Road Insurance System

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 17 of 19

 INSURANCE
APPLICATION
New
Application

Applicant Driver's Traffic Record Request

Information

Driver's LOCAL
PROCESS REQUEST Traffic POLICE
APPLICATION DRIVER'S Record DEPARTMENT
Insurance RECORD
Application Applicant
Driver
Record
Applicant DRIVER
Information RECORD

CUSTOMER

Vehicle Title &

Registration
Request

Insurance Policy REQUEST

Proposal & DRIVER'S
Initial Quote VEHICLE TITLE
Premium (copy) & VIC ROADS
REGISTRATION
Vehicle Title
&
Insurance Applicant Driver's Registration
Coverage Information
PROCESS Vehicle
Statement Driver's
INITIAL Title
& Policy Vehicle
PREMIUM Registration Proof of
VEHICLE
Liability
TITLE
Customer Insurance
Vehicle
Premium VEHICLE Title &
Information REGISTRATION Registration
Information

GENERATE CUSTOMER
COVERAGE Customer
STATEMENT & GENERATE
& CUSTOMER Policy COVERAGE
POLICY POLICY Information STATEMENT
&
POLICY
Applicant
DETERMINE Insurance
New Information
APPROPRIATE Policy
Customer
INSURANCE POLICY
Information
APPLICATION
New
Customer
Policy POLICY
CUSTOMER
Information

Proposed
CUSTOMER Insurance
POLICY Policy
INSURANCE PROCESS
COMPANY Proposed PROPOSED
Policy POLICY

Figure 2 - System DFD for Open Road Insurance System

(10 marks)

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 18 of 19

Question 6
On Wednesday evening you receive a telephone call from Helen at Brilliant Products. She explains
that she is looking for guidance on computerising the whole business, especially with a view to
improving productivity and coping with the new GST.

You ask her “What size is your company?”

Helen replies “We are a small manufacturing business with 75 employees and we supply novelty
gift products throughout Australia and New Zealand.”
“That’s tremendous as I mainly supply and develop systems for small businesses.”
“Great!” says Helen “Can you come and see the management team and myself next Tuesday?”
“Yes I’m able to come along at 10am.”
“Ok” says Helen “I’ll see you then.”

After the meeting Helen says “You have certainly made us realise there is lot more involved than
what we envisaged. Can you conduct the systems analysis stage you mentioned to determine our
exact requirements? How does $10,000 for the requirements specification seem.”

You reply “I’ll start right away. I would expect a $1000 bonus if I deliver the requirements
document in 6 weeks.”

“Excellent” says Helen “Here is the contract ready for you to sign.”

Outline the strategies and approach you will undertake to complete the task.

(10 marks)

BCO1048 Exam Sample Examination Paper Page 19 of 19