Midterm Material - MGCR331, McGill
University
1.0 Information Technology - CORRECT ANSWER-Any computer based tool that
people use to work with information and to support the info and info-processing needs
of an organisation
1.0 Information Systems - CORRECT ANSWER-Collects, processes, stores, analyses
and disseminates info for a specific purpose
1.1 Why Should I Study Information Systems? - CORRECT ANSWER-Current
generation practices continuous computing, surrounded by a movable information
network, created by constant cooperation between digital devices, wired and wireless
networks, and Web-based tools for find info and communicating with others.
Need to study IS and IT to become an informed user
1.1 Informed User - CORRECT ANSWER-A person knowledgeable about IS and IT;
subsequently will be able to
→ Receive greater benefit from organisation's IT applications
→ Be in a position to enhance the quality of your org's IT applications
→ Quickly be in a position to recommend the IT apps your org will use
→ Easier to stay "on top of things" which helps to anticipate what "new and improved
tech" will arise and how to best implement it
→ Understand how using IT can improve performance, teamwork and productivity
→ Entrepreneurial advantage
1.1 Careers in IT (list) - CORRECT ANSWER-CIO → Highest ranking IS manager; is
responsible for all stategic IS planning in the org
IS Director → Manages all systems through the org & the day-to-day operations of the
entire IS org
Information Centre Manager → Manages IS services like helpdesks, hotlines, training,
consulting
App Development Manager → Coordinates and manages new systems development
projects
Project Manager → Manages a particular new systems dev project
Systems Manager → Manages a particular existing system
Operations Manager → Supervises the day-to-day operations of the data and/or
computer centre
Programming Manager → Coordinates all apps' programming efforts
Systems Analyst → Interfaces between users and programmers; determines info
requirement and technical specifications for new apps
,Business Analyst → Focues on designing solutions for business problems; interfaces
closely with users to demonstrate how IT can be used innovatively
Systems Programmer → Creates the computer code for developing new systems
software of maintaining existing systems software
Apps Programmer → Creates the computer code for maintaining or developing new
apps
Emerging Tech Manager → Forecasts tech trends; evaluates and experiments with new
tech
Network Manager → Coordinates and manages the org's voice and data networks
Database Administrator → Manages the org's databases and oversees the use of
database-management software
Auditing or Computer Security Manager → Oversees the ethical and legal use of IS and
evaluates the quality or effectiveness of such systems
Webmaster → Manages the org's World Wide Web site
Web Designer → Creates world wide web sites and pages
1.1 CIO - CORRECT ANSWER-Highest ranking IS manager; is responsible for all
strategic IS planning in the org
1.1 IS Director - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages all systems through the org & the day-
to-day operations of the entire IS org
1.1 Info Centre Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages IS services like helpdesks,
hotlines, training, consulting
1.1 App Development Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Coordinates and manages new
systems development projects
1.1 Project Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages a particular new systems dev
project
1.1 Systems Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages a particular existing system
1.1 Operations Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Supervises the day-to-day operations
of the data and/or computer centre
1.1 Programming Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Coordinates all apps' programming
efforts
1.1 Systems Analyst - CORRECT ANSWER-Interfaces between users and
programmers; determines info requirement and technical specifications for new apps
1.1 Business Analyst - CORRECT ANSWER-Focuses on designing solutions for
business problems; interfaces closely with users to demonstrate how IT can be used
innovatively
,1.1 Systems Programmer - CORRECT ANSWER-Creates the computer code for
developing new systems software of maintaining existing systems software
1.1 Apps Programmer - CORRECT ANSWER-Creates the computer code for
maintaining or developing new apps
1.1 Emerging Tech Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Forecasts tech trends; evaluates
and experiments with new tech
1.1 Network Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Coordinates and manages the org's voice
and data networks
1.1 Databas Administrator - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages the org's databases and
oversees the use of database-management software
1.1 Auditing or Computer Security Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Oversees the
ethical and legal use of IS and evaluates the quality or effectiveness of such systems
1.1 Webmaster - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages the org's World Wide Web site
1.1 Web Designer - CORRECT ANSWER-Creates world wide web sites and pages
1.1 Why may managing ISs be difficult? - CORRECT ANSWER-In some cases, firms
create such a dependence on IS that they cannot function w/o it
IS is very expensive to acquire, operate, and maintain
Evolution of MIS fnc w/in the org; As opposed to early 1950s, we see end user
computing which is comprised of 2 components:
→ End-user data entry, reporting and inquiry (aka "users")
→ End-user development users develop usable systems using programming
languages or other dev tools
- Division of responsibilities is difficult
1.1 Traditional Functions of MIS Department - CORRECT ANSWER-Managing systems
dev & project mgmt
Managing computer operating
Staffing, training, and developing IS skills
Providing technical services
Infrastructure planning, development and control
, 1.1 New Functions of the MIS Dept - CORRECT ANSWER-CONSULTATIVE - Users
exercise primary responsibility and MIS acts as an advisor
Initiating and designing specific strategic IS
Incorporating the Internet and e-commerce into the business
Managing system integration, including the Internet, intranets, and extranets
Educating non-MIS managers about IT
Educating the MIS staff about the business
Partnering with business unit executives
Managing outsourcing
Proactively using business and tech knowledge to seed innovative ideas about IT
Creating business alliance w/business partners
1.2 What is the purpose of IS? - CORRECT ANSWER-Purpose of IS → getting the right
info to the right people at the right time in the right amount and in the right format
The management IS functional area has many names, but deals primarily with the
planning for (and dev, mgmt. and use of) info tech tools to help people perform all the
tasks related to info processing and mgmt.
1.2 Data items, info, and knowledge - CORRECT ANSWER-Elementary descriptions of
things, events, activities and transactions that are recorded, classified, and stored but
are not organised to convey any specific meaning
Data that have been organised so that they have meaning and value to the recipient
Consists of data and/or info that have been organised and processed to convey
understanding, experience, accumulated learning, and expertise as they apply to a
current business problem
1.2 Computer Based IS - CORRECT ANSWER-An IS that uses computer tech to
perform some or all of its intended tasks
- Most IS are computerised, not all
1.2 Basic components of CBIS - CORRECT ANSWER-Hardware: Consists of devices
such as the processor, monitor, keyboard, and printer. Together, these devices accept,
process, and display data and info
University
1.0 Information Technology - CORRECT ANSWER-Any computer based tool that
people use to work with information and to support the info and info-processing needs
of an organisation
1.0 Information Systems - CORRECT ANSWER-Collects, processes, stores, analyses
and disseminates info for a specific purpose
1.1 Why Should I Study Information Systems? - CORRECT ANSWER-Current
generation practices continuous computing, surrounded by a movable information
network, created by constant cooperation between digital devices, wired and wireless
networks, and Web-based tools for find info and communicating with others.
Need to study IS and IT to become an informed user
1.1 Informed User - CORRECT ANSWER-A person knowledgeable about IS and IT;
subsequently will be able to
→ Receive greater benefit from organisation's IT applications
→ Be in a position to enhance the quality of your org's IT applications
→ Quickly be in a position to recommend the IT apps your org will use
→ Easier to stay "on top of things" which helps to anticipate what "new and improved
tech" will arise and how to best implement it
→ Understand how using IT can improve performance, teamwork and productivity
→ Entrepreneurial advantage
1.1 Careers in IT (list) - CORRECT ANSWER-CIO → Highest ranking IS manager; is
responsible for all stategic IS planning in the org
IS Director → Manages all systems through the org & the day-to-day operations of the
entire IS org
Information Centre Manager → Manages IS services like helpdesks, hotlines, training,
consulting
App Development Manager → Coordinates and manages new systems development
projects
Project Manager → Manages a particular new systems dev project
Systems Manager → Manages a particular existing system
Operations Manager → Supervises the day-to-day operations of the data and/or
computer centre
Programming Manager → Coordinates all apps' programming efforts
Systems Analyst → Interfaces between users and programmers; determines info
requirement and technical specifications for new apps
,Business Analyst → Focues on designing solutions for business problems; interfaces
closely with users to demonstrate how IT can be used innovatively
Systems Programmer → Creates the computer code for developing new systems
software of maintaining existing systems software
Apps Programmer → Creates the computer code for maintaining or developing new
apps
Emerging Tech Manager → Forecasts tech trends; evaluates and experiments with new
tech
Network Manager → Coordinates and manages the org's voice and data networks
Database Administrator → Manages the org's databases and oversees the use of
database-management software
Auditing or Computer Security Manager → Oversees the ethical and legal use of IS and
evaluates the quality or effectiveness of such systems
Webmaster → Manages the org's World Wide Web site
Web Designer → Creates world wide web sites and pages
1.1 CIO - CORRECT ANSWER-Highest ranking IS manager; is responsible for all
strategic IS planning in the org
1.1 IS Director - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages all systems through the org & the day-
to-day operations of the entire IS org
1.1 Info Centre Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages IS services like helpdesks,
hotlines, training, consulting
1.1 App Development Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Coordinates and manages new
systems development projects
1.1 Project Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages a particular new systems dev
project
1.1 Systems Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages a particular existing system
1.1 Operations Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Supervises the day-to-day operations
of the data and/or computer centre
1.1 Programming Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Coordinates all apps' programming
efforts
1.1 Systems Analyst - CORRECT ANSWER-Interfaces between users and
programmers; determines info requirement and technical specifications for new apps
1.1 Business Analyst - CORRECT ANSWER-Focuses on designing solutions for
business problems; interfaces closely with users to demonstrate how IT can be used
innovatively
,1.1 Systems Programmer - CORRECT ANSWER-Creates the computer code for
developing new systems software of maintaining existing systems software
1.1 Apps Programmer - CORRECT ANSWER-Creates the computer code for
maintaining or developing new apps
1.1 Emerging Tech Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Forecasts tech trends; evaluates
and experiments with new tech
1.1 Network Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Coordinates and manages the org's voice
and data networks
1.1 Databas Administrator - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages the org's databases and
oversees the use of database-management software
1.1 Auditing or Computer Security Manager - CORRECT ANSWER-Oversees the
ethical and legal use of IS and evaluates the quality or effectiveness of such systems
1.1 Webmaster - CORRECT ANSWER-Manages the org's World Wide Web site
1.1 Web Designer - CORRECT ANSWER-Creates world wide web sites and pages
1.1 Why may managing ISs be difficult? - CORRECT ANSWER-In some cases, firms
create such a dependence on IS that they cannot function w/o it
IS is very expensive to acquire, operate, and maintain
Evolution of MIS fnc w/in the org; As opposed to early 1950s, we see end user
computing which is comprised of 2 components:
→ End-user data entry, reporting and inquiry (aka "users")
→ End-user development users develop usable systems using programming
languages or other dev tools
- Division of responsibilities is difficult
1.1 Traditional Functions of MIS Department - CORRECT ANSWER-Managing systems
dev & project mgmt
Managing computer operating
Staffing, training, and developing IS skills
Providing technical services
Infrastructure planning, development and control
, 1.1 New Functions of the MIS Dept - CORRECT ANSWER-CONSULTATIVE - Users
exercise primary responsibility and MIS acts as an advisor
Initiating and designing specific strategic IS
Incorporating the Internet and e-commerce into the business
Managing system integration, including the Internet, intranets, and extranets
Educating non-MIS managers about IT
Educating the MIS staff about the business
Partnering with business unit executives
Managing outsourcing
Proactively using business and tech knowledge to seed innovative ideas about IT
Creating business alliance w/business partners
1.2 What is the purpose of IS? - CORRECT ANSWER-Purpose of IS → getting the right
info to the right people at the right time in the right amount and in the right format
The management IS functional area has many names, but deals primarily with the
planning for (and dev, mgmt. and use of) info tech tools to help people perform all the
tasks related to info processing and mgmt.
1.2 Data items, info, and knowledge - CORRECT ANSWER-Elementary descriptions of
things, events, activities and transactions that are recorded, classified, and stored but
are not organised to convey any specific meaning
Data that have been organised so that they have meaning and value to the recipient
Consists of data and/or info that have been organised and processed to convey
understanding, experience, accumulated learning, and expertise as they apply to a
current business problem
1.2 Computer Based IS - CORRECT ANSWER-An IS that uses computer tech to
perform some or all of its intended tasks
- Most IS are computerised, not all
1.2 Basic components of CBIS - CORRECT ANSWER-Hardware: Consists of devices
such as the processor, monitor, keyboard, and printer. Together, these devices accept,
process, and display data and info
