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CUEA CMT 403 Exam Paper 2021

This document contains instructions for a computer and information science exam at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. The exam consists of 5 questions related to information systems management. Question 1 asks about the steps needed to develop a new MIS system for Platinum Enterprises, the benefits and risks of in-house development, the definition of software reliability and software testing, and the reciprocal relationship between organizations and their environments. Questions 2-5 cover additional topics like types of information systems, how information system ownership has changed over time, and managerial skills as they relate to information systems.

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George Okemwa
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
41 views4 pages

CUEA CMT 403 Exam Paper 2021

This document contains instructions for a computer and information science exam at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. The exam consists of 5 questions related to information systems management. Question 1 asks about the steps needed to develop a new MIS system for Platinum Enterprises, the benefits and risks of in-house development, the definition of software reliability and software testing, and the reciprocal relationship between organizations and their environments. Questions 2-5 cover additional topics like types of information systems, how information system ownership has changed over time, and managerial skills as they relate to information systems.

Uploaded by

George Okemwa
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA

A. M. E. C. E. A P.O. Box 62157

00200 Nairobi - KENYA

MAIN EXAMINATION Telephone: 891601-6

Ext 1022/23/25
MAY – AUGUST 2021
Fax: 254-20-891084
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
email:exams@[Link]

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

REGULAR PROGRAMME

CMT 403: INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

Date: AUGUST 2021 Duration: 2 Hours

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE and any other TWO Questions

Question 1 (30 Marks)

a) Imani was tasked by top management to create an MIS system for their
company Platinum Enterprises. Previously the Platinum Enterprises had two
more systems done yet they were not working properly. Imani was the CEO for
Platinum Enterprises for the last three years. Before that she held a mid-level
position in the information systems division for 10 years. She became the CEO
having grown through ranks from the system administrator position to various
managerial positions in other departments and finally to the CEO position in this
company. The system to be developed was to serve the whole organization and
support all the business processes. The development proposed was in-house
development.

Required.

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ISO 9001:2015 Certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards


1. Describe the steps or process that Imani needed to undertake in the
development of this new system at Platinum Enterprises.
(10 Marks)
2. Provide a briefing paper for the Platinum Enterprises top management that
highlights the major benefits and risks of in-house development.
(5 Marks)
b) In reference to information system what is software reliability? (5 Marks)
c) What is software testing? (5 Marks)
d) Discuss the concept of reciprocal relationship that organizations have with their
environments. (5 Marks)

Question 2

a) Explain the different type of information systems provided below and give an
example on each.
(10 Marks)
a. Management level system
b. Operational level system
c. Knowledge level system
d. Strategic level system
e. Transaction Systems
b) Traditionally information systems were predominantly owned by programmers.
Explain this concept and discuss how this has changed with time. (4 Marks)
c) What does the term integration mean in reference to information systems? (2
Marks)
d) Explain the term prototyping. (2 Marks)
e) Giving an example explain what is software maintenance. (2 Marks)

Question 3

a) Identify five mediating factors affecting the two-way relationship between


organizations and information technology. From the factors you have identified
which two factors in your opinion are least amendable to management influence?

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ISO 9001:2015 Certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards


Support your answer. (10
Marks)
b) What specific principles for conduct can be used to guide ethical dimensions?
(5
Marks)
c) What is risk in regard to information systems? (2
Marks)
d) What is the impact of information systems to organizations? (3 Marks)

Question 4

a) “In a corporate environment, an enterprise-wide Management Information System is


a hacker's dream.” With reference to FOUR examples, discuss the extent to which
you agree or disagree with this statement. (10 marks)

b) Explain the difference between structured and unstructured information (5 Marks)


c) What ethical, Social, and political issues are raised by information systems?
(5
Marks)

Question 5

a) State and explain three important Managerial Skills. Among the ones you have
identified which one must apply at all levels of the organization? (10 Marks)
b) With the aid of suitable examples, explain the difference between functional
requirements and non-functional requirements, and why both are essential for the
successful development of an MIS. (5
Marks)
c) Explain what are the challenges of managing IT infrastructure and management
solutions?
(5
Marks)

CUEA/ACAD/EXAMINATIONS/DIRECTORATE OF EXAMINATIONS & TIMETABLING Page 3

ISO 9001:2015 Certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards


*END*

CUEA/ACAD/EXAMINATIONS/DIRECTORATE OF EXAMINATIONS & TIMETABLING Page 4

ISO 9001:2015 Certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards

Common questions

Powered by AI

Key mediating factors include organizational culture, business objectives, technological infrastructure, regulatory environment, and market conditions. Organizational culture and regulatory environment are typically less amenable to management influence due to their ingrained nature and external governance, respectively .

Functional requirements specify what the system should do, such as business processes and data management capabilities. Non-functional requirements describe the system's operational qualities, such as performance, usability, and scalability. Considering both is crucial as they ensure the system not only meets business needs but also delivers an efficient, user-friendly experience that aligns with organizational goals .

Initially, information systems were heavily reliant on programmers due to the technical complexity and high customization requirements. Over time, advances in technology have led to more user-friendly systems, and the rise of off-the-shelf software has democratized system use across organizations. This shift allows business users to play a central role in IS operation, thereby integrating cross-departmental expertise in system development and use .

Challenges include scalability, security, integration with existing systems, and maintaining performance standards. Solutions involve adopting cloud services for scalability, implementing robust cybersecurity measures, ensuring comprehensive system integration plans, and using performance monitoring tools to maintain service levels .

Structured information is highly organized data that can be easily processed and analyzed by computers, such as databases. Unstructured information includes data that lacks a predefined model, such as emails or social media content. This distinction is important as it affects how data is processed and utilized in MIS, influencing system design and the type of analysis that can be performed .

Benefits of in-house development include higher flexibility to tailor the system to specific organizational needs and better control over the development process. However, risks involve higher costs and longer development timeframes due to limited resources, and the challenge of maintaining and updating the system with in-house expertise .

Enterprise-wide MIS can present security risks, including unauthorized data access, insider threats, vulnerabilities due to large attack surfaces, and data theft during transmission across integrated systems. These risks are exacerbated by insufficient access controls and inadequate encryption measures. Therefore, significant emphasis should be placed on robust security protocols to safeguard data integrity and confidentiality .

Imani should begin by conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to identify the specific requirements of Platinum Enterprises. She should then engage in systems analysis to understand current workflows and gaps. Following this, a systems design phase is required where technical specifications are developed. The next step is the implementation where the coding, testing, and integration of the new MIS take place. Post-implementation, user training and system evaluation are crucial to ensure smooth adoption and functionality .

Software reliability refers to the probability of a software system performing its intended functions without failure under specified conditions for a designated period. It is crucial because reliable software ensures stability, enhances user trust, minimizes downtime, and boosts organizational productivity by ensuring that business processes are consistently supported by dependable systems .

Ethical issues include privacy concerns and data misuse. Social issues involve the digital divide and job displacement due to automation. Political issues can stem from regulatory challenges and differing national policies on data protection. These arise as information systems centralize data and automate processes, which affects individual rights, societal structures, and governance frameworks .

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